The "Arms" Of The Freemasons In England.

THE "ARMS" OF THE FREEMASONS IN ENGLAND .

WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . THE " Arms " of the English Freemasons have been subject to several additions and a few changes , the greatest change being

that effected in consequence of the Union of the " Moderns" and " Ancients , " in December , 1813 . It appears from the most reliable authority that ihe " Craft and Fellowship of Masons " were distinguished with "Arms" in the reign of

, King Edward IV ., by " William Haivlcesloio , Clarenseux Ring of Arms , " and the grant was confirmed by similar powers in the time of Henry VIII . An interesting account of these "Arms " will be found in the " Masonic Cyclop _ edia" now being

, edited by Bro . the Eev . A . F . A . AVoodford , M . A ., also a facsimile of the original , now lodged in the British Museum , forms a most appropriate frontispiece to the Masonic Magazine of September , 1 S 74 , they were described in early days as " A

field of sablys , a chevron silver graded , three castellis of the same garnyshed ivith dores and wyndows of the feld , iu the chevron a curnpas of blake . " The Grand Lodge of England (" Moderns" ) undoubtedly adopted these Arms of the Operative Masonsand wisely sobecause

, , in harmony with its traditional and actual history . " Supporters" were added , but when and why we are not told , though the two animals selected for the purpose evidently also point to the operative ori gin of our Fraternity in early days , whatever may

have been its mixed character in the century preceding the formation of the premier Grand Lodge . The " Arms " of the Grand Lodge of England ( of A . D . 1717 ) may be described as follows : " azure on a chevron between three Castles argent , a pair of compasses somewhat extended of the first ; Supporters Beavers , Proper ; Crest , a Dove . " * In the " Office Seal" there

was simply the Crest , and below the Arms a portion of a Pedestal , with a ribbon across bearing the words " Grand Lod ge of England . " The " Charter Seal , " however , had a helmet below the Crest , and under the "Arms" were some tools

scattered , and the motto "Relief and Truth . " Around the whole in a garter were the words , " Seal of the Grand Lod ge of Masons , London . " At least these are the characteristics of the old Seals preserved in the Grand Secretary ' s office .

The "Grand Lodge of all England , " formed at York A . D . 1725 , from the ancient Lodge ivhich had met for many years before that period in the famous City , were " Three Crowns , " both on obverse and reverse of Sealand the words on the one side

, being " Sigil : Frat : Ebor : Per : Edwin : Coll : x , " and on the other side , " Sigiilum Edwini Northum : Begis : " "A . D . 926 also distinguished the former , the latter above the shield containing the three Crowns . These "Arms" ceased to

distinguish any Masonic Body when this distinguished Grand Lodge collapsed late in the last century . The Arms of the " Grand Lodge ,

according to the Old Constitutions ( 'Ancients' ) " were of a very unpretentious character at first . The Grand Lodge virtually commenced its checquered career A . D . 1753 , and about that year adopted a Square and Compasses within a circle , with a dagger belowaround being the words ,

, " Grand Lodge , London ; " Motto , " Virtue and Silence . " Later on , however , and as its prospects brightened , a much more elaborate " coat" was prepared ( doubtless by Brother Dermott ) , as follows : " Quarterly per squarescountercharged

, vert . In the first quarter azure , a lion rampant or ; in the second quarter or , an ox passant sable ; in the third quarter or , a man with hands erect , proper , robed crimson and ermine ; and in the fourth quarter , an eagle displayed or . Crest , the

ark of the covenant proper , supporters being two cherubims . " The Motto was " Kodes le Adonai" ( Holiness to the Lord ) . Around the " Charter Seal" still preserved in the Grand Lodge were the words , "Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons according to the Old Institutions . " We need not give the fanciful account of Bro . Dermott's as to the origin of