What is the York Rite of Freemasonry?
The York or American Rite is, most likely, the oldest Rite of Freemasonry. The earliest extant record which is undeniably “Masonic” is a document called the Halliwell Manuscript, or Poem, which dates to roughly 1390. This is, presumably, a copy of a much older document. This old poem tells a lot about the ancient craft, and specifically tells a legend about its origins. The legend of the “York Rite” begins in the English city of York in 926. This is sometimes termed the “Athelstane legend” and at other times termed the “Edwin Legend.” Athelstane was the King of England at this time and his son, the Prince, Edwin was the Master of the Craft of Masonry. Here is one minor quote referencing Athelstane from the Halliwell poem: “An to worshepe hys God with alle hys might. Thys goode lorde loved thys craft ful wel, And purposed to strengthyn hyt every del, …” (emphasis added) The modern York Rite does trace its heritage to these origins.
