1891/159

Inigo Jones MS., or ‘ The Ancient Constitution of the Free and Accepted Masons, 1607.”

Date:- 1720 -

UGLE Classification:- BE 94 ANC - Government and Organisation of the Craft: Constitutions and Laws, Texts

WMLMT Classification:- Constitutions,Regulations

Country of Origin:- England -

Order:- Craft (& Freemasonry General)

Details

This noble document was sold by public auction in London, but escaped the notice of the Craft, until the late Bro. Woodford heard of it, and purchased the MS. from Messrs. Pickering and Co. On his decease the valuable manuscript was again sold by auction, Bro. George Kenning securing it and, with numerous other articles, placed it in a remarkable catalogue of “Masonic Books and MSS.,” dated “No. 1, October, 1885.” I need not say that, through the medium of the Telegraph, Bro. Taylor became the fortunate purchaser, other brethren being “too late” in their orders by post. The frontispiece, Masons at Work, is a novelty with copies of the ‘ Old Charges,” and renders this a special treasure, as also the ornamental letters and “finials,” and as it was considered by Bro. Woodford “pretty certain that it did belong to Inigo Jones,” he lost no time in having it transcribed and printed in the “Masonic Magazine” for July 1881 Since then the period of its caligraphy has been assigned to the latter part of the 17th century, though it is still probable it was a copy—possibly with occasional variations, from a MS. of 1607 ; but, in either case, whether of 1607, or 1670, it is a treasure. The text resembles that of the “Spencer,” and “Cole” MSS., the latter being in this Library (1st edit., 1728-9). For reasons mentioned, but not to me satisfactory, Dr. Begemann, an able critic and zealous Craftsman, relegates the document to post 1723; but I doubt his taking that view, if he actually saw the document.

Properties

Vellum.