| Early masonic references
1589 “In the mean season, sweet Martin Junior, play thou the knave kindly as thou hast begun, and waxe as olde in iniquitie as thy father. Downe with learning and Universities, I can bring you a Free-mason out of Kent, that gave over his occupation twentie yeeres agoe. He wil make a good Deacon for your Purpose, I have taken some tryall of his gifts, hee preacheth very pretilie over a Joynd-stoole.” (A.iij)
A Countercuffe given to Martin Junior, “Pasquill”. [Thomas Nashe, possibly Robert Greene] London : John Charlewood, 1589. A Church of England sponsored response to criticisms from Martin Marprelate [Puritan pseud.; see Charles Nicholl A Cup of News]. The term “Deacon” would not refer to any masonic office existing at the time, deacons being a relatively modern addition. Cited by Ron Heisler in “The Impact of Freemasonry on Elizabethan Literature.” The Hermetic Journal, 1990.
The unfortunate traveller : Or, the life of Iacke Wilton : Newly corrected and augmented, Thomas Nash (1567-1601). The complete works of Thomas Nashe / for the first time collected and edited with memorial-introduction, notes and illustrations, etc. by Alexander Balloch Grosart (1827-1899). Vol. 5: The unfortunate traveller ; Nashes lenten stuffe. 1594-1599. The Huth library. [S.l.] : printed for private circulation, 1883-5. 308 p.
See Natural History of Staffordshire, for full quotes.
See The Tatler for full quotes. |
