A Brief History of the Constitutional Lodge 294 INTRODUCTION 1993 saw the celebration of the Bi-Centenary of the CONSTITUTIONAL LODGE number 294, in the Province of Yorkshire North and East Riding. An ancient lodge, in an ancient town. This history was written at the time and W Bro Gavin Collinson PPGReg our Lodge Librarian/Archivist (who was a prime mover in creating it in 1993) has now transcribed it for use on the website. In an area of such antiquity it would be expected that Freemasonry would have started early. One would perhaps expect that speculative masonry would have commenced in connection with the collegiate church of St. John of Beverley, The Minster. This is not the case, however, although Beverley is the host to St. John's masonry. Operative Masonry, as you are aware, has its origins deep in history with masons working (since the days of ancient Egypt) on buildings of importance and note which required finishing, to a higher degree than the normal buildings of those days. Raising the quality of work beyond that crude, rough level attained by labourers. The skills required to shape stone were passed on by a Master Mason to his apprentices over long periods of training. They were regarded as secret and were well guarded by those who possessed them. A mason travelled from town to town to participate in whatever major work was taking place and would meet with other Masons in order to discuss working methods and share their secrets. They did this in lodges, groups of masons would meet together discuss their work and dine together, this latter dining was an expression of hospitality extended to fellow masons. Looking at the town of Beverley with its exceptional churches; The Minster (built in the 13th century) and St. Mary's (built during the l4th century) and its many other buildings of architectural interest it is certain that Operative Masons visited the town many centuries ago. Indeed, in the buildings mentioned, Operative Stonemasons have left their marks. The origins of Free and Accepted or Speculative Freemasonry are not clear, arguments abound as to whether it developed from Operative masons lodges (believed a possible origin in Scotland) or independently as a 'club' which used aspects of operative masonry in a symbolic way (a possible origin of English Freemasonry) it was first mentioned in this country in 162l with 'the Acception in the London company of Freemasons, and with the intention of a ceremony taking place, the Making of Elias Ashmole, in Warrington on 16th October 1645, although this ceremony is believed to be predated by that of Sir Robert Moray in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1640. It is of no great surprise to note that the spread of Freemasonry was quite slow and it did not reach the Beverley area until around 1729 with a lodge THE THREE TUNS in Scarborough. In 1759 a lodge number, 252 was constituted at The COCK without Mightongate (Mytongate) in Hull, this lodge was later known as The BLACK BULL. At this time several lodges were formed in Hull most of them were short lived, however the RODNEY lodge (346) existed from 1782 to 1820 and the MINERVA lodge formed in 1783 still exists. As you can see most lodges were known by the Names of the taverns where they met, as in those days a lodge would meet in a private room (a club room) at a particular tavern. The private rooms were not purpose built and would have to be prepared every time it was required for a lodge. The sand, which covered the floor of the room, would be swept away by the Tyler, who would then 'draw' the lodge (in the form of a Tracing Board) on the floor. The business of the lodge would take place, after which it was the candidates’ job to clean the floor. The business of the lodge would be somewhat different to that which we see today, the ceremonies would be shorter and the Festive board may have been taken before, during or after the Lodge itself, with drinking, eating and smoking taking place in the Lodge. Enough of Freemasonry in General what of Freemasonry in Beverley and particularly of the CONSTITUTIONAL LODGE number 294, which has had Beverley as its home continually for 200 years. The origins of the CONSTITUTIONAL LODGE lies in the formation of another lodge the ST. GEORGES EAST YORKSHIRE MILITIA LODGE number 442 (and then 356 and 460), which was constituted on 2 April 1782 at Newcastle upon Tyne by a warrant from the Grand Lodge of England (moderns). This Lodge was formed by members of the East Yorkshire