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History
The Lodge was formed and consecrated on the
13th December 1880 on the petition of the Lodge of Economy
No. 76 at their meeting on the 30th January 1880. In its
turn, the lodge sponsored the formation of Caer Gwent
Lodge in 1928 and Faith and Confidence Lodge in 1968.
William of Wykeham, whose name the lodge bears, was born
in the 1320s and died in 1404. He was of humble origins
(born in the hamlet of Wickham), but rose to be, at
various times, Clerk of Works at Windsor Castle (also
looking after Leeds, Dover and Hadleigh castles), Lord
Privy Seal, Chancellor of England, and Bishop of
Winchester. He was responsible for the remodelling of the
nave of Winchester Cathedral. Also, he founded two
educational establishments: New College at Oxford and
Winchester College here in the city. His well-known motto
was Manners
Makyth Man.
His effigy (below) lies in his chantry, unscathed as a
consequence, so it is said, of Colonel Fiennes - who had
attended the college as a boy - protecting it from the
ravages of his soldiers during the Cromwellian attack on
the cathedral crying, with sword drawn in its defence,
"You shall not harm the founder".
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