The Guild of Operative Masons still exists. Its full title is The Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Wailers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers, and Bricklayers." The title of the Society, comprising as it does so many distinct trades, is curious, but was not an uncommon state of affairs in the seventeenth century. These operatives were freemen of their city. In London the use of the word " Free " in the title was allowed to lapse during the middle of the seventeenth century. It had ceased to be a distinction when members of all the other London Companies were equally free.
Title
1935 - The Old Charges and Their Influence on the Ritual - Bro Rev G C Glanville
