Cooks Quote by John Hamill
“Historically, the Old Charges fall into three groups. The first comprises the two earliest versions, the Regius MS of c.1390 and the Cook MS of c.1420...The second, and largest, group begins with the Grand Lodge No. 1 MS, dated 25 December 1583, and covers all the versions datable before the formation of the premier Grand Lodge in 1717. The third group comprises manuscript and printed versions produced after 1717, the majority of which appear to have been produced as antiquarian curiosities.”
About This Quote
Source Book: History of Freemasonry, John Hamill, 2005
The Old Charges were compiled in three chronological groups, reflecting early, pre‑Grand Lodge, and post‑1717 antiquarian editions.
In simple terms: Three periods of Freemason documents are identified.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how historical context shapes institutional texts.
Themes
history
freemasonry
documentary
archival
scholarship
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
historical
scholarly
When to use this quote
- academic research
- museum curation
- heritage preservation
- genealogical study
Key Concepts
chronology
institutional evolution
antiquarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do the three groups differ in purpose?
- What biases might affect post‑1717 versions?
A Different Perspective
Later editions may reflect romanticized nostalgia rather than original practice.
