THE BUILDER OCTOBER 1915

THE PRESENTATION OF THE APRON

BY BRO. JOHN W. WELLS, IOWA

IN presenting the Apron to a Brother, we say that it is more
ancient than the Golden Fleece or the Roman Eagle, more honorable
than the Star and Garter, or any other order that might be
conferred, etc.

Are these claims true? We shall examine them severally.

The Golden Fleece.

In Greek tradition, the fleece of the Ram Chrysomallus, the
recovery of which was the object of the Argonautic expedition.

"The Golden Fleece" has given its name to a celebrated Order of
Knighthood in Austria and Spain, founded by Philip III. Duke of
Burgundy and the Netherlands, at Bruges, on the tenth of January,
1429, on the occasion of his marriage with Isabella, daughter of
King John I. of Portugal.

This Order was instituted for the protection of the Roman Catholic
Church, and the fleece was assumed for its emblem, from being a
staple commodity of the low countries. The founder made himself
Grand Master of the Order, a dignity appointed to descend to his
successors; and the number of knights, at first limited to
twenty-four, was subsequently increased.

Contests arose between Spain and Austria as to the possession of
this Order of Knighthood, which were finally adjusted by
introducing the Order into both countries. In Austria the Emperor
may now create any number of Knights of the Golden Fleece from the
nobility. If Protestants, the consent of the Pope is required. In
Spain, Princes, Grandees, and personages of peculiar merit are
alone eligible to membership in this Order.

The legend of the Golden Fleece, for which the Argonauts searched,
is like the story of Masonry, a search for that which was lost. It
is familiar to most readers of poetry and myths, and is interesting
as being among the first known voyages of discovery.

The Roman Eagle.

The Eagle as adopted by the Romans upon their banners, signified
magnanimity and fortitude, or as in the ancient Sacred Writings,
swiftness and courage. The Romans were not the first to display the
Eagle upon their banners, for the Persians, under Cyrus the
Younger, had borne the Eagle upon their standards.

In modern times France, Russia, Prussia, and the United States have
adopted the Eagle as a National military symbol.


The Order of the Black Eagle, in Prussia, was instituted in 1701,
on the occasion of the coronation of the King. The number of
Knights was first limited to thirty, in addition to the princes of
the Royal family; but now the number is unlimited. They must be at
least thirty years of age, and must prove noble descent through
both parents for at least four generations. Chapters of the Order
of the Black Eagle are held twice a year. It is the highest Order
in Prussia. No member is allowed to travel from Court more than
twenty miles without permission or giving notice.

The Order of the Red Eagle, founded in 1734, was afterwards made a
subordinate degree to the Order of the Black Eagle, and those
received into the Black, must now pass through the Order of the Red
Eagle.

These Orders are outgrowths of the original symbol of the Roman
Eagle.

The Star and The Garter.

These are two Orders.

The Order of the Star originated in France, and was founded by John
II. in 1350 in imitation of the recently instituted Order of the
Garter in England. The name of the Order has allusion to the Star
of Bethlehem, or the Star of the Magi.

A star of some design, from five to sixteen points, forms a part of
the symbolism in every Order of Knighthood.

The Order of the Garter dates from about 1344. Its origin is not
certain. Edward III. is said by some to have instituted it. Others
say Richard I. at the siege of Acre, when he is said to have caused
26 Knights to wear thongs of blue leather around their legs.

Another account is, that the Countess of Salisbury happened at a
ball to drop her garter, and the King picking it up, presented it
to her. Some of the company smiled, whereupon the King exclaimed
"Honi Soit Qui Mal y pense" (Evil to him who evil thinks.)
Immediately after this circumstance this Order of the Garter was
founded. It was founded in honor of the Holy Trinity--The Virgin
Mary, St. Edward the Confessor and St. George. The last, who had
become the tutelary saint of England, was considered its special
patron. It is known as the Order of St. George, as well as of the
Garter. Its members are also known as Knights of St. George.

The number of Knights was originally twenty-six, including the
Sovereign, who is the Chief of the Order; but in 1786 an order was
passed increasing the number to include all the princes of the
Royal family, and illustrious foreigners on whom the Order might be
conferred.

The Garter is a dark blue ribbon, edged with gold, bearing the
motto, "Honi Soit qui Mal y pense" (Evil to him who evil thinks) in
gold letters, mounted with a gold buckle, and worn on the left leg
below the knee. The mantle is of blue velvet; on the left breast is
a star. The hood is of crimson velvet lined with white The hat is
of black velvet with a plume of white ostrich feathers, in the
center of which is a tuft of black heron's feathers, all fastened
by a band of diamonds. The "George" is a figure of St. George
encountering a dragon, and is worn on the collar, while a lesser
"George" pendant to a dark blue ribbon, is worn over the left
shoulder.

This Order is perhaps the best known of any except the Order of
Knights Templar. In many respects The Garter and the Order of the
Temple resemble each other.

In comparing all these orders, The Golden Fleece, The Roman Eagle,
and the other European orders of the Eagle, The Star and the
Garter, Freemasonry may well claim to be more ancient than any or
all of them; for in some form, well nigh akin to its present form,
Masonry has existed for many centuries.

