The Secret of the Mediaeval Masons
Paul Frankl
since they were not bound a guild in any specific city. Their vocation forced them wander from place where churches erected and stone masons needed. Thus free had the character of an international society. The same Italian worked at Speyer Germany Lund Sweden; French Germany, so on. They nevertheless regionally organized. Only organization been fully developed. Four major lodges became centers for smaller ones: Strasbourg, Cologne, Vienna Bern. In these places disputes settled by head master, its own jurisdiction. A court was needed final decisions this honor bestowed on lodge Strasbourg probably as early time erection nave Cathedral second half thirteenth century.' All their written rules which slowly unified. unification accomplished when representatives nearly all including those Switzerland Alsace, held common session Regensburg 1459. defined that eeting later confirmed Emperor Maximilian I 1498. From document 1459 we know only there secret but also what it referred. Paragraph thirteen says: Also no workman, nor parlier, journeyman shall teach anyone, whatever he may be called, being one our handicraft never having done mason work, how take elevation ground plan.2 There still other secrets intended preserve main intact. It master's duty keep book have read every year. who promoted oath reveal anyone salutation, etc. Secrets arouse curiosity. We want sentence means: to plan. But is need guess ourselves. generation after great master cathedral Bavarian town, Matthius Roriczer, published small booklet with consent bishop Regensburg.' Roriczer
Art Bulletin