-
Articles/Ads
Article THE MASONS OF THE MIDDLE AGES. Page 1 of 14 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masons Of The Middle Ages.
THE MASONS OF THE MIDDLE AGES .
( Continued and completed from page 02 . )
CHAPTER III . ERWIN was born at Steinbach ; his parents belonged to the middle class . Like all the artisans of the middle ages , he had commenced life by being a hewer of stone , a simple
Apprentice , then a Fellow-Craft , ancl at last a Master Mason . His life had been passed in travelling , in order to perfect himself in his art , only staying where cathedrals were to be built . It was in this manner that he arrived at Strasburg , where he settled , on being received into the corps of Architects . Erwin Avas at this period an artist of great celebrity ancl
extensive reputation . In a short time he acquired an immense influence over his companions , and some years after his arrival he was elected Master of the Works , which was one of the highest dignities of the Association . A great number of Freemasons' Lodges already existed in England ; Erwin instituted a similar Lodge at Strasburg , and the Emperor Rodolph granted him the necessary dispensations about the vear 1275 .
This institution was assuredly the result of a generous thought . It was to give rise to a Fraternity amongst the artisans of the middle ages , and to prepare a grand and noble Association for the future , where they would preserve the traditions of the past . All the members of this Society , though only hewers of stone , united by the love of their art ,
could thus travel through France , England , Germany , and Europe , as yet scarcely civilized , ancl be certain to find , wherever they stayed , that fraternal hospitality which , on the return to their country , they would know how to practise towards those whom they called Brethren . " Favoured by the system of election and association"
, says Daniel Rainee , — " ruled by an intellectual and moral hierarchy , which placed the most worthy in the chair ( as Master ) , no wonder that the fine arts in a short time flourished , and that the building of churches rapidly increased .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masons Of The Middle Ages.
THE MASONS OF THE MIDDLE AGES .
( Continued and completed from page 02 . )
CHAPTER III . ERWIN was born at Steinbach ; his parents belonged to the middle class . Like all the artisans of the middle ages , he had commenced life by being a hewer of stone , a simple
Apprentice , then a Fellow-Craft , ancl at last a Master Mason . His life had been passed in travelling , in order to perfect himself in his art , only staying where cathedrals were to be built . It was in this manner that he arrived at Strasburg , where he settled , on being received into the corps of Architects . Erwin Avas at this period an artist of great celebrity ancl
extensive reputation . In a short time he acquired an immense influence over his companions , and some years after his arrival he was elected Master of the Works , which was one of the highest dignities of the Association . A great number of Freemasons' Lodges already existed in England ; Erwin instituted a similar Lodge at Strasburg , and the Emperor Rodolph granted him the necessary dispensations about the vear 1275 .
This institution was assuredly the result of a generous thought . It was to give rise to a Fraternity amongst the artisans of the middle ages , and to prepare a grand and noble Association for the future , where they would preserve the traditions of the past . All the members of this Society , though only hewers of stone , united by the love of their art ,
could thus travel through France , England , Germany , and Europe , as yet scarcely civilized , ancl be certain to find , wherever they stayed , that fraternal hospitality which , on the return to their country , they would know how to practise towards those whom they called Brethren . " Favoured by the system of election and association"
, says Daniel Rainee , — " ruled by an intellectual and moral hierarchy , which placed the most worthy in the chair ( as Master ) , no wonder that the fine arts in a short time flourished , and that the building of churches rapidly increased .