BONDMAN

In the fourth article of the Halliwell or Regius Manuscript, which is the earliest Masonic document known, it is said that the Master shall take good care that he make no bondman an apprentice, or, as it is in the original language :

The fourth artycul thys moste be, That the Mayster hymn wel be-se, That he no bondemon prentys make.

The regulation is repeated in all the subsequent regulations, and is still in force (see Freebom).