The Freemasons And Architecture In England.

960 , when the fraternity were again collected by St . Dunstan , under whose auspices they were employed 011 some pious structures . Under the patronage of Edward the Confessor , Blasonry , which had fallen into desuetude , revived . He rebuilt

Westminster Abbey , assisted by Leofric Earl of Coventry , whom he appointed to superintend the Masons . The Abbey of Coventry and many other structures were finished by this accomplished architect , who was the husband of the celebrated Lady

Godiva , the legend , concerning which Tennyson has weaved into a charming poem , no doubt well known to the leaders of the " Blasonic Blagazine . " When William the Conqueror acquired the crown of England , he appointed

Randulph Bishop of Rochester , and Roger de Montgomery , Earl of Shrewsbury , joint patrons of the Blasons , who at this time excelled both iu civil and military architecture . Under their auspices the fraternity were employed in building the Tower of London . *

King Stephen employe * the fraternity in building the Chapel at Westminster ( the old House of Commons ) and several other works . These were finished under the direction of Gilbert de Clare , Earl of Pembroke , who at this time presided over the lodges .

On the accession of Edward I ., A . D . 1272 , the care of the Blasons was entrusted to Walter Giffard , Archbishop of York , when Westminster Abbey was finished . In the reign of Edward II . the fraternity were employed in building Exeter

and Oriel Colleges , Oxford , and Clare Hall , Cambridge , under the auspices of BValter Stapleton , Bishop of Exeter , who had been appointed Grand Blaster in 1307 . Blasonry flourished under Edward III . He patronized the lodges , and appointed

four deputies under him to inspect the proceedings of the fraternity , viz ., John de Sponlee , who rebuilt St . George ' s Chapel at Windsor , where the Order of the Garter was first instituted ; j William a Wykeham , afterwards Bishop of Winchester , who re .

built the Castle of Windsor at the head of 400 Freemasons , A . D . 1357 ( 1364 ?); Robert a Barnham , who finished St . George ' s Hall , at the head of 250 Freemasons ; Henry Yenle , called in the old records the King ' s Freemason , who built

the Charterhouse , in London ; King ' s Hall , Cambridge ; Queensborough Castle ; and rebuilt St . Stephen ' s Chapel , BVestminster ; and Simon Langham , Abbot of Westminster , who rebuilt the body of that Cathedral as it now stands .

When Richard II . ascended the throne , William a BV ykeham was continued Grand Blaster . He rebuilt "Westminster Hall as it now stands , and employed the fraternity in building New College , Oxford , and Winchester College , both of which he

founded at his own expense . Henry IV . appointed Thomas Fitzallen , Earl of Surrey , Grand Blaster . In this reign the Guildhall of London was built ( 1416 ?) . In the reign of Henry V . Henry

Chicheley , Archbishop of Canterbury , obtained the direction of the fraternity . Henry IV . presided in person over . the lodges , and nominated William Wanefleet , Bishop of Winchester , Grand Blaster .

During the reign of Henry II . the Grand Blaster of the Knights Templar superintended the Blasons , and employed them in building the Temple in Fleet Street , A . D . 1155 . Blasonry continued under the patronage of this order until 1199 , and no doubt during this period

many Templars would join the Freemasons . When John succeeded his brother Richard on the throne of England , Peter de Colechurch was then appointed Grand Blaster . He began to rebuild London Bridge with stone , which was afterwards finished hv William Alcmain in 1209 . Peter de

Rupibus succeeded Peter de Colechurcb in the office of Grand Blaster . Geoffrey Fitz Peter , chief surveyor of the King ' s work , acted as his deputy . Under the auspices of these two artists , Blasonry flourished in England during the remainder of this and the following reign .

William Wanefleet built Magdalen College , Oxford , at his own expense . Eton College , aud King ' s College , Cambridge , wers founded in this reign , and finished under the direction of this Grand Master .