Skip to main content
Museum of Freemasonry

Masonic Periodicals Online

  • Explore
  • Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Explore
  • The Masonic Mirror
  • June 1, 1855
  • Page 6
  • FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND.
Current:

The Masonic Mirror, June 1, 1855: Page 6

  • Back to The Masonic Mirror, June 1, 1855
  • Print image
  • Articles/Ads
    Article FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Page 6

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Freemasonry In England.

, followed his example , and even appropriated the wdiole revenue of his see towards its advancement ; but , like his predecessor ,- he also left it unfinished , and it is supposed to have been completed by some lay persons , but at what time or in what maimer , is nowhere mentioned . William Rufus , who succeeded the Conqueror , is said to have exempted all ships entering the river Fleet with stone or other materials for the

new Cathedral from toll and custom . But , notwithstanding the length of time and great expense bestowed on this church , it had not been long completed when it was thought not sufficiently magnificent . The steeple was therefore rebuilt , and " finished about the year 1231 ; and Roger Niger being promoted to the see of London in 1229 , proceeding with the choir leted it in 1240 and solemnlconsecrated it afresh the

, comp , y same year , in the presence of the King , the Pope ' s legate , and ' many lords , both spiritual and temporal . This spacious and magnificent edifice being thus finished , a survey was taken of it , by which its dimensions appear to have been as follows -. — The length of the bod y of the church was six hundred aud ninety feet ,

the breadth , one hundred and thirty , the height of the roof in the west part , within one hundred and two feet , that of the east , eighty feet , and that of the body , one hundred and fifty , the height of the tower from the ground was two hundred and sixty feet ; from whence arose a wooden spire , covered with lead , two hundred and seventy four feet in height ; on the top of which was a ball nine feet one inch in circumference . This was crowned with a cross that was fifteen feet high , and the traverse six feet in length .

The ornaments of this Cathedral exceeded those of any other church in the kingdom . The high altar , which stood between two columns , was adorned with precious stones , surrounded with images most beautifully wrought , and covered with a canopy of wood , curiously painted , with the yepreseiitation of saints and angels . The new shrine of St . Erkenwald stood on the east side of the wall , above the high

altar , and was adorned with gold , silver , and precious stones ; bat not being thought sufficiently rich , in 1339 , three goldsmiths of London were retained by the dean and chapter to work upon it for a whole year , at the end of which , its lustre was so great that princes , nobles , ambassadors , and other foreigners of rank , flocked from all parts to visit it , and to offer their oblations before it . Amongst these embellishments were

all the rings and jewels of Walter de Thorp , aud the best sapphire stone of Richard de Presten ; which last was appplied to the curing of infirmities of the eyes , and proclamation of its virtues were made by express will of the donor .

The picture of St . Paul , finely painted , was placed in a wooden tabernacle on the ri ght side of the high altar , and was esteemed a masterly performance . Against a pillar in the body of the church , stood a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary ; and John Burnet , Bishop of Bath and Wells , bequeathed a handsome estate , that a lamp might be kept continuall y burning before it , and an anthem sung every day . In the centre of the church stood a large cross , and towards the north door a crucifix , at

“The Masonic Mirror: 1855-06-01, Page 6” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 29 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mir/issues/mmg_01061855/page/6/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
THE GIRLS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL. Article 1
AGED MASONS' ASYLUM. Article 2
THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES. Article 3
MASONIC STANZAS. Article 3
FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND. Article 4
MASONIC REMINISCENCES. Article 9
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 14
PROVINCIAL LODGES. Article 26
IRELAND. Article 45
ROYAL ARCH. Article 46
KNIGHT TEMPLARS. Article 48
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 48
BON ACCORD LODGE OF MARK MASONS. Article 50
SUMMARY OF NEWS FOR MAY. Article 51
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 55
Page 1

