Your Questions Answered

This page contains answers to a number of frequently asked questions about the collections of the Library and Museum and Freemasons’ Hall. More answers will be added from time to time.
If you have suggestions for questions which we can answer here please contact us.

Click on any question below to see the posted answer…

When was the Latin omitted from English Craft Certificates?

In January 1965 United Grand Lodge of England omitted Latin from Grand Lodge Certificates. The original Grand Lodge Certificates from 1755 until 1819 had been in English only. The Antients' Grand Lodge had issued certificates in English and Latin from 1766. In 1819 the United Grand Lodge of England started producing Certificates in both languages. For further information about the history of English Craft Certificates see T.O. Haunch's paper in Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Vol. 82, 1969 (class mark: A 31 QUA), or browse the subject "certificates" on the Library and Museum Catalogue.

What is a "lewis"?

A "lewis" is a Freemason's son, who has not yet been initiated into Freemasonry. In stonemasonry, a lewis is an iron cramp that is forced into a cavity of a stone to enable the lifting or lowering of that stone. Although it is not a working tool used in Masonic ritual it can be seen as a symbol of strength, which a son is to his father. Under some Masonic Constitutions "lewises" are granted privileges such as in Scotland where the son of a Master Mason can be initiated at the age of eighteen rather than twenty-one. In England the only privilege extended to a "lewis", is that he takes precedence if he is one of two candidates at initiation.

What is "Ahiman Rezon"?

The Antients' Grand Lodge formed in 1751 published a Book of Constitutions in 1756, under the title Ahiman rezon, or a help to a brother. Eight editions were published in all before the Union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813. Earlier editions were almost copies of Anderson’s Constitutions produced by the Premier Grand Lodge, although the later editions were less than complementary about their older rival. There has been considerable debate over the meaning of the Hebrew title Ahiman Rezon. The will of selected brethren,The secrets of prepared brethren, Royal Builders and Brother Secretary are just four of the explanations that can be found in Masonic encyclopaedias.Copies of various editions can be viewed in the Library and Museum under the class mark: BE 94 GRA (ANT). (MC, April 2003)

When was the first Book of Constitutions published?

The Constitutions of the Free-Masons containing the History, Charges, Regulations, &c. of that most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity: For use of the Lodges was the first official publication of Grand Lodge in 1723. It was the work of Revd. Dr. James Anderson (1680-1739), who also produced a second edition in 1738. Anderson's Constitution contained a "traditional" history of Freemasonry, rules and regulations of the Craft and some songs and music for use in Lodges. Copies of both the first and second edition can be viewed in the Library and Museum under the following class mark: BE 94 GRA. (MC, April 2003)

What is the Masonic Calendar?

Although there have been a number of Masonic dating systems, the most familiar to Craft Freemasons will be Anno Lucis (A.L.), which is the system that appears on certificates. Anno Lucis (the year of light) is based on a chronology that puts the year of creation as 4,004 B.C. and is traditionally derived by adding 4,000 to the year in question. For example 1717 A.D. the year Grand Lodge was formed would become 5717 A.L., and 2003 would become 6003 A.L. The system was not exclusive to Freemasons having been designed by an Irish cleric James Ussher (1581-1656) many years before the formation of Grand Lodge in 1717. (MC, April 2003)