UPREME GRAND CHAPTER of ROYAL ARCH MASONS of ENGLAND ESPECIAL CONVOCATION r st July, 1966 London Freemasons' Hall 1966 Lawrence Roger, 11th Earl of Scarbrough, K.G. First Grand Principal, 1951- I. T r CIV Vi iting Delegations 2. To receive Their Excellencies the Grand Principals 3. To open Supreme Grand Chapter 4. To welcome Visiting Delegations 5. To receive an Address on the origins of the Supreme Grand Chapter by E. Comp. A. R. Hewitt 6. To close Supreme Grand Chapter \ 11111'1 IIIMIIII 11111111.111'(11111 Ill' 11, Ill(' l Jukt- or SllS~l'X,1 by E, • mp, A. I . HEWITT, P.C.st.B. I .ihrruian and urator, United Grand Lodge of England. Introduction The founding of Grand Chapter The Charter of Compact The first subordinate Chapters Some early famous Royal Arch Masons The 'Antients' The early years Representation in Grand Chapter An attempted schism Period of stagnation The new century Events leading to 'Union' The 'Union' Supreme Grand Chapter Appendix I: York and Wigan Appendix II: The Charter of Compact, 1766 (') The complete version of the Address delivered in Grand Chapter. IlIjl'CI(lud .tI. dHI 1IIIIII'rI 1111Irlllll Id Ill' IlOdfJ.I',1'"ll1ldl,,1 I I 1"1. I 1,111 d,I,' 1'1 '1'11(' ol'i ill 01 I{o nl 1'('11Mnsolll'Y i. I ~lrI,jl'I I 111111"I I I 11I I rI 1111' I", IIIIIIIIII'd III 1111'111111111 d'lIlT, 1111'11ill I{il d 1'1'11,'11 follows' he rules mind' r mas ni s h lars r I' III re thall Oil' hllllLiI'('d 1'111 ,11111,III 1\1111'01 I11I1 '111111,','I 11' Irllll WIII'I'II!1(,d Lac/go possesses the p w r I f rrning research by th se of the pr s nt . n~ury, t wl: ',11 S Illll~'h I, 1I~I'd, I 11'1,"IS .uul hoklin l.od "s ill ('adl r LlI se S v'l':tl cl gr ,that last of which, from still much to do before the truth IS discovered, If It v r will It, SOl "" lu-licvc ils PI'('-('Jllin('IIG', is den minat cl am n Masons a Chapter.' that the third degree and the Royal Arch had a common origin an I that ~h former led to the latter, a point of view supported by the fact that that which The founding of Grand Chapter was lost in the third is found in the Royal Arch, Others have suggested that, It was the attitude of official disfavour on the part of the Premier Grand at one time, it was part of the third degree cer~mony which wa~ mutilated to L dg towards the Royal Arch in the 1750s and early 1760s which led its provide a 'fourth', a view rejected by scholars m more r~cent times, ~noth~r Royal Arch members to establish a body to encourage, govern and control t~e view was that the ceremony was imported from the continent, but this agam degree. The need for such a body became stronger as the degree grew ID has been rejected, Anderson in his 1723 Constitu~ions refers to the Royal.Art popularity with many distinguished 'Moderns' joining the order. The 'Antient' on numerous occasions, to the right of congregatmg members of a lodge ~nt.o masons felt no need for a separate body, the degree being accepted as a part a Chapter and to the assembling of the Grand Chapter or Lodge, Some, It IS of masonry by their own Grand Lodge which encouraged it and watched over suggested, read too much into these allusions and are .to? ready to accept them its affairs as is evident from a minute of that Grand Lodge, dated March 2, as evidence of the existence of the Royal Arch within a few years of the 1757, when it was ordered that the 'Masters of the Royal Arch shall ... be founding of Grand Lodge. Arguments of the scholars concerning the ori~in summoned to meet and regulate things relative to that most valuable branch of the degree cannot be considered here but there is no doubt that something of the Craft.' With this example before them and the opposition of their own was taking shape in the 1730s which later became the Royal Arch .though the Grand Lodge the 'Mod erns' Royal Arch Masons saw no future for the degree form and content of that 'something' is still obscure, It was not until 1744 that unless something was done to foster and encourage its development. So the printed reference to it occurred, firstly in Faulkner's Dublin Journal where seeds of the first Grand Chapter were sown. It had its beginnings at a meeting mention is made of a 'Royal Arch carried by two Excellent Masons' and at the Turk's Head, in Gerrard Street, Soho, London, of 