masons, and proceeded in ample form to lay the foundation of the chapel, at
the east end of Westminster Abbey, which bears his name.

The fraternity continued to flourish in the next reigns; and in the reign
of Elizabeth, about 1550, Sir Thos. Sackville, then grand master, assembled
the general lodge at York, which is said to have roused the jealousy of the
queen; and she intended to break up the meeting, but being informed that
they did not meddle with politics, she withdrew her orders, and permitted
them to meet unmolested. Sackville was succeeded by Sir Thomas Gresham, in
the south, who built the Royal Exchange, and by Francis Russell, Earl of
Bedford, in the north.

Masonry continued to flourish in the next reign, under Inigo Jones, as
grand master, till 1618, when the Earl of Pembroke succeeded him; and after
some more changes, Jones again was elected, and continued to preside till
his death, in 1646. But the civil war again obstructed the progress of the
order, until the Restoration, when it revived under the auspices of Charles
II.

In 1663, the Earl of St. Alban's was elected grand master, who appointed
Mr. (afterwards Sir Christopher) Wren his deputy; which office he held
until 1685, when he was himself appointed to the grand chair. During his
deputy-ship he erected many noble buildings, particularly the cathedral of
St. Paul's.

The short reign of James II. was not favourable to the order of masons; nor
did it begin again to revive for many years. King William III. was
initiated privately in 1695, and approved the choice of Sir Christopher
Wren as grand master; but shortly after, and during the whole reign of
Queen Anne, the society decreased gradually, for the grand master's age