Cowans Intruders and Eavesdroppers to Freemasonry
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W Bro Jeffrey Borsack, SLGR., PPrAGDC, PPrGStB (RA), UGLE lecturer, writes:
At the opening Ritual of every meeting, we hear the Junior Warden ask the Inner Guard to describe the situation of the Tyler. The Inner Guard replies that the Tyler can be found outside the door of the Lodge. His duties are to keep off all “Cowans, Intruders and Eavesdroppers to Freemasonry" (yes, this depends on your ritual, but let’s not be pernickety!)
You may, however, ask yourself, "who are these persons who wish to gain entrance to our Lodge by foul means?
An intruder is an unqualified person wishing to enter to obtain our secrets.
An eavesdropper is an old English word, which came into being in the olden days when the roofs of buildings and houses extended almost to the ground, and a person could stand underneath in the eaves to shelter from the weather. There, they could hear what was being said, particularly as Lodges were held in similar buildings and there were usually no windows. Our secrets could therefore be "heard". Today, the doors of Lodges are also usually thick and heavy, in order to reduce the noise coming from inside – for the same reason.
But what is a "Cowan" (sometimes Cowen)? This is a Scottish word, describing a man who works as a stonemason and was an Apprentice to the Master of a Lodge of Masons but did not finish his apprenticeship. He still works as "cheap labour", which means he cannot be a Member of a Lodge of Masons. (It’s no surprise that Masonry has so much in common with Guilds).
In the records of Edinburgh Castle, during the 1500s when repairs were being undertaken, a Master of a Lodge was reported as employing 'Cowens' and was fined £25 by the authorities – a veritable fortune in those days.
And why is a Scottish word used in such arcanery? It is because of the Scots’ deep involvement in establishing Freemasonry. History informs us that at the time of the Crusades in the 11th-12th Centuries, there was a band of Warrior Knights, the Knights Templar, who took that name from the temple at Jerusalem. They were considered the best of the Knights and became a religious Order, sworn to the Service of God, taking a vow of poverty for themselves, with rules of admittance on the pain of death on disclosing them.
This order was highly respected and trusted by the Kings of the European nations taking part in the Crusades; and they took over the Island of Malta. There, they became bankers to the Crusades by transferring sums of money between the countries taking part, and also organising trade. This, unsurprisingly, made the Templars both wealthy and powerful.
In 1307, King Phillip the Fair (very much only in name) was King of France. He was in great debt to the Knights Templar – and so was his good friend, the Pope. The Pope accordingly declared that the secrets of the Knights Templar were the work of the devil, the Knights Templar were Devil Worshippers and Heretics, and promptly excommunicated them.
On the night of Friday February 13th, 1307, Papal forces attacked the Temple and killed or tortured the knights there. It is believed they crucified the Master of the Knights, Jacques Molay.
Some of the Knights managed to escape to Scotland, where their King, Robert the Bruce, who had also been excommunicated, allowed them in, recognising them to be skilful warriors. Later, at the Battle of Bannockburn, the Scots defeated the English with the assistance of the Knights, who accordingly became a respected part of Scottish society and trusted members of the King’s Court.
Whilst installed in Scotland, the Knights built the Rosslyn Chapel, which contains many Masonic Symbols and was thought at one time to hold the ‘Chalice of the Last supper’.
Thus, when James VI of Scotland became James I of England, the descendants of the Knights brought their version of Masonry with them, and over time the ideals of Freemasonry became known and enjoyed by the Enlighted men of that time. Among their number came to be Samuel Pepys and Christopher Wren, and so from the Enlightenment onwards, with input from other distinguished scholars, Freemasonry grew into the Craft we enjoy today – including the Scottish word, “Cowan”.
Long may it continue to evolve for the benefit of its Members.
This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 61 – Summer 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in Arena Issue 61 here.
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