'Companions of the secondly in Dr. Fifield D'Assigny's Serious and Impartial Enquiry into the cause E.G. & R.C. commonly called the Royal Arch ... this twelfth day of June, of the present decay of Freemasonry in Ireland, 1744. The first of these may 1765, in full Chapter assembled' to quote the minutes of that meeting. There have been a reference to an ornamental arch carried in procession, The had been five earlier informal meetings at which brethren 'passed the Arch', importance of the second reference is, of course, beyond doubt-e-it indicates paid fees, and on one occasion conducted 'particular business relating to that a reputable brother was made a Royal Arch Mason in London some few the lodge.' At what might be described as the inaugural meeting on the years before. Laurence Derr:lo~t, in later years, rec?rded. ~hat he ~as l~ade a 12th June the Companions resolved to hold a Chapter monthly, settled fees Royal Arch' Mason in Dublin m 1746. What ever Its ongm there IS evidence payable, laid down requirements for brethren desiring 'to pass the ~r~h', that the degree was being increasi~gly conferred in England, I~eland and made arrangements regarding safe custody of the cash, and settled similar Scotland in the 1750s, a decade which saw the emergence of a nval Grand matters. These resolutions were described by John Dashwood as a Manifesto Lodge in England, that of the so-called 'An:ients', in, 1751, the rr:en:bers of which was 'virtually the self-conferred Charter under which the Chapter which dubbed the premier Grand Lodge the Moderns ~ecau.se of Its innova- considered itself entitled to act.' They were signed at the following meeting tions in the Craft ritual, facts too well known to need reiteration here. by 29 brethren other signatures being added later. At the first meeting It is curious that, officially, the premier Grand Lodge did not look kindly byelaws were also enacted 'for the regular conducting of the Chapter' being upon the Royal Arch, although many of its I~lembers accepted and. emb;aced a series of resolutions regulating proceedings in the Chapter, the wearing the degree which was worked and conferred m many .Craft lodges m sprte ~f of robes, etc. The first description of a Royal Arch apron is also to be found official opposition. The premier Grand. Lodge's attitude to the Order IS in one of the resolutions which laid down that 'all the Companions wear aprons reflected in two much quoted remarks of ItS Grand Secretary, Samuel Spencer. (except those appointed to wear robes) and the aprons shall be all of one sort 'Our Society is neither Arch, Royal Arch or Antient' he wrote in 1759. Again or fashion, viz., white leather indented round with crimson ribbon and strings in 1767 he stated 'the Royal Arch is a Society we do not acknowledge and of the same, with a THin gold displayed on the bib and purple garters which we hold to be an invention to introduce innovation and to seduce the indented with pink.' Presumably the garter referred to was what is now known brethren.' Spencer was himself a member of the Order which he joined on the as the sash, an obsolete meaning of the word. It is interesting to note that 30th July, 1766! On the other hand, the new 'Antients' Grand ~od(Se familiar Royal Arch names and offices were in use by this time-PZ, PH and acknowledged it with enthusiasm; the degree was openly conferred ID Its PJ, E and N, a Principal Sojourner and Sojourners. Companions elected to lodges with its consent and. approval. Indeed, t~e first printed se.t of Rules office are shown and described as :- and Regulations of the 'Antients' states that ancient m~sonry consists of four Bro. Keck, Senr. PH degrees, the Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the. Sublime Degree of Mas~er, and go on to provide that a brother well versed m these degrees and havinz Bro. Maclean, PZ Bro. Aynson (or Ayanson) PJ 8 9 tlllIllIllIlll I11I 111111111111111111 11111111'"illl'IlllI 111111,111'11 III /1' 1111 WI'II f',IIIIIII'il 11111, (! dIIlWII', "II/If 1/1iI/ SII}IIIIII/I'I '( )111'(111111111"I /111111111111111111/'1,,11'1'111111', 1I uul l'I'I'('II'd Ill(' (:I'uld IIIMIIIIIII·d 1I1'(), FI( W\'I' g \ SI'('/I'/ll/il',1 IIld I{o Id (Ill Ipl"1 "I I'll(' I{o 01 AI'('II (JI .Jrl'IIH ~klll wiLh [ull JJOW('I.' to