All newly initiated Brethren are taken by surprise at the dinner (Festive Board) following their first meeting when the first toast is followed by “Fire”.  Most soon come to grips with this new phenomenon, but very few understand its derivation.

The firing of gun salutes to mark special events, important announcements and proclamations is a traditional military practice that is still followed today e.g. the Queen’s official birthday, the start of the two minutes silence on Remembrance Sunday, etc.  In the past, the firing of guns or a volley of muskets was also done after toasts on special occasions.  One of the earliest references is in the possession of the Preston Guild dated 1682, when the Mayor and his entourage on passing through the principal gates and the market place halted, broached a barrel of ale and drank the health of the King, Queen and Nobility, after which a volley of musketry was fired.  Certainly drinking customs of the 18th century were noisy and demonstrative, and Masonic practice naturally followed the fashion of the times.

Masonic toasts were first mentioned in 1719 when, according to Anderson’s “Constitutions”, the new Grand Master – Dr Desaguliers – “… revived the old regular and peculiar toasts or healths of the Freemasons”.  Masonic “Fire” is first mentioned in a French Masonic exposure – “Le Secret des Francs-Maçons” – published in 1742.  It is not clear whether the tradition started in France and then spread to England or vice-versa, but it is certain that it has no deep significance or symbolism and is simply a survival of a convivial custom derived from a cheerful and boisterous drinking habit.  Epithets should therefore not be applied to it, although “quick fire” is most appropriate in a military Lodge in recognition of the British Infantry’s superb ability to fire three or more musket volleys per minute – the 3 to 1 ratio has often been given as one of reasons why we defeated the French at Waterloo! 

Originally the glasses used for such toasts had rounded bottoms formed of solid glass in an effort to make them unbreakable when banged on the table.  This also ensured that the glass had to be drained at each toast.  Today, those Lodges that still use “Firing-glasses” utilise ones with flattened bottoms in an effort to conform to modern drink-drive laws!

There are innumerable versions of Craft Fire in various parts of England and none has any claim to being correct.  In Hampshire the procedure usually follows a series of seven triads: - The Firer says: - “Point left right, point left right, point left right, 1 – 2 – 3”, followed by one clap + three claps, one clap + three claps and one clap + three claps. 

“Fire” has evolved in the other degrees and tends to be more universal across the various units.


Author: V.W. Bro Roger Hugh Jago