The age of the MS. has been variously estimated. Mr. Halliwell and the late Rev. A.F.A. Woodford supposed it to have been written about 1390, or earlier. The MS. is admitted to be the oldest genuine record of the Craft of Masonry known. Mr. Halliwell pointed out that the writer of the poem was evidently a priest , from the words, "And when the gospel me rede schal," on line 629. He also drew attention to line 143, which intimates a still older MS. must have existed when the poem was written.
I have not included much detail on where this came from or when, I thought that it would be good for others to research the origins and relationships to Freemasonry.
