The Minute book of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel), No 1, has two entries on the 3rd of July 1634, which are the earliest records of non-operatives being admitted into a Masonic Lodge, anywhere in the world and therefore the earliest minute of speculative Freemasonry. It is believed that John Mylne, Master Mason to Charles I and Charles II, invited the Alexander brothers to join the Lodge as two of them were Master of Works to the King (and the successors to William Schaw) and needed to also become Warden Generals of the Craft. Could the Alexander family have carried Freemasonry down from Edinburgh to London whilst they attended the court of the Stuart Kings? 

The 3 day off Jouly 1634

“The quhilk day The Right honirabel my Lord Alexander/ is admitet foloue off the craft be [by] Houe fforest dken [Deacon/Master] and Alexander/ Nesbet Warden and the hell rest off the mesteres off mesones/ off edenbrogh and ther to eurie mester heath supscriuet with/ ther handes or set to ther markes.”

This Lord Alexander, Viscount Canada was the eldest son of the first Earl of Stirling.

The 3 day off Joulie 1634

“The quhilk day Antonie Alexander Right honirabell/ Mester off Work to hes magestie be [by] admissione off Houe Forest/ deken and Alexander Nesbet warden and the hell rest off/ The Mesteres off mesones off edenbroch and ther to eurie/ mester neath supscriuet with ther handes or eles set/ to ther markes.”

Sir Anthonie Alexander was the second son of the Earl of Stirling. At the time of his admission into the Lodge, he was the Master of Work and Master Gunner to Charles I.

Later on in 1638, their younger brother also joined the Lodge:

The saxtin day off februarie/ 1638/

“The qwich day in presanc off ye honiraball companie off/ The ansient Loudg off edenbroch Johne Mylln bing dekin/ and Thomas Hendslie warden the right worthie and/ honeraball Mr off work to hes magstie Herie/ Alexander is admitet ane felowe and brother/ amongst us in presanc off the heall frimen/ and mesteres off the broch off edr and therto wie heave/set to our hands or marks.”

Henry Alexander was the third son of the first Earl of Stirling and younger brother to Sir Anthony whom he succeeded as Warden General and Master of Work to the King. 

Further information on Wikipedia: 

• William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling – Wikipedia
• Earl of Stirling – Wikipedia
• Alexanders of Menstrie – Wikipedia
• Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland – Wikipedia

Books by the 1st Earl of Stirling:

• Register of royal letters relative to the affairs of Scotland & Nova Scotia from 1615 to 1635; Volume 1: Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of.
• Register of royal letters relative to the affairs of Scotland & Nova Scotia from 1615 to 1635; Volume 2: Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of.
• The Psalmes of King David : translated by King Iames : Stirling, William Alexander 
• The poetical works of Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, etc. : now first collected and edited, with memoir and notes : Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of, 1567 or 8-1640.
• An encouragement to colonies. : Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of, 1567 or 1568-1640.
• The monarchicke tragedies … : Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of.
• A paraenesis to the Prince : Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of.
• Aurora : containing the first fancies of the authors youth : Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of.

Books related to the 1st Earl of Stirling:

• Memorials of the earl of Stirling and of the house of Alexander, Volume 1 – Google Books
• Memorials of the Earl of Stirling and of the House of Alexander, Volume 2 – Google Books
• Royal Letters, Charters, and Tracts, Relating to the Colonization of New Scotland, and the Institution of the Order of Knight Baronets of Nova Scotia, 1621-1638 : Laing, David, 1793-1878.