Page 1

1 Article
Page 2

Page 2

2 Articles
Page 3

Page 3

3 Articles
Page 4

Page 4

1 Article
Page 5

Page 5

1 Article
Page 6

Page 6

1 Article
Page 7

Page 7

1 Article
Page 8

Page 8

1 Article
Page 9

Page 9

1 Article
Page 10

Page 10

1 Article
Page 11

Page 11

1 Article
Page 12

Page 12

1 Article
Page 13

Page 13

1 Article
Page 14

Page 14

1 Article
Page 15

Page 15

1 Article
Page 16

Page 16

1 Article
Page 17

Page 17

1 Article
Page 18

Page 18

1 Article
Page 19

Page 19

1 Article
Page 20

Page 20

1 Article
Page 21

Page 21

1 Article
Page 22

Page 22

1 Article
Page 23

Page 23

1 Article
Page 24

Page 24

1 Article
Page 25

Page 25

1 Article
Page 26

Page 26

2 Articles
Page 27

Page 27

1 Article
Page 28

Page 28

1 Article
Page 29

Page 29

1 Article
Page 30

Page 30

1 Article
Page 31

Page 31

1 Article
Page 32

Page 32

1 Article
Page 33

Page 33

1 Article
Page 34

Page 34

1 Article
Page 35

Page 35

1 Article
Page 36

Page 36

1 Article
Page 37

Page 37

1 Article
Page 38

Page 38

1 Article
Page 39

Page 39

1 Article
Page 40

Page 40

1 Article
Page 41

Page 41

1 Article
Page 42

Page 42

1 Article
Page 43

Page 43

1 Article
Page 44

Page 44

1 Article
Page 45

Page 45

2 Articles
Page 46

Page 46

2 Articles
Page 47

Page 47

1 Article
Page 48

Page 48

3 Articles
Page 49

Page 49

1 Article
Page 50

Page 50

2 Articles
Page 51

Page 51

2 Articles
Page 52

Page 52

1 Article
Page 53

Page 53

1 Article
Page 54

Page 54

1 Article
Page 55

Page 55

2 Articles
Page 56

Page 56

1 Article
Page 6

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Freemasonry In England.

, followed his example , and even appropriated the wdiole revenue of his see towards its advancement ; but , like his predecessor ,- he also left it unfinished , and it is supposed to have been completed by some lay persons , but at what time or in what maimer , is nowhere mentioned . William Rufus , who succeeded the Conqueror , is said to have exempted all ships entering the river Fleet with stone or other materials for the

new Cathedral from toll and custom . But , notwithstanding the length of time and great expense bestowed on this church , it had not been long completed when it was thought not sufficiently magnificent . The steeple was therefore rebuilt , and " finished about the year 1231 ; and Roger Niger being promoted to the see of London in 1229 , proceeding with the choir leted it in 1240 and solemnlconsecrated it afresh the

, comp , y same year , in the presence of the King , the Pope ' s legate , and ' many lords , both spiritual and temporal . This spacious and magnificent edifice being thus finished , a survey was taken of it , by which its dimensions appear to have been as follows -. — The length of the bod y of the church was six hundred aud ninety feet ,

the breadth , one hundred and thirty , the height of the roof in the west part , within one hundred and two feet , that of the east , eighty feet , and that of the body , one hundred and fifty , the height of the tower from the ground was two hundred and sixty feet ; from whence arose a wooden spire , covered with lead , two hundred and seventy four feet in height ; on the top of which was a ball nine feet one inch in circumference . This was crowned with a cross that was fifteen feet high , and the traverse six feet in length .

The ornaments of this Cathedral exceeded those of any other church in the kingdom . The high altar , which stood between two columns , was adorned with precious stones , surrounded with images most beautifully wrought , and covered with a canopy of wood , curiously painted , with the yepreseiitation of saints and angels . The new shrine of St . Erkenwald stood on the east side of the wall , above the high

altar , and was adorned with gold , silver , and precious stones ; bat not being thought sufficiently rich , in 1339 , three goldsmiths of London were retained by the dean and chapter to work upon it for a whole year , at the end of which , its lustre was so great that princes , nobles , ambassadors , and other foreigners of rank , flocked from all parts to visit it , and to offer their oblations before it . Amongst these embellishments were

all the rings and jewels of Walter de Thorp , aud the best sapphire stone of Richard de Presten ; which last was appplied to the curing of infirmities of the eyes , and proclamation of its virtues were made by express will of the donor .

The picture of St . Paul , finely painted , was placed in a wooden tabernacle on the ri ght side of the high altar , and was esteemed a masterly performance . Against a pillar in the body of the church , stood a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary ; and John Burnet , Bishop of Bath and Wells , bequeathed a handsome estate , that a lamp might be kept continuall y burning before it , and an anthem sung every day . In the centre of the church stood a large cross , and towards the north door a crucifix , at

  • Prev page
  • 1
  • 5
  • You're on page6
  • 7
  • 56
  • Next page
  • Accredited Museum Designated Outstanding Collection
  • LIBRARY AND MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1058497 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025

  • Accessibility statement

  • Designed, developed, and maintained by King's Digital Lab

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & cookie policy