The Freemasons And Architecture In England.

During the wars of the Roses Blasonry fell into almost total neglect till 14-71 , when it again revived under the auspices of Richard Beauchamp , Bishop of Sarum , who had been appointed Grand Blaster by Edward IV ., aud honoured with the title

of Chancellor of the Garter . During the short reigns of Edward V . and Richard III . Masonry was on the decline , but on the accession of Henry VII . it rose again into esteem under the patronage of the Blaster and Fellows of

the Order of St . John at Rhodes , near Malta , who assembled their Grand Lodge in 1500 , and chose Henry their protector , and it is probable that at this period the Knights joined our fraternity . So late as 1743 we find some of them expelled at

Blalta because they were Blasons . Previous to this , however , when Henry VI ., then a minor , succseded to the crown in 1422 , the Parliament endeavoured to disturb the Blasons , by passing the following Act to prohibit their chapters and conventions :

" 3 Henry VI ., cap . 1 , A . D . 1425 . " Blasons shall not confederate in chapters or congregations . Whereas , by the yearly congregation and confederacies made by the Blasons in their general assemblies , the good course and effect of the statutes of labourers be openly violated

and broken , in subversion of the law and to the great damage of all the commons , our Sovereign Lord the King , willing in this case to provide a remedy , by the advice and consent aforesaid , and at the special request of the commons , hath ordained and

established that such chapters aud congregations shall not be hereafter holden ; and if any such be made , they that cause such chapters and congregations to be assembled and holden , if they thereof be convict , shall be judged for felonsaud that the

, other Masons that come to such chapters or congregations be punished by imprisonment of their bodies , and make fine and ransom at the King ' s will . " Judge C ) ke is of opinion that this Act , though never expressly repealed , can have no force at

present . This Act was , however , never put in force , and notwithstanding this rigorous edict , lodges were formed in different parts of the kingdom , and tranquillity reigned among the fraternity . The Duke of Bedford was at this lime

Regent , but , being iu France , the regal power was invested in his brother Humphrey , Duke of Gloucester , who was styled protector . He was particularly attached to the Blasons , having been admitted into their order , and assisted at the initiation of King Henry in 1412 .

Henry Beaufort , Bishop of Winchester , and afterwards Cardinal , the Duke ' s uncle , had the care of the young . Kind ' s person and education , and as he aspired to the sole government of affairs , there arose continual disputes between the Bishop and his nephew the Protector . Hence this Act .

Dr . Anderson , a great authority on such matters , says : This Act was made in ignorant times , when true learning was a crime , and geometry condemned for conjuration . By tradition it is believed that the parliament was then too much influenced

by the illiterate clergy , who were not accepted Blasons , nor understood architecture as the clergy of some former ages , and consequently thought unworthy of this brotherhood . Thinking they had a right to know all secrets by virtue of auricular

confession , and the Masons never confessing anything thereof , the said clergy were hig hly offended , and at first suspecting them of wickedness represented them as dangerous to the State during that minority , and soon influenced the

parliament to lay hold of such arguments of the working Masons for making an Act that mig ht seem to reflect dishonour upon even the whole fraternity , in whose favour several Acts had before and after that period been made . Tt was fortunate for the Blasons that

Ouke Humphrey was Protector , for , knowing them to be innocent , he took them under his care , and transferred the charge of rebellion , sedition , and treason from them to the Bishops , who , however , procured a pardon from the King under the Great Seal" for all crimes whateverfrom

, , the creation of the world to the 26 th July , 14 / 3 . " Cardinal Beaufort , however , afterwards succeeded in procuring the murder of the good Duke of Gloucester , but survived him only two months . * A record in the reign of Edward IV .