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

The office of Warden descended into Freemasonry from the medieval English trade guilds, where Wardens served as presiding officers as early as the fourteenth century 1. By the early seventeenth century, English guilds were routinely governed by a Master and Wardens 1. While earlier English Masonic manuscript Constitutions do not mention the office, regulations adopted in 1663 specified that the society be governed by a Master and Wardens 1. In Scottish operative lodges, governance was historically held by a Deacon and a single Warden who managed funds, though some lodges recognized a Master and Warden by 1670 1. Scottish lodges later adopted the practice of electing both a Senior and Junior Warden to conform with the system of a Master and two Wardens that became standard around the time of the 1717 revival 21.

As the second officer in a lodge, the Senior Warden is charged with assisting the Worshipful Master in opening and governing the lodge 34, directly supervising the Craft while at labor 134. In the absence of the Master, the Senior Warden presides over the lodge 14, appointing another brother (other than the Junior Warden) to temporarily occupy his station in the West 1. He also holds the privilege of appointing the Senior Deacon 4.

Symbolically, the Senior Warden sits in the West, representing the column of Strength and the right-hand pillar of Solomon's Temple 1. His jewel of office is the level, an emblem of equality among the Brethren while at labor 1. His miniature column stands erect while the lodge is at labor and is laid prostrate during refreshment 13. Under traditional Masonic law, having served as a Warden is a prerequisite for election to the office of Master 3.

The Senior Warden presides over the Craft while at labor, whereas the Junior Warden presides while the lodge is in refreshment 4.

Under the Master, the Senior Warden is responsible for the conduct of the lodge during labor, assisting in its government and enforcing orders 3. His column stands erect while the lodge is at labor to signal its status to the Craft 3. He directs the Senior Deacon—an officer of his own appointment—to carry his messages 34. Should the Worshipful Master be absent, deceased, or removed, the Senior Warden assumes the governance of the lodge 41.

The Junior Warden observes the time, calling the Craft from labor to refreshment and back again at the Master's command 3. During refreshment, his column is raised while the Senior Warden's is laid prostrate 3. He is specifically charged with ensuring that refreshment is not converted into intemperance or excess 3. Historically responsible for examining visitors, the Junior Warden retains the duty of appointing the Stewards 4. Because he supervises the Craft during refreshment, it also falls to the Junior Warden, when ordered by the Master or Grand Master, to prefer charges against brethren suspected of Masonic misconduct 3. If both the Master and the Senior Warden are absent or deceased, the Junior Warden succeeds to the temporary governance of the lodge 4.