Formally recvorded Freemasonry has been a part of the fabric of our society for well over 300 years but it has existed for much longer. With masonic connections, the village of Fotheringhay has played a significant part in the local history of Northamptonshire and is of national importance. It was the birthplace in 1452 of Richard III. It features the remains of a castle that was built around 1100 by Simon de St Lis and survived until the 17th century. There are few remains of the castle but it is well known as the site of the execution in 1587 of Mary, Queen of Scots. Edward III began the construction of the parish church of St Mary and All Saints.
The original 1434 manuscript contract for the construction of they Church was copied by Sir William Dugdale in 1669 from the original document then in the hands of the Right Honourable William Pierpont of Holme Pierrepont Hall, Thorsby, Nottinghamshire, and was written in early English. It was published in the Masonic Monthly 1882 for the Quatuor Coronati Lodge No 2076 where William Harry Rylands FSA (1847-1922), very much liked by his fellow masons, explains some of the mysterious words. After much searching it is feared that the original document is lost. It is the only known contract for the building of a church in the medieval period and has the earliest use of the word ‘free-mason.’ William Horwood, dwelling at Fotheringhay, is referred to as a ‘free-mason’ and is charged with the work in return for a payment of £300. It also stipulates that the work is to be done “by oversight of masters of the same craft.”
Interestingly, the contract bequeathed a bonus to William Horwood should he complete the construction work on time. However, it also contained a penalty clause in the event of the work not being completed on time - that “he shall yield his body to prison at my lords will and all his moveable goods and heritages at my said Lord’s disposition and ordenance.”
Recently, there have been structural problems with the church including serious roof decay. A registered charity, The Friends of Fotheringhay Church has been formed with the aim of preserving and restoring this magnificent building and thereby preserving this important part of our national heritage for future generations.
On hearing of this fund raising effort and its links with Freemasonry of yesteryear, the Provincial Grand Master of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, RW Bro Max Bayes, decided this would be a most suitable community impact project and sought the support of Masons in the Province. The response was magnificent. Lodges, as well as individual Masons, made generous donations.
As a result, at the 2016 annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, the Provincial Grand Master was able to present the resulting £150,000 cheque to the charity. This will be used in essential restoration and maintenance work. In return, Simon Leatham, the Honorary Treasurer of the charity, gave the Provincial Grand Master a copy of the original contract thus establishing a link between William Horwood, our ‘free-mason’ of 1434, and Freemasonry in the Province today.