Aelfric Lodge History
The Aelfric Lodge takes its name from the first Abbot of Eynsham Abbey (scroll down for further history of the Abbot).
The idea of forming an “Eynsham Lodge” was first muted by a number of brethren resident in the village but nothing happened until November 1978 when brethren from Eynsham, attending a Windrush Chapter meeting at Witney, discussed the possible founding of a lodge which would draw its members from the village and surrounding area. Names of possible founders were scribbled on the paper tablecloth and when the names exceeded two dozen, things moved swiftly and a formal meeting of those who had expressed an interest was held at Bartholomew School, Eynsham.
At that meeting a resolution by W. Bro. Ken Sheffield, seconded by W. Bro. Charles Woodward, to form a new Lodge was carried unanimously. W. Bro. Stevenson, then head of Bartholomew School, took on the role of founding Secretary and became the first Secretary of the Lodge. W.Bro. Peter Ward, then Deputy Head, accepted and became the first Worshipful Master of the new Lodge. Ten months of much hard work followed and the warrant for the new Lodge was received in January 1980. The Lodge Crest was taken from the Bartholomew School badge with Mr Alan Mills (now W. Bro. Mills), head of art at the school, incorporating the armorial bearings within a perfect circle, the design being submitted to Grand Lodge and receiving approval in March 1980. Fifteen months of planning, consultation and enthusiastic cooperation came to fruition on Wednesday, April 9th 1980, when the Lodge was consecrated in the Masonic Temple at 333 Banbury Road, Oxford, by the Provincial Grand Master, the Rt. Hon. Lord Rathcreedan and his team, setting the Aelfric Lodge on its journey to the present day.
The first twenty years of the Lodge was celebrated at the turn of the century by the publication of a history of the Lodge bearing that title in 2000. Copies of the booklet are presented to each candidate and joining member on the night they become members of the Lodge. The Lodge is now forty plus years old and an update to the booklet will undoubtedly be produced in time for its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2030.
Aelfric – Abbot of Eynsham Abbey – 955-1010 A.D.
Most members of the Aelfric Lodge will know that our Lodge takes its name from the first Abbot of Eynsham Abbey. They may not, however, be aware that Aelfric was one of the greatest figures of Saxon times, and that his influence on religious life and Saxon literature, ranks with the achievements of the Venerable Bede some three hundred years earlier.
From information kindly lent to me, I am able to produce this leaflet which I hope will be of interest to our members.
Aelfric, called Grammaticus – the Grammarian – the greatest prose writer of Saxon times, was educated in the Benedictine Monastery at Winchester under Aethelwold who was Bishop of Winchester from 963 until 984 (A.D.). When the Abbey of Cerne Abbas Dorset was founded in 987, Aelfric who by then had taken Holy Orders, was sent by Bishop Aelfeah to teach the monks there. On the founding of Eynsham Abbey in 1005 Aelfric became its first Abbot, and remained there until his death, the exact date of which is uncertain but was probably about 1010 A.D.
In the year 990 Aelfric issued his “Catholic Homilies”, his aim being to produce sermons for the clergy, in the Anglo-Saxon language, based on sound religious doctrines. He later translated some of Bede’s works, produced several lives of the saints, and translated parts of the Old Testament into Anglo-Saxon. These were followed by books on Monastic observance and Religious doctrine. Aelfric was recognised as an authority in his own day, and was commissioned to write Pastoral letters for the Archbishop of York and other Bishops. His work was copied and studied throughout the Middle Ages, and he had the distinction of being the first Anglo-Saxon writer whose work was printed.
Aelfric was a great teacher and produced several works designed to assist pupils in learning Latin. These included his “Latin Grammar” and a Latin-English Vocabulary. The most famous of his instructional works is the “Colloquy”, representing conversations between a Teacher, a novice and a variety of people engaged in common trades of the times. These present an unrivalled picture of contemporary life, from which I quote the opening lines:-
“Boys: We ask you sir to teach us to talk properly,
as we are ignorant and speak badly.
Master: What do you want to say?
Boys: We do not mind as long as it is correct.
Master: Will you accept beatings while learning?
Boys: That is better than to stay ignorant. But we
know you have mercy and will not give us more
strokes than we make you……………………”
Conversations follow between the master and a ploughman, shepherd, hunter, fisherman, fowler, and a merchant who gives and account of his voyages overseas which enabled him to bring to England such commodities as silk, jewels, dyes, wine, oil, ivory, glass, etc. The whole of the colloquy presents a picture of Anglo-Saxon England far different from the primitive land I, at least, had previously imagined.
Aelfric’s words, written in our own village, have survived for nearly a thousand years. The Aelfric Lodge is proud to use his name and follow in his Christian tradition.
E. C. Stevenson
Secretary July, 1981
Aelfric 8926 