HOW THE MASONS ASSERTED AND FLAUNTED THEIR NEW-WON INDEPENDENCE IN 13th CENTURY FRANCE

by Rupert Pennick

What might be termed the ‘Cathedral crusade’ was in effect a building competition which led to a new style of architecture which became known as Gothic. The churchmen had for long understood the fundamental principles of building, but their problem started when they encouraged these new forms of construction. Its very technical complexity made the bishops and clergy dependent on the mason instead of the other way round, for only the mason had the time to study the building profession and the experience to adapt to the constantly changing styles.

It did not take the mason long to realize how important he had become. He asked for higher pay and flaunted his independence by dressing up in silk and satin; and in contrast to the short-cropped hair and clean-shaven face of his master he allowed his hair to grow and sported a beard. With an irreverent curse the mason thought nothing of contradicting the bishop who employed him.

The bishop, angered by this behaviour, was reluctant to correct the mason in case the offended mason took his skill and tools to the service of a rival bishop.

In 1320, the church decided the time for action was ripe. The bishops, cathedral crusade or not, decided to put aside their rivalries and unite. An order went out from all cathedrals and abbeys. “The masons must shave off their beards and cut their hair short”. The masons refused and immediately called a strike; and all building in France stopped. After a while the bishops threatened the masons with imprisonment, trial for heresy, and torture. The masons waited a few weeks more and after holding a meeting made an announcement. “The order would not be obeyed. In fact it must be rescinded. If it were not, the brotherhood of masons would systematically burn to the ground every last church, monastery and cathedral in France”.

When we consider the vast power of the 13th century Church, this was indeed an incredible ultimatum. Nevertheless, the bishops backed down. Still long-haired and bearded, the masons gave the word to resume work, and the cathedral crusade continued.

The mason also continued to gain prestige, position and prosperity until he was equal in all respects to a university professor. Earlier in the middle ages the only acknowledged professional masons were from Byzantium. The masons were not a professional force in the West until the Byzantine experts were brought by European rulers to construct Romanesque style buildings.

As the rise of the Romanesque increased building activity the mason began to learn mathematics, and he gained the ability to reason. Travel, at the instruction of his master, helped him to become a sophisticated man. The mason ‘lent’ from one master to another realized that he was unique. His lowly birth did not prevent him doing what others could not do. He found subservience intolerable; he signed his name to his work, he began altering styles, he countered the monotonous uniformity so popular during the Middle Ages.

The masons were one of the major factors in the escape of mankind from the feudal system. By working a year and a day at the same trade, such as masonry, a serf could earn his freedom. Many masons became rich men and proved to the world at large that honour comes not from birth but from mastery of one’s trade.