Another Thought About The Origins Of Freemasonry, by Jack Nichols Mogus, PM, Presented August 30, 2003
Page 82
Transactions of A. Douglas Smith, Jr. Lodge of Research #1949 Volume 5 (2002 — 2005)
© 2008 - A. Douglas Smith, Jr., Lodge of Research #1949, AF&AM - All Rights Reserved
Another Thought About The Origins Of Freemasonry, by Jack Nichols Mogus, PM, Presented August 30, 2003
Page 83
Another Thought About The Origins Of Freemasonry
by
Jack Nichols Mogus, PM
There are many thoughts, speculations and even
fantasies about the origin of our Craft. The one
thing everyone seems to agree upon is to
disagree with everyone else. Let me offer
another thought this day — possibly no more
convincing than any of the others — - certainly
no less convincing either.
For centuries the Romans had built stone
edifices in what we now call England, —
Administrative buildings, residences, temples
and roads. Lots of roads.
The demise of Rome began in earnest during the
reign of the Emperor Glycerious (473—474
AD). The Vandals, descending upon Rome
during the reign of Julius Nepos (474—475
AD), caused that emperor to expedite the recall
of the Roman Legions from Britain. The final
hours of the Empire were in the reign of
Romulus Augustus (475—476 AD), who is
commonly considered the last emperor of the
Western Empire. In those last days of the
Empire, emperors had a noticeably short tenure.
With the recall of the Romans, there was no one
left in Britain to maintain the stone buildings or
to erect new ones.
The local indigenous population not only did
not build in stone but they were extremely
superstitious about any stone construction. The
closest they would come to it was building their
wood and straw lean-tos against the sides of the
stone buildings. No stone masonry at all. And
none for another 150 years.
Around 622 AD, a monk of the Benedictine
order (named Benedict Biscoff) found himself in
the area of what is now Weyrmouth, England.
Being a bit frustrated with all the variances and
misapplications of the Order of his namesake,
he set off for Rome to petition Pope Boniface V
(619—625 AD) to permit him to establish a
monastery at the mouth of the Wyer River. He
made two trips to Rome to visit Boniface V in
attempts to accomplish his goal. Neither
adventure was successful in any manner except
that he "became known" in the Holy City — and
to some as a pest. (The term "stonewall" had not
been in common usage at that time).
Boniface V was called to his just rewards in 625
AD, and, being a rather interesting character, in
his own right, one can only wonder what those
rewards might have been. At any rate, our hero -
Benedict Biscoff - decided that with Boniface V
now being out of the way he might have better
luck with the new guy, Honorious I. Taking
advantage of the fact that Honorious was new to
the office and quite busy carving "his mark" on
the Throne of Saint Peter, Benedict set off once
again, for Rome. This third attempt also met
with disappointment because Honorious was
"indisposed". (Just when WAS the term
"stonewall" first used??)
Undaunted and a determined fellow to be sure,
Benedict struck out once more for Rome.
(Unfortunately this all took place before the age
of "frequent flyer" miles). He arrived there late
in the year 626 AD. To his great surprise,
Honorious not only granted him an audience but
also granted his wish to establish his Abbey in
Wyermouth. (There are several schools of
thought as to what "persuasion" was used by
Benedict, none of which, however, should
concern us today). Benedict and his close
followers fancied themselves as builders — or
perhaps even architects — and were excited
about the opportunity that lay before them,
however daunting the task might have appeared.
Transactions of A. Douglas Smith, Jr. Lodge of Research #1949 Volume 5 (2002 — 2005)
© 2008 - A. Douglas Smith, Jr., Lodge of Research #1949, AF&AM - All Rights Reserved
Another Thought About The Origins Of Freemasonry, by Jack Nichols Mogus, PM, Presented August 30, 2003
Page 84
In his many travels to and from Rome, Benedict
had ample opportunity to observe and to study
the stone buildings and edifices of France and
Rome. He took the time to speak with and to
learn what he could from these "builders in
stone".
On his final return to Britain, Benedict
persuaded (Ah, there's that word again) numbers
of these craftsmen to travel to Britain with him.
Actually, he persuaded a few, who acting under
his authority shanghaied many more.
These craftsmen, now under the authority of
Benedict, who had the authority of Pope
Honorious' charter in his pocket, traveled
"freely" to their new home in Britain.
With the new Abbot, Benedict, and his monks
supervising, the stone masons (now free stone
masons) began their work on the Abbey of
Wyermouth. The Abbey and its cathedral and
associated buildings were arguably among the
first "non-Roman" works in stone in modern
Britain. These masons proved themselves so
capable and efficient that Benedict, for a time,
"hired them out" to various nobles who wanted
their own stone buildings. Probably the first
"sub-contractors" in history. And, quite possibly
the first Free Masons as well.
Thank you for your time and attention.

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