French Masonic author and researcher Guy Chassagnard has recently put up an extensive website featuring 33 of the earliest known manuscripts and exposures of operative and speculative Freemasonry, dating all the way from 1248 up through "Masonry Dissected" in 1730. They come from Italian, French, English, Scottish, and German sources.
Go here: www.theoldcharges.com
I believe this is actually an English translation of Brother Chassagnard's book, Les Anciens Devoirs: Maçons opératifs et maçons acceptés.
Previously, hunting down these manuscripts from various sites was a tedious task. So, to have them collected all in one place is a godsend to researchers. Many thanks to Brother Guy for posting this!
One word of warning: when you first click on the site, there's a music track that blares out at you at full volume. Hit the pause button under the square and compass image on the right side of the page to shut it off.
Go here: www.theoldcharges.com
I believe this is actually an English translation of Brother Chassagnard's book, Les Anciens Devoirs: Maçons opératifs et maçons acceptés.
Previously, hunting down these manuscripts from various sites was a tedious task. So, to have them collected all in one place is a godsend to researchers. Many thanks to Brother Guy for posting this!
One word of warning: when you first click on the site, there's a music track that blares out at you at full volume. Hit the pause button under the square and compass image on the right side of the page to shut it off.