That of PHO Ancient York Masons
That of PHO Ancient York Masons
Nothing of modern opinions and concepts of Freemasonry is more controversial, especially in Freemasonry amongst African Americans than the appellations that accompany the names of Masonic Affiliations. African American Freemasonic orders are so obsessed with the “Alphabet Soup”, that to discuss the histories and methodologies of easily deteriorate to arguments and other attacks that can easily be outside of those that are Masonic. Many public discussion normally ask the question, “Are you a 3-letter, 4-letter or even 5-letter Mason?” What is very interesting is that in these “discussions” many Masons will retrofit sensationalized histories or wives tales to justify their arguments at the time. Our brothers of Prince Hall Origin – National Compact are no different in these sorts of debates.
York Masons or Yorkrite Masons?
Prince Hall Origin-National Compact Masons are, over time, essentially guilty of retrofitting and changing an ideal regarding its title. Over time, the National Grand Lodge has transformed its name from “Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons” to “Free and Accepted Ancient Yorkrite Masons”. These sorts of changes are rather subtle, but contain so much that may be viewed as controversial. It appears through the viewing of proceedings of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge as well those in Compact subordinate jurisdictions, the changes may be that of the mid 1900’s. Why is this very significant? As this is a book of history, the reader must understand that history and the understanding there of can clear many pretenses surrounding those things that may be viewed as controversial.
A Yorkrite Mason?
This designation alludes to the practice of York Rite Masonry. Freemasons under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge Prince Hall Origin-National Compact practice, almost exclusively, the York Rite of Freemasonry. What does this mean? Freemasons of Prince Hall Origin-National Compact, after being Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, can only continue their Masonic work beyond those degrees in the York Rite Degree system. This means the progression is Master Mason (Blue Lodge), Royal Arch Mason and Knights Templar[1]. This removes the “option” of rites following the completion of the Master Mason degree. This ideology is not different from some other bodies of African American Masonic orders. One that is as popular as the above ideals are that of those who claim to be Scottish Rite Masons. York Rite Freemasonry is well known as the “American Rite” of Freemasonry and if Prince Hall Origin-National Compact are of the ideals of that of an “American Rite”, then it would be rather difficult to claim a more “Ancient” origin as so expressed in the original title. It should be duly noted that at the time of the establishment of the National Grand Lodge, Freemasons with lineage were working the degrees of York Rite as well as the Scottish Rite. According to the Proceedings of the National Grand Lodge of 1856, the Freemasons had three Grand Royal Arch Chapters (Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio); a Grand Encampment of Knights Templar; and more importantly, A Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree[2] It is however duly noted that the evidence of the 1856 National Grand Lodge Proceedings does not reflect, in any way the progression by which those Masons obtained those degrees.
An Ancient York Mason
The title Ancient York Mason, which has been perverted of the years and decades is, in so many words, an homage to the city of York, England. The legend surrounds the supposed first Grand Assembly of Masons in 926 A. D.
One of the earlier references to the legend of Ancient York Masons was documented in the Ancient Constitution of James Anderson of 1723.
About An. Dom. 930
That though the ancient Records of the Brotherhood in England were many of them destroy’d or lost in the Wars of the Saxons and Danes, yet King ATHELSTAN, (the Grandson of King ALFRED the Great, a mighty Architect) the first anointed King of England, and who translated the Holy Bible into the Saxon Tongue, when he had brought the Land into Rest and Peace, built many great Works, and encourag’d many Masons from France, who were appointed Overseers thereof, and brought with them the Charges and Regulations of the Lodges preserved since Roman Times, who also prevail’d with the King improve the CONSTITUTION of the English Lodges according to the foreign Model, and to increase the Wages of working Masons.
That the said King’s youngest Son, Prince EDWIN, being taught Masonry, and taking upon him the Charges of a MASTER-MASON, for the Love he had to the said Craft, and the honourable Princeiples whereon it is grounded, purchased a free charter of King Athelstan his Father, for the Masons having a Correction among themselves, (as it was anciently express’d) or a Freedom and Power to regulate themselves, to amend what might happen amiss, and to hold a yearly Communication and General Assembly.[3]
National Grand Lodge Historian Matthew Brock said the following in reference to the legend:
YORK MASONS The city of York in the North of England, is celebrated in Masonic history for being the place where Masonry was officially re-established in the Kingdom of England, and the first Grand Lodge formed in 926, by Prince Edwin, brother of King Athelstane. The latter is responsible for having sold a free charter for that purpose to Prince Edwin. It is also in this city in the same year that the Gothic Constitution was promulgated by the General Assembly of the craft, as the regulation of the craft.[4]
Martin Delany, who is revered as an author, publisher, physician, soldier, Pan African, Freemason, abolitionist and National Grand Lodge officer wrote the following:
For the purpose of again bringing back the “prodigal son” to the household of his father, the “stray sheep” to the rich pastures of the fold of Israel, and repairing the somewhat defaced, honored monument of time, Prince Edwin of England, in 930 of the Christian era, being nine hundred and twenty two years ago, summoned together at York, all the wise men of the order, where the rites were again scientifically systematized, and preserved for coming time. At this point, the Order, in honor to Prince Edwin, assigned to itself the title of York Masonry.[5]
In a debate between the Mainstream (white) Masons, ironically of the establishment of a Supreme (National) Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge mentioned its allegiance to the legend.
In replying to these allegations, the committee advert to the formation of the Grand Lodge in 1812, “ as the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, Ancient York Masons, according to the old constitutions as revised by Prince Edwin, at the city of York, A. L., 4926;”[6]
Over time, the
concept of the legend of Ancient York Masonry has been abandoned by conventional modern history. The
history, lineage and other historical consequences are not the focus of this
work but it is however noted the legend has been somewhat persevered by those
subordinate to the National Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient York
Masons Prince Hall Origin-National Compact.
[1] It is to be noted that there is no body which governs the Cryptic Degrees of Freemasonry affiliated with the Most Worshipful Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge F&AAYM. The Degrees are normally conferred when a Companion Royal Arch Masons seek to become a Knights Templar.
[2] Proceedings, National Grand Lodge, F&AAYM 1856, page 46-47
[3] Anderson, James, The Constitutions of the Free-Masons: Containing The History, Charges, Regulations, &c of that Most Ancient Right Worshipful FRATERNITY, London, 1723, page 30
[4] Brock at xvi
[5] Delany, M. The Origin and Objects of Ancient Freemasonry: Its Introduction into the United States and Legitimacy Among Colored Men, 1853, Pittsburg, PA WS HAVEN, page 15
[6] Proceedings of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Louisiana F&AM, New Orleans, LA, Page 68