This Officer is only mentioned in Masonic records after the Union of the two rival Grand Lodges in 1813.
Before then, the conduct of ceremonies and ritual would have been entirely under the control of the Master and Wardens, and Deacons in the Antient Lodges.
Following the Union, there seems to have been a move on the part of the Rulers in the Craft to move towards a more standardised ritual to bring together the previously rival traditions.
To this end, Lodges needs an expert Brother who could ensure the ritual was worked correctly.
