(V) THE ANCIENT CHARGES AT MAKINGS

1. That no Mason take on him no lord's work, nor any other man's, unless he know himself well to be able to perform the work, so that the craft have no slander.

2. Also, that no Mason take work but that he take reasonable pay for it; so that the lord may truly served, and the Master to live honestly, and to pay his Fellows truly. And that no Master or Fellow supplant others of their work, that is to say, that if he hath taken a work, or else stand a Master of any work, that he shall not put him out, unless he be unable of cunning to make an end of his work. And no Master nor Fellow shall take no Apprentice for less than seven years. And that the Apprentice be free born, and of limbs whole as a man ought to be, and no bastard. And that no Master nor Fellow take no allowance to be made Mason without the assent of his Fellows, at the least six or seven.

3. That he that be made able in all degrees; that is, free-born, of a good kindred, true, and no bondsman, and that he have his right limbs as a man ought to have.

4. That a Master take no Apprentice without he having occupation to occupy two or three Fellows at the least.

5. That no Master or Fellow put away any lord's work to task that ought to be journeywork.

6. That every Master give pay to his Fellows and servants as they may deserve, so that he be not defame with false working. And that none slander another behind his back to make him lose his good name.

7. That Fellow in the house or abroad, answer another ungodly or reproveably without cause.

8. That every Master Mason to reverence to his elder; and that a Mason be no common player at the cards, dice or hazard; or at any other unlawful plays through which the science and craft may be dishonored and slandered.

9. That no Fellow go into town by night, except he have a Fellow with him, who may bear him record that he was in an honest place.

10. That every Master and Fellow shall come to the assembly, if it be within fifty miles of him, if he have any warning. And if he have trespassed against the craft, to abide the reward of Master and Fellows.

11. That every Master Mason and Fellow that hath trespassed against the craft, shall stand to the correction of other Master and Fellows make him accord; and if they cannot accord, to go to the common law.

12. That a Master or Fellow make not a mould stone, square nor rule to no lowen, nor let no lowen work within their Lodge nor without, to mould stone.

13. That every Mason receive and cherish strange Fellows, when they come over the country, and set them on work, if they will work, as the manner is; that is to say, if the Mason have any mould stone in his place, he shall give him a mould stone and set him on work; and if he have none, the Mason shall refresh him with money unto the next Lodge.

14. That every Mason shall truly serve his Master for his pay.

15. That every Master shall truly make an end of his work, task or journey, witherso it be.