history

The Founding of Greyfriars Preceptory

                Saint Francis, the founder of  the Order of Greyfriars, was born at Assisi in 1182. He was a religious enthusiast, and sought in his life to carry out the injunction “Sell all that thou hast give to the poor”. Like-minded men gathered round him, and these he sent forth to preach. Thus was founded the great Order of St. Francis, known as Franciscans. In token of humility they termed themselves the Lesser Friars or Friar Minors. Hence they were called Minorites, while from the colour of  their cloaks they were popularly styled Greyfriars.

                They arrived in England in 1224, crossed the Tweed about eight years later, and settled in various places in Scotland. It was long ere they reached Stirling. King James IV., who afterwards fell at Flodden, was filled with remorse  for the part he had played opposing his father at Sauchieburn, as a consequence of which James III. died under the assassin’s knife at Milton Mill. He sought spiritual consolation from the Greyfriars, and it was by their advice he wore a penitential iron belt under his garments. He wished to have the Greyfriars nearer to him, as Stirling was his favourite residence, and so in 1494 he erected, at his own expense, a monastery for them, on the ground where the ex High School of Stirling stands, now the Stirling Highland Hotel. The King prohibited the masters of  the work from accepting assistance, even to the extent of a nail, in the construction of the buildings, so that the credit in the eyes of God should be his alone. James heard Mass daily with the Greyfriars, and lived in the Monastery for long periods. All this sadness displeased the courtiers, and William Dunbar, the poet, expressed the prevailing opinion in his famous Dirge in which he implores the King to give up the Friary with its meager fare, and go to Edinburgh, which was a merry town, He says:-

“Come hame and dwell nae mair in Stirling,

  From hideous hell come hame and dwell,

  Where fish to sell is none but spirling,

  Come hame and dwell nae mair in Stirling.”

The Greyfriars Monastery included the whole area where the ex High School now stands, with its playground, the site of the old Free South Church and the Trades Hall, right to the old Town wall. At one period the monks possessed a considerable portion of the slope of the Back Walk. The buildings consisted of church, cloister, refectory, dormitory, and belfry with bell, and there was a burial ground and also a garden.

The monks occupied their time in constant care of the poor. Unlike some other Orders, the Greyfriars set up their dwellings among the people, in towns only, in the most thickly populated areas. Of studious habits, they copied many books by hand, and the Stirling convent library was famed.

Certain historical incidents took place within its walls. During the dispute with England, which culminated on Flodden Field, the English ambassador could make no progress with negotiations, and could only report delays in his mission, because King James was still living with the Greyfriars at Stirling.

In the early days of Mary Queen of Scots when the Reformation was stirring, the Regent Arran within the Monastery renounced the Protestant faith, and was absolved by Cardinal Beaton.

The Greyfriars were finally swept away in 1559 in the crisis of the Reformation, after an honourable career of sixty-five years, a very short period compared with centuries during which the Blackfriars in their monastery in Murray Place and the Augustinians at Cambuskenneth had lived at Stirling.

The buildings were utterly destroyed. In 1567, Queen Mary granted the site and the ruins to the Town Council for the Purpose of a hospital for the poor, but the Earl of Argyle had seized the ground, and in 1573 he was still keeping the Council out. The later history of the place does not concern the Greyfriars.

A letter from JOHN BOWERS, dated the 1st of October 1919, set in motion the Preceptory and Priory of GREYFRIARS, STIRLING. The letter reads as follows.

  Dear Frater Dick,

Now that you are so strong in numbers in STIRLING, I wonder that you do not open a Preceptory and Priory. I don’t think that you would have much trouble in procuring a Charter for STIRLING. I feel that our own Preceptor would help you all that he could.  

I think that it is a great pity, that any of you who wish to take a Degree, or witness a Ceremony, should travel to EDINBURGH to do so, or to FALKIRK. I think your numbers in STIRLING, MASONICALLY, should guarantee you a nice select Preceptory and Priory. Why not attempt to have your own?

Kindest Fraternal Wishes,

Yours in Faith,

John Bowers.

PS           Seeing you going round the Chapel on the 24th inst. set me thinking.

J.B.

As a result of the above and after contacting other Fratres. A circular dated the 3rd of September 1921 was sent to founder members as follows.

1 Melville Terrace,

Stirling 3/9/21.

Dear Sir and Frater,

Your are requested to attend a meeting, to be held in the NORTH PARISH CHURCH room, Murray Place STIRLING, on Wednesday evening , 7th curt at 8 o’clock, for the purpose of considering the possibility of establishing a Preceptory, in the Town of  STIRLING.

I trust you will make it convenient to attend,

Yours Faithfully and Fraternally

 David Dick.

As a result of the Circular, on the Wednesday, Six (6) Fratres from ST. JOHN CANNONGATE, KILWINNING, and two (2) from FALKIRK, Preceptories, attended. An apology was intimated on behalf of a Frater from St. John’s., who was away from home.

Frater DICK, at the unanimous request of those present, assumed the Chair. He explained the reason for the meeting, and outlined his position. The meeting was opened for a full and frank discussion.

Frater GRIFFITH W. JONES moved the following:-

“That this meeting of Fratres, all of whom are in good standing, in their Mother Preceptories, formally resolve to petition, GREAT PRIORY, for the Grant of a Charter.”

This was seconded by Frater J. CAMPBELL McLEAN, and was unanimous.

The following Fraters were nominated for OFFICE:-

All the above to constitute the committee. It was agreed that the Preceptory should go under the Appellation of:-

THE PRECEPTORY OF GREYFRIARS STIRLING.

Founder members Fees to be Two Guineas and this would constitute them as Life Members of the Preceptory.

Application Fees should be Five Guineas. Test Fees and Life Membership to be decided at a later meeting.

It was agreed that the meetings of the Preceptory be held as  follows:-

FESTIVAL OF THE HOLY CROSS   The 14th Day of  SEPTEMBER.

MUSTERS                                                             The 1st Wed. of each Month Oct. - Apr. Inc.

The meeting then closed.

Meetings were held in the venue on the 15/9/21 and 5/10/21, when it was agreed that we purchase from Colonel SPENCE from AIRDRIE, subject to being granted a Charter the following Provisionally.

12 Large Candlesticks @ £2.10/-    (£2.50p) each

  2 Small Candlesticks @ £1.17/-    (£1.87 1/2p) each

and to purchase 300 yards of cloth at 2/4d per yard (12p) for Temple Clothing.

At the Meeting on the 22/11/21, a Communication from GREAT PRIORY granting a Charter, was read.

It was agreed to suggest either Friday the 13th or Wednesday the 18th of Jan. 1922 as the Consecration and Installation date.

It was agreed to confirm the order for the Candle sticks and Cloth, and to Purchase a further 100 yards, to have 6 extra Cloak and Caps made for Visitors.

The Secretary to write to, the Secretary of Lodge Royal Arch No. 76 for the use of Lodge Rooms for Preceptory Meetings.

Consideration was given to Preceptory Furniture and Property, and what would be required, such as:-