Brethren, distinguished guests and friends,
It is my honor as Worshipful Master to welcome you to our Festive Board. Before we commence with our celebration, I’d like to share some history about this cherished Masonic tradition.
The roots of our Festive Board tradition can be traced back even further than many realize. The Schaw Statutes of 1598, authored by William Schaw, Master of Works to King James VI of Scotland, specifically mention a banquet to be paid for by newly entered Freemasons and Fellows of the Craft. This early reference shows that communal dining has been an integral part of Masonic tradition since before the formation of speculative Freemasonry.
The Masonic Festive Board as we know it today further developed in the early days of speculative Freemasonry in 18th century England. Following the formation of the first Grand Lodge in 1717, Masons would gather at taverns or inns after their formal Lodge meetings for fellowship, refreshment, and fraternal bonding. These informal gatherings eventually evolved into the structured Festive Boards we know today.
Table Lodges, closely related to Festive Boards, have a particularly rich history. They represent a formal dining ceremony conducted within a tiled Lodge, where Masonic protocols blend with dining traditions. In early Freemasonry, the distinction between Lodge meetings and dining was less defined than it is today. Brothers would often conduct business around the dining table, with the Lodge furniture arranged alongside their meal.
The French Masonic influence is especially evident in Table Lodge ceremonies. French Masons developed elaborate dining rituals where toasts were fired with military precision, glasses were handled according to specific protocols, and a formal agenda governed the proceedings. Many of these French traditions were adopted by American Lodges in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly during and after the Revolutionary War when French-American relations were strong.
The traditional Table Lodge features specific terminology: the table becomes the “trestle board,” wines and spirits are “firing powder,” glasses are “cannons,” bottles are “barrels,” and the act of drinking becomes “firing.” This military nomenclature reflects both the regimented nature of the ceremony and the historical period when many military men were Masons.
Seven formal toasts typically form the backbone of a traditional Table Lodge: to the country, the craft, the Grand Lodge, the Worshipful Master, the Wardens, the visiting brethren, and to all Masons wherever dispersed. Each toast follows a prescribed format that has been preserved through generations.
Today’s Festive Board represents the modern evolution of these traditions. While we may have relaxed some of the more rigid protocols, the essential purpose remains unchanged: to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood through shared celebration, to honor our traditions, and to enjoy each other’s company in a setting less formal than the Lodge room.
As we gather around these tables tonight, we participate in a tradition that connects us directly to our Masonic forebears across centuries. Let us remember that behind the ceremonies and protocols lies the true purpose of our gathering: fellowship, charity, and brotherhood.
With that brief history, I invite you all to enjoy our Festive Board in the true spirit of Masonic fellowship.
Danut Prisacaru
Worshipful Master, 2024-2025
University Lodge No. 1190 A.F. & A.M.
Austin, Texas
