practicalguideto00unse_0

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JUDGES' LODGINGS,
Xendal, is a large, plain building of brick ; stands back
from the street, has a double flight of steps in front, and
is used by the Judges as a residence when presiding at the
:^k.ssizes
THE MASONIC HALL,
Within the enclosure in Duncombe Street, opposite the
Eoman Catholic Pro- Cathedral of St. Wilfrid, is a stone
building with Grecian portico and entablature, bearing
the motto Audi^ vide^ tace^'' and is used by the brethren
of the York Lodge of Freemasons, No. 236 on the roll of
the Grand Lodge of England-—the Zetland Chapter, No.
236— and the Ancient Ebor Preceptory of the Knights
Templars, No. 101, of York. As the early history of
Masonry in this country is so closely identified with the
city of York, we add a few notes which may prove interesting
to the general reader.
It was here that the first Grand Lodge of All England was
held (about 600 or 627 a.d.) under Edwin, the first Christian
King of Northumbria, who presided as Grand Master, and laid
the foundation of the Cathedral. This tradition, supported as
it is by valuable independent testimony, acknowledges York
to be, if not the birthplace, at least the primitive authoritative
seat of Masonry in England. A guild charter was also g:^anted
to the craft by King Athelstane in 926, during whose reign it
is more than probable that another general assembly of
Masons was held in the city. The fortunes and influence of
the Order varied through successive years with the cha^nging
character of the times—occasionally languishing from
neglect, then again reviving under more propitious days---
but always acknowledging allegiance to the seat of Masonic
government, the Grand Lodge at York,
To this Order we owe such architectural monuments as the
Abbey of Westminster, the Tower of London, the Temple,
York Minster, several of our cathedrals, and other structures.
Until the reign of Queen Elizabeth the members of the
Masonic body consisted almost entirely of operatives, but about
this time many noblemen and gentlemen seeking admission
were initiated and enrolled as speculative participators in the
customs and usages of the Order, which now embraces in its
jranks all classes of men, from the crowned heads of civilised