¤ Regious Manuscript Commentary

Awhile back, I sent out a document titled "Origin.txt" which contained information relating to the written record of Masonry over the last few hundred years. Central to the documents is a famous text, "The Regius Manuscript" which vitally illustrates the age of the venerable institution of Masonry. Brother Edward Punt was kind enough to forward to me two copies of the manuscript. "Regiusold.txt" is the Chauceran English version of the work while "Regiusmod.txt" gives a more modern English translation of the contents. Knowing the interest that the membership has, I am sending both along with this commentary. Please,
write me and tell me if the material is worthwhile.

"The Regius Manuscript"gets its name from the fact that King George II presented it to the British Museum in 1757, forty years after the establishment of the first Grand Lodge of England in on June 24th, 1717. It is estimated that it was composed around 1390, but its roots
certainly reach back much further. We read in Article one of the verse that "Thys craft com ynto Englond, as y zow say, Yn tyme of good kynge Adelstonus day" - "This craft came into England, as I you say, In the time of King Athelstane's day." Though the document fails to mention the origin of the craft in England previous to this time, an examin ation of the events of King Atelstane's country, may provide the necessary clues.

The early histories and events that led to an organized, independent kingdom were as complicated as the civil struggles and conflicts of worship which arose in these ancient times. It took many centuries to sort out, and some who view the nature of Great Britain may perceive strong indications that these forces manifest themselves today. The settlements of Kent, Wright and their neighboring regions were founded by the Jutes while the South was still occupied by the Saxons and the North controlled by the Angles. The fight for supremacy occurred over 150 years and resulted in the Teutonic tribes mastering the southern portion of Britain. Wales, West Wales and Strathclyde remained independent. Seven of the strongest territories formed a union known historically as the Heptarchy. Through the practice of annexation, Egbert succeeded in commanding sovereignty over the seven kingdoms by 827. It was this initial settlement that the name England first came to be applied.

Christianity at this time took a firm foothold in the new kingdom. The original English leaders were strangers to the new religion and prior to the conquest of the Danes they were introduced to its influences one by one until it reached its full strength in the 7th Century. During Egbert's reign, they continued to make incursions. Egbert was succeeded
by Alfred the Great in 871 who successfully defeated the Danes at Ethandune in 878. Also known as the King of Wessex, Alfred continued to stave off Danish aggression and was succeeded by Edward I, King of Wessex in 901. After a reign of 24 years, Athlestane became the first to be called King of England and his reign lasted 15 years. His suc cessors, Edmund I, Edred, Edwy had brief and tumultuous reigns lasting six, nine, and four years respectively. It wasn't until Edgar's sixteen year service that the country regained limited stability.

We can imagine, in this ruthless and difficult time, that few knew what we take for granted in the twentieth Century. That individuals and their families are entitled to a secure and comfortable life, and that good work is essential to its acquisition. The text explains that
among those who desired such richness "A cownsel togeder they cowthe hem take; to ordyne for these chyldryn sake, How they mysth best lede here lyfe Withoute fret desese, care and styrge, And most for the multytude that was comynge Of here chyldryn after here zyndynge. sende thenne after grete clerkys To techyn hem thenne gode werkys;"- "A cousel together they could them take, To ordain for these children's sake, Without great disease, care and strife, And most for the multitude that was coming Of their children after great clerks, To teach them then good works;" that this Poem of Moral Duties passed from Mason to Mason at each and every assembly, was composed by our ancient Brethren as their legacy for us.

In it is contained the roots of the modern Master Mason's obligations and charges. Some of which has been excluded for the benefit of modern Masonry, but mostly still in tact. Under the plural constitutions, the master mason is charged with the responsibility of "His mayster
conswel he kepe and close, And hys felows by hys goode purpose; The prevetyse of the chamber telle he no man,"- "His Master's counsel he keep and close, and his fellows by his good purpose; the privities of the chamber tell he no man." Under the Fourth point we find, "The fowrythe poynt techyth us alse, that no mon to hys craft be false;" "The fourth point teaches us also, that no man to his craft be false." Under the seventh point we find the admonishment to Masons to honor the institution of marriage and an eloquent explanation of the consequences for not doing so. Most meaningfull to me is the ancient inspiration to whisper good counsel which is expressed in this passage:

"The eleventhe poynte is of good dyscrecyoun,
As ze mowe know by good resoun;
A mason, and he thys craft wel con,
That syzth hys felow hwen a ston,
Amende hyt sone, zef that thou con,
And teche hym thenne hyt to amende,
That the lordys werke be not y-schende,
And teche hym esely hyt to amende."

"The eleventh point is of good discretion,
As you must know by good reason;
A mason, if he this craft well know,
That seeth his fellow hew on a stone,
And is in point to spoil that stone,
Amende it soon if thou can,
And teach him then it to amend,
That the lord's work be not spoiled,
And teach him easily to amend."

Though the language can be difficult even in the modern translation, the importance of the noble tenets of Masonry his not diminished over the many centuries since its inception. Please share its contents with the Craft at your lodge and let me know what reactions this
ancient text precipitates.

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