hi Id Br , In , 11\1,.11 'H N f .uu] ('(lIIVI'1I1 (111 Ipll'I'S :llId :\HSI'III!Jlios, make, alter and aut' r-u law' f r the (In the minutes of the 14th December, 1770, r lOlling t the 'k :lillll 01 /'1(11'011 h('lll'r coudu 'ling and 1" rulatin tb cl gr thr ughout the Globe and to and Principals, reference is made to the M.E.Z., an 1 for the Ilrst t iiuc 10 consti tu L " WI rint nd an 1 r gulate other Chapters. It included provisions Prophet H, and Priest J.), A list of Brethren present on the 12th June is giv n re: rulatin r such matters as who should preside in the absence of the Most in the Minute book, and contains 34 names, A further list of 'Members' I~x 11 nt Grand Master (as he was then called), jewels and regalia, an official includes 51 names (with two deletions), a good beginning for a new body. s al, fees, exaltations, admissions to the Order, meetings and an annual festival. This was by no means the first Chapter, others were already in existence, The jewels to be worn by Grand Officers and Companions of the Order are a fact obvious from the new Chapter's byelaws of December 26th 1766 under illustrated in the margin of the Charter; the breast jewel worn today is which concessions were made in the matter of fees to be paid' by brethren basically the same. The design of the badge, the T over H, is also clearly shown, exalted in 'the Caledonian Chapter, or some Chapter in the Country or beyond The exclusiveness of the Order is emphasised by the Sixth article which the seas.' Very little is known of them. provides that none but discreet and experienced Master Masons shall receive exaltation to this sublime degree, Nowhere is a specific name of the new Chapter given but as the preamble to the first set of resolutions referred to 'Companions of the E.G. & R.C.' As has already been mentioned the Charter was signed by Lord Blayney Excellent Grand and Royal Chapter has always been assumed to have and others on the 22nd July, 1766, the date which it originally bore but it been its title, It was first thought that this body consisted of the Royal Arch now appears to bear the date 22nd July, 1767. The true date at some period brethren of the Caledonian Lodge or old Caledonian Chapter but Sadler and had been tampered with and changed from 1766 to 1767, a falsificatiori Dashwo?d have disproved this. Some kind of special relationship with the exposed in the course of an investigation by J. R. Dashwood in 1951, although Caledoman Chapter, however, was acknowledged, because of the concession as early as 1891 W. H, Rylands' believed that the document was executed in made in respect to its Companions, to which reference has just been made. 1766. Dashwood suggests the following explanation for the falsification :- "We know that, although most of the foremost Grand Officers had been The Chapter continued to meet regularly. It held an anniversary feast and exalted into the Royal Arch, it was not favourably regarded by the 'Modems' elected new Officers on the 8th January, 1766'. A statement of income and Grand Lodge. What then, must have been the horror of its opponents when expenditure for the first year shows an income of £83.18.3 with an expenditure they heard that, not only had the Grand Master allowed himself to be exalted of £84.18.1, a small deficit of 19j10d. In its second year it held 15 meetings during his period of office, but he had also accepted the titular Presidency of the and an anniversary. feas.t. Of these, the meeting of the 11th June, 1766, proved Order as the natural corollary of his Craft Office, had presided at the meetings to be of outstandmg Importance for the future although the minutes are of the Chapter held since his exaltation, and had agreed to a Charter of Compact somewhat laconic-they record 'This night the Right Honble and Right setting up a Grand Chapter with 'power to grant Charters? I think that some Worshipful Grand Master Lord Blayney passed the Royal Arch and became person or persons unknown were determined to try to undo the worst of the a member of the Excellent Grand and Royal Chapter.' Lord Blayney was, of damage by making it appear that Lord Blayney had acted, not in his official capacity as Grand Master, but in his private,.capacity after he had laid down that course, G.rand ¥a~ter of the 'Moderns' and it seems that he was immediately office; the easiest way to effect this was by post-dating the Charter by a year to elected First PrmClpa.1for at the next meeting on July 2nd, 1766, he is shown a time when his successor had been installed, and the insertion of the letter 'P' as such. At that meetmg J ames Heseltine, who was to become Grand Secretary [in front of the words Grand Master] to suggest that he was no longer in Office of the 'Moderns' three years later, was exalted. On July 30th, 1766, Rowland and was acting irresponsibly." (2) Berkeley, Grand Treasurer, and Samuel Spencer, Grand· Secretary, joined. The formation of the Grand Chapter had a mixed reception-a warm Thus four more eminent 'Moderns', as individuals, acknowledged the Royal welcome from the rank and file of the 'Moderns' in, or wishing to become Arch. members of the Order, but with consternation on the part of the leaders of The Charter of Compact that Grand Lodge, particularly as their Grand Master was the head of the new body. Perhaps the most momentous meeting of all was that held on July 22nd, 1766, when the famous Charter of Compact was signed. By thatdocument the In spite of the drawing up of a Charter constituting the original Chapter Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem was constituted and into a supreme body it continued to meet as a Chapter. True, there are our Supreme Grand C~a.pter o~ to-day is the direct descendant of that body. references in the minutes to the First Principal as the E.G.P,Z. and M.E.Z. The mmutes are tantalizingly SIlent on the thought and discussion which the and on the 26th December, 1766, the Companions were reminded that it was preparation of this document must have entailed; its adoption and signing the day for electing Grand Officers when Blayney was continued as 'G.M. of are not even recorded, In addition to Blayney's signature it bears those of James Galloway, Thomas D~nckerley, Francis Flower (the Scribe E.) John (I) TheR.A. Chapter of St. James, 1788-1888, 18g!, p.2. AlIen and others. Further SIgnatures were added at later dates. By this (2) A.Q.C. lxiv, 136. 10 II 1111 1\111,11' 1111 IllIllh 111111 \111 11 I 11111·d 1111 1',1111'1111111111111111111', ,1111101.1 111111111 ,111.111111 11'l'lilll', ,lIllllIll'd 'I I1 111111111111111, '1'111' fllNI Illtill,lIillll 11111 ,I III,III~I' ~.I (,111111111\ III il~ NI till, i~ I Iltilllill' 01 1 111\1I'Iilll-\ Iwlt! (lll LlII' 1111\ (kllll"'I" Ilbll, !I( which i( W!lH 'ol'<1('I','d that ill the ncx; sunuu the IlS (:11:11)(1'1' Ill' dl'sil'vd to :lIt('lld )11 v 'ry spc ial atl'airs.' N thinz more is recorded so wll:l( tile 'spc 'i~dafl'airs' w r is unknown. The first subordinate Chapters It first exercised its powers as a Supreme body on the 13th January, 1769,' I Y authorising the constitution of three subordinate Chapters-No. 1 to Bro. Brook and other Companions to meet privately as might be convenient; No. 2,. to Royal Arch Masons residing at Manchester; and No. 3, to Royal Arch Masons residing at Portsmouth. Of these original Chapters only the third is still in existence, namely, the Chapter of Friendship, now No. 257, Portsmouth. At the same meeting it was ordered that the Past and Present Officers should meet to 'consider of laws and regulations necessary under our present' Compact'. A seal 'for the public' use of the Society according to the plan specified in the Charter' was ordered to be made at the February meeting. So ended the period of restraint. At the January meeting of the following year. several regulations and amendments necessary under the Charter were debated. The matter was again before the Grand Chapter at a number of subsequent meetings but eight years were to elapse before laws and regulations were printed (1778). 