What is the Regius poem?

What is the Regius poem?

The Regius Poem, also known as the Halliwell Manuscript, is one of the oldest known Masonic documents, dating back to the late 14th or early 15th century. It is significant as it outlines the early regulations and principles of the Masonic craft, emphasizing the importance of geometry and moral conduct among masons. The poem begins with the line, “Hic incipiunt constituciones artis gemetriae secundum Eucyldem” (Here begin the constitutions of the art of Geometry according to Euclid), highlighting the foundational role of geometry in Freemasonry. The document is considered a royal or kingly text, as it was part of Henry VIII's Royal Library, thus earning the name 'Regius'【4:3†source】【4:5†source】.