INCORPORATION OF THE LONDON MASONS.

Freemasons Monthly Magazine - 1842

THE following notice of the Incorporation of the Masons
of the city of London, will probably be new to many of our
readers. It may be found in Maitland's History of that city:-

"Masons, No. 30. - By the arms granted this society by
William Hanckestow, Clarencieux-King at Arms, in 1477,
it appears to be of considerable antiquity; however it was
only incorporated, by letters patent, of the 29th of Charles
II. Sept. 77, Anno 1677, by the name of the Master,
Wardens, Assistants and Commonalty, of the company of
Masons of the city of London."

"Their armorial ensigns are azure on a chevron between
three castles argent, a pair of compasses somewhat
extended of the first. Crest a castle of the second."

This incorporation of course included the operatives of
the Freemasons, who, in their society, make use of the
same armorial bearings, which originally belonged to
them.

The following are extracts from the Act of Incorporation
(or Letters Patent) of the present Grand Lodge of
England

"GEORGE THE THIRD, by the Grace of God, of Great
Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith,
TO ALL, to whom these PRESENTS shall come,
Greeting, WHEREAS the SOCIETY Of FREE and
ACCEPTED MASONS have for Ages held frequent
meetings within this Realm, and have ever demeaned
themselves with Duty and Loyalty to Us and our
Predecessors, with Reverence and Obedience to the
Laws, and Kindness and Good Will to their Fellow Sub-
jects: And whereas, the said Society appears to have
been originally instituted for humane and beneficent
Purposes, and have distributed, from Time to Time to all
without Distinction, who have had the single Claim of
Wretchedness, Sums to a great Amount, collected by
voluntary Contribution among themselves."

"NOW, KNOW YE, That WE, out of Our Princely Regard
to a Body of Men, associated for such laudable Purposes,
willing to manifest to the World our entire Approbation of
their past Conduct, and desirous to enable them to
answer more effectually the humane Ends of their
Institution, of Our especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and
mere Motion, have ordained, given and granted," &c.

POTS
From its origin to the present hour, in all its vicissitudes, Masonry
has been the steady unwearing friend of man. - Rev. Erastus Burr