'Proper minutes' were ordered to be made which, hitherto, had been sparse in the extreme. On the 14th July, 1769,' Warrants Of Constitution were sealed in respect of four Chapters-No. 1, Bro. Brook's Chapter denominated the Restoration Lodge or Chapter of the Rock, London; No. 2, the Manchester Chapter denominated the Euphrates Lodge or the Chapter of the Garden of Eden; No. 4, the Bethlehem Lodge or Chapter of the Nativity at Burnley; and No. 5, the Cana Lodge or, Chapter of the First Miracle at Colne. The Warrant of the Portsmouth Chapter, No. 3, denominated the Lodge of Tranquillity or Chapter of Friendship, was sealed at the following meeting, 11th August, 1769. There is no obvious reason for the delay in sealing, ; Friendship's Warrant which had been approved in the January. The granting., of a constitution to the Most Sacred Lodge or Chapter of Universality, No. 6,' London, was agreed to on the 13th October, 1769. Another, also numbered 6" was granted to certain Companions to meet 'at Bury, Lancashire, un-named; in the minutes but later denominated the Lodge of Intercourse or Chapter; of Unanimity. An eighth Chapter, Lodge of Hospitality or Chapter of Charity: at Bristol was approved on the 8th December, 1769. Other Warrants followed slowly at intervals but by 1781 a total of 25 had come into existence, mainly in the Provinces. Only three London Chapters had been founded, probably because Grand Chapter itself served most of the needs of the Metropolis. The first overseas Chapter was Warranted in 1774, to meet (rather vaguely) in Bengal; the next, in Calcutta, was Warranted in 1778. In 1780 some Com- panions in Quebec were granted a Warrant but no further information about it appears in the Register. The following year saw the first Warrant for a Chapter in a foreign country, at Genoa, one being granted to Comp. John Cadwallader, 9th Lord Blayney (1720-1775) Collett, the British Consul, and two other Companions. In the same year First Grand Principal, 1766-69 Dunckerley granted a Dispensation to some Companions of the First Regiment of Dragoons quartered at New Sarum for holding a Chapter there for one 12 13 year-in his letter to Grand Chapter Dunckerley reported that they had 'worked under authority from Perth and were exalting gratis'. A Warrant was also granted to Companions of the First Regiment of Foot in 1781 but nothing further is known of Royal Arch activities in these Regiments. Were these the first Military Chapters under the English Constitution? The practice of calling each a Lodge as well as a Chapter has so far gone unexplained. The use of craft titles and expressions was intermingling with an emerging Royal Arch nomenclature and, being a period of transition, it may have been thought desirable to link the established craft with the newly independent degree. Obviously the new Grand Chapter had no pretensions to the right of constituting craft lodges. This early practice of linking a Royal Arch Chapter to a craft lodge was adopted after the 'Union' in 1817 and is followed today. In the matter of the use of craft titles it is noted that the word 'brother' or 'brethren' continued to be current until 1778 or 1779-the first recording in the minutes of 'Companions' present was in the year 1778 but the word 'brother' was used in the body of the minutes for several meetings thereafter. The terms 'Most Excellent Grand Master' and 'Grand Master Z. H. and J.' were used. Indecision in terminology is also evidenced by the frequent change in the title of the Supreme body used in minuting over the years when no fewer than eight different styles occur, namely :- E.G. & R.C. [Excellent Grand & Royal Chapter] M.E.G. & R.C. [Most Excellent Grand & Royal Chapter] G. & R.C. of Jerusalem [Grand & Royal Chapter] M.G. & R.C. [Most Grand & Royal Chapter] G. & RC. [Grand & Royal Chapter] R.A.G.L. [Royal Arch Grand Lodge] G. & R.C. of the R.A. of Jerusalem [Grand & Royal Chapter of the Royal Arch] S.G.C. [Supreme Grand Chapter] SOIueearly famous Royal Arch Masons Of the distinguished Freemasons who joined the Order in the 18th Century mention has already been made of Lord Blayney, Rowland Berkeley, James Galloway, Francis Flower, j'ames Heseltine as well as Laurence Dermott of the 'Antients'. The Dukes of Cumberland and Clarence held the office of Patron. Early First Grand Principals included Lord Blayney, Charles Dillon, john Allen,' Heseltine, Dunckerley, Sir Peter Parker, Ruspini and Lord Rancliffe. The Duke of Manchester, Grand Master from 1777-1782, was exalted in 1778. Distinguished foreign Masons joined, including the Dukes of Pignatelli, Brunswick and Mecklenburg. One of the most distinguished names, both in Royal Arch Masonry and the Craft, is that of Thomas Dunckerley who did so much in