The Schaw Statues and the Warden and Deacon

[brotherjhairston]

I researched the Schaw Statues and found the scope of the office of Warden and deacon to be quite different in the Lodge protocol today. Can anyone elaborate on why these changes took place in the transition from Scotland to English, and Operative to Speculative?

[Tamrin]

Feb 22, 2010 16:48:35 GMT 10 brotherjhairston said:

I researched the Schaw Statues and found the scope of the office of Warden and deacon to be quite different in the Lodge protocol today. Can anyone elaborate on why these changes took place in the transition from Scotland to English, and Operative to Speculative?

In the Shaw Statutes (1598 & 1599), we find the presiding officer of a district was called a "warden," elected by masters of lodges, with a Warden General over all, e.g. Item 7, 1598:

(7) A warden shall be elected annually to have charge of every lodge in the district for which he is chosen by the votes of the masters of the lodges of such district and the consent of the Warden General if he happens to be present; otherwise the Warden General shall be notified of the election that he may send to the warden-elect necessary directions.

I suggest these titles be seen in the context of a guild or incorporation (dare I say, a proto Grand Lodge).