where did the office of inner guard come from in craft masonry and what are his duties

Prior to the Union of 1813, certain lodges operated without Deacons or an Inner Guard, the office being appointed following the return of deputations from the Lodge of Reconciliation, as a paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge records. When the Inner Guard was added to the regular officers of a lodge after the Union, he was initially armed with a short blade or poignard, taking over part of the ancient practice where the entrance had been guarded by the Tiler 1.

The officer serves as the keeper of the lodge on the hither side of the portal 2. He ensures that candidates are prepared before entering the lodge, as the United Grand Lodge of England notes. The same body lists the Inner Guard as a regular officer taking precedence for investiture after the Assistant Secretary and before the Stewards. His jewel of office consists of crossed swords 2.