Militia (also known as the Beverley Buffs) a volunteer military force which had been raised by the Lord Lieutenant of the County in order to combat an invasion threat by the French during the wars of 1778 to 1783. Towards the end of February 1783 the regiment marched to Kingston Upon Hull where it was disembodied, the headquarters of the regiment being located in Beverley. The lodge moved with the regiment and began meeting at the sign of The GOLDEN BALL in Toll Gavel Beverley (the site of Woolworths). It is significant that on 28 March 1783 a common brewer Robert Thorp aged 36 was initiated (he was the landlord of the Golden Ball). The lodge continued to meet there until 1792 when they moved to another tavern The BLACK BULL in Lairgate (now the TIGER). War with France started in 1792 (lasted until 1802) and during 1793 the Militia Regiment moved to Beccles in Suffolk, the lodge moving with it, it finally ceased to exist on 3rd June 1829. Before the move to Suffolk the interest which had been created in masonry in Beverley was realised in the formation of a daughter lodge the CONSTITUTIONAL LODGE. The reason for the name is not known as most lodges were named for the place they met or for the body they represented. However, due to the uncertain political climate at the time of the war with France it is thought likely that the name is a declaration of Loyalty, an alternative is that the name was a statement of intent by the members to stick by the 'constitutions'. THE CONSTITUTIONAL LODGE The first meeting of the daughter lodge the CONSTITUTIONAL LODGE number 525 was held by Dispensation on the 8th March 1793 at the GOLDEN BALL in TOLL GAVEL BEVERLEY. Present at this meeting were: Bro. W. ACKLAM RWM Bro. R. PEACOCK Pro SD R. TAYLOR SW J. BATESON Pro JD J. PRATTMAN JW T. ACKLOM T. WHITAKER Sec R. THORP Pro TYLER It was ordered that Bro THORP present the following letter to the absent resident Brethren in Beverley:- Brother, This is to acquaint you that a Dispensation arrived the 7th inst., empowering us to act in all Masonic Business, and that a Meeting was held by the Master and Wardens therein appointed, and a many of the Brethren was present on the 8th instant, and it was then agreed that a Meeting should be held on Friday, the 15th inst. to transact Business in the Masonic line, when and where your company is desired at 7 o'clock, at Bro. Thorp's, the Golden Ball. By Order Thos. WHITAKER, secty. Meetings of the Lodge took place by way of the dispensation from the Provincial Grand Lodge on March 15th and 22nd, April 5th and 17th and May 3rd, and Masons were made and Joining Members from the Mother Lodge were admitted on payment of a fee of 2/6 each. A Lodge Certificate issued at that time would have been worded thus; A Copy of a Certificate. The Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not.- Let your Light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Supreme Grand Master who is in heaven-from the East where dwells peace. WE the undersigned Master, Wardens, and other Officers of the Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons known by the Name of Constitutional Lodge, English Constitution held in Beverley in the County of York, in the Kingdom of England; Do HEREBY CERFTIFY and attest to all Brethren on the face of the Earth that our well-beloved Brother W. A. has been under due and regular Vouches made E.P. passed F.C. and raised to that sublime Degree of M.M. &c., and in all these degrees behaved himself as a faithful and worthy Brother amongst us, and as such we recommend him to all regular Brethren to be admitted after due examination to the friendly Mysteries and secret Ceremonies thereof, and that no profane hands may make an ill use hereof, our Brother has set his Name in his own hand writing under the Seal of our Lodge so that by causing the Bearer to write his Name in your presence you will be able to judge whether this be his Certificate or not, Sealed with our Lodge Seal and Signed by us at our Lodge in Beverley aforesaid this day of A.M. 5793, A.D. 1793 To the Worshipful Master &c. &c. } Master of all regular Lodges, } Wardens T. W., Secretary. On May 13th the Worshipful Master (who was referred to as Brother Worshipful) proposed that the 'Constitution' should be framed and glazed and decisions were taken as to the format and timing of the Consecration and Festival. The question of whether it should be on St Johns Day in June or in December was put to the members and a date in June decided upon.