Luigi Visentin
Registered User
Hi all! I'm completing my book but by reviewing a passage I have a doubt about the correct translation. As English is not my mother tongue I have thought to ask for an help, taking the occasion to share this information which is contained only in a few books about the history of Freemasonry.
The passage is included in a letter dated 1628, suspected to be a testimony about the existence of a Lodge in the court of the king od Scotland:
the noble fraternitie had our solemne meeting in London, being now (with your self and Adam the Advocate) just forty in number. Wee have taken in sundrie of the bedchamber and others of quality and worth, and haue forever hereafter excluded and discharges to admit of any but his majesties servants; and they also to be of the degree of esquire. Also wee have established laudable and good orders to be observed, under the forfature of certain penalties, whereby wee shall avoyde all manner of excesses, royat and disorder. Whereof my brother Ffullerton wil informe you. Your self and the Advocate was very respectulie and solemnly remembered by the whole companie. These enclosed badges of the noble brothered is to be worne by you and the Advocate about your hatband, until our next meeting which is to be every six months, whereof yu shall always haue notice given yow to keep that day solemnly, at which tyme yee shall have our new badges of favour. This much I was commanded to signifie unto you.
This letter was written by Sir David Cunningham to a namesake, Sir David Cunningham, but from Robertland. The father and the oncle (Sir Alexander Cunningham) of the latter were Master of Works under James IV of Scotland (who was also James I of England). Sir Alexander Cunningham had a son who is recorded to have been initiated in 1675. Now my doubt in the translation is referred to the phrase:
and haue forever hereafter excluded and discharges to admit of any but his majesties servants; and they also to be of the degree of esquire.
As far as I have understood, it should means: we have excluded everyone who is not a servant of the sovereign and even those who have been admitted must have the minimum degree of esquires.
I have understood correctly? Thank you in advance for any help.
The passage is included in a letter dated 1628, suspected to be a testimony about the existence of a Lodge in the court of the king od Scotland:
the noble fraternitie had our solemne meeting in London, being now (with your self and Adam the Advocate) just forty in number. Wee have taken in sundrie of the bedchamber and others of quality and worth, and haue forever hereafter excluded and discharges to admit of any but his majesties servants; and they also to be of the degree of esquire. Also wee have established laudable and good orders to be observed, under the forfature of certain penalties, whereby wee shall avoyde all manner of excesses, royat and disorder. Whereof my brother Ffullerton wil informe you. Your self and the Advocate was very respectulie and solemnly remembered by the whole companie. These enclosed badges of the noble brothered is to be worne by you and the Advocate about your hatband, until our next meeting which is to be every six months, whereof yu shall always haue notice given yow to keep that day solemnly, at which tyme yee shall have our new badges of favour. This much I was commanded to signifie unto you.
This letter was written by Sir David Cunningham to a namesake, Sir David Cunningham, but from Robertland. The father and the oncle (Sir Alexander Cunningham) of the latter were Master of Works under James IV of Scotland (who was also James I of England). Sir Alexander Cunningham had a son who is recorded to have been initiated in 1675. Now my doubt in the translation is referred to the phrase:
and haue forever hereafter excluded and discharges to admit of any but his majesties servants; and they also to be of the degree of esquire.
As far as I have understood, it should means: we have excluded everyone who is not a servant of the sovereign and even those who have been admitted must have the minimum degree of esquires.
I have understood correctly? Thank you in advance for any help.