Freemasonry in Winchester

May 03, 2011 21:27

«It was a tradition of the German Masons that they were first formed into a brotherhood at the building of the Cathedral of Magdeburg, which was commenced about the year 1211. Bishop Lucy, a few years before, in 1202, created a company of builders for the construction of the Cathedral  of Winchester . Hence Findel suggests that they were most probably the founders of the Fraternity of Freemasons in England. We have no positive authority for this, but the coincidence of time is, at least, remarkable» (New Revised Enlarged Mackey’s History of Freemasonry by Robert Ingham Clegg with the co-operation of many eminent authorities including William James Hughan. vol. 3 The Masonic History Company, Chicago, New York, London. 1921). In 1552, John Poynet, Bishop of Winchester, became the patron of the fraternity, and presided over the lodges till the death of the king Edward VI in 1553.

Ye Olde Bargate Lodge: following the war, on 12th June 1946, there was a Masonic Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance in Winchester Cathedral, and brethren attended in full regalia.

Here we can see the Old Masonic Lodge of Winchester which was part demolished in 1990 to make way for the newsagents WH Smiths, but we still see today the masonic symbols on the outside.




The second painting is of Bishop William of Wykeham building Winchester College.



Having earlier requested burial with masonic honours, Jonathan Inggs’ funeral and interment by the west door of Winchester Cathedral in 1819 attracted a crowd of thousands and rated several columns in the local paper. His Brethren marked the grave with a footstone bearing the square and compasses and a headstone inscribed:

This Stone was erected by the Brethren
of Lodge CXI of
Free and Accepted Masons
As a Token of Refpect for their departed
Brother
JONATHAN INGGS
who received a summons from the
Great Architect of the Universe
at the hour of High Twelve on the
24th Day of October
AL 5819
AD1819

About a generation ago the headstone was smashed by vandals. Lodge of Economy, now No. 76, always hoped eventually to restore it. It was to mark the bicentenary of Chapter of Economy in 2003 that an operative mason, a member of the Lodge, cut the inscription on a replacement stone. Negotiations with the Dean and Chapter having finally borne fruit, the replica was recently erected and the grave restored to its original form.

See also: в 1996 г. Сергей Федоров выполнил девятифигурный Деисус (см. илл.) в крипте собора Винчестера (Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire, England). http://expertmus.livejournal.com/73559.html


расследование

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