where did the office of junior warden come from in craft masonry and what are his duties

Government by a Master and two Wardens adapted the structure of medieval English craft guilds, which elected Wardens as early as the fourteenth century before the title of Master came into common use under James I 5. In operative and early speculative records, such as the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel), the single office of Warden preceded the distinction between Senior and Junior Wardens, which was formally introduced into that lodge's list of officers in 1737 1. Historically, the Junior Warden was tasked with examining visitors 2 and ushering in visiting deputations until dedicated positions such as the Master of Ceremonies were created 1.

In the lodge, the Junior Warden sits in the South and governs the Craft during hours of refreshment, calling the lodge from labor to refreshment and back again at the Master's command 235. He is charged with seeing that refreshment does not convert into intemperance or excess 3. Because he supervises conduct during these times, he is also responsible for preferring charges against brethren suspected of Masonic misconduct when ordered to do so by the Master or Grand Master 3. Additionally, he holds the right to appoint the lodge Stewards 2. His jewel of office is the plumb 5, and his emblem of authority is a replica column representing the left-hand pillar of King Solomon's Temple, which stands erect while the lodge is at refreshment and lies prostrate while at labor 35.

In the line of succession, if both the Master and Senior Warden are absent or deceased, the Junior Warden assumes the governance of the lodge and makes temporary appointments for the vacant stations 2. Spiritually, Wilmshurst interprets the Junior Warden as personifying illuminated human understanding, representing the balance-point where natural reason meets spiritual intuition 4.

Before medieval craft guilds adopted the titles of Master and Wardens, their elected presidents were originally called Aldermen 5. Wardens themselves initially served as the chief presiding officers who summoned meetings, enacted trade ordinances, and exercised judicial authority over the guild 5. The title of Master was introduced later for the chief officer during the reign of Elizabeth, eventually establishing the structure of governance by a Master and Wardens that was subsequently carried over into Masonic lodges 5.