promoting the Royal Arch throughout the country. He was exalted in a Portsmouth Lodge in 1754 and was one of the signatories to the H.R.H. Henry Frederick Duke ofCumberland, K.G. (1745-1790) Charter of Compact in 1766. The Minutes contain numerous references to him, chiefly in connection with the work of the Chapters he founded or Patron of the Order, 1774-90 sponsored and with his appointments to the Office of Superintendent in the various Provinces over which he presided, no fewer than 18. He was for a (I) See also p. 32 post. Pi short time Blayney's Deputy and became himself. Firs.t Gran.d Principal in of the imminence of craft union within a few months it is strange that rules 1791. He sometimes allowed his zeal to run away with him for m 1777 he was should have been issued in 1813 at all. From time to time reports and trans- acquainted by 'polite letter' of Grand Cha~ter's d~sapprobation for exalting actions of this body are referred to in the Grand Lodge Minutes as having brethren in Colchester without a regular dlspensatlOn-he was not then the been confirmed or passed. The revised laws and regulations of 1807, contain Superintendent in and over Essex. Again, in 11.80, he i~formed Grand Cha~ter a provision that they are to be considered as a part of the Rules and Orders that he had granted a certain Warrant and a Dispensation, but the Companions of the Grand Lodge. Enough has been said to show that there was complete 'with the utmost respect for Compn. Dunckerley . : . cons.ldered these grants as unity between the 'Antients' Grand Lodge and its Royal Arch body and that exceeding the bounds of his office.' He was a most .mdefahg.able worker and the the so-called Grand Chapter possessed no independence of action; it was in Royal Arch owes much to him. Shortly before his death m 1795 .he wrote to no way comparable with the Supreme Grand Chapter established under the Grand Chapter a letter in which 'he most solemnly declares his surrender Charter of Compact of 1766. (There is evidence that transactions of this body of the office of Superintendent of the several counties, etc. and every ot~er of 'Antients' Royal Arch Masons were recorded but there is now no minute office named in the Grand Chapt.' The minutes merely refer to the receipt book extant). of the letter. His death on the 19th October is later recorded when accounts The appearance of this 'Antients' Royal Arch machinery made no notice- were being examined. The entry reads 'it was judged. proper t?at an enquiry able impact on the Grand Chapter which continued to meet regularly, exalted should be' made of his executors for any Accts. relating to t~llS Order, as .he candidates and issued Warrants, the latter somewhat slowly at first-eleven had received from time to time many sums of money for Registers, etc. which ill the first decade. Blayney remained as First Grand Principal until 1770 when he had never communicated.' Such was all that could be said of him.! There he was succeeded by Charles Dillon. Rowland Holt was elected Patron, an is no comment, no word of appreciation of more than 40 years of service. appointment he held for 3 years to be followed in the next 40 years by only two others, the Duke of Cumberland (exalted in December, 1772), 1774-1790, The 'Antients' and the Duke of Clarence, 1790-1813. After five years of existence of a Supreme and independent ?ody of 'Modern' Royal Arch Masons, the 'Antients' began to react for I~ 1771 The early years appeared signs in their Grand Lodge of a I~lOvement to set up their ~)Wn After difficulties regarding the place of meeting Grand Chapter moved to so-called Grand Chapter as a counterblast. It will be remembered;that, offi~lall~ the new Freemasons' Tavern in December, 1775, when it was agreed to con- the 'Modems' did not recognise a Royal Arch degree whereas the Antients tribute 10 guineas towards the building of the first Freemasons' Hall-events readily accepted it as a valued part of freemasonry and, as such, alre~dy under which created further, if unofficial, links with the Grand Lodge. Again, the the control and supervision of their Grand Lo?ge and not requmng any Grand Lodge approved an application from Grand Chapter for use of the distinct organisation. Realising that, by the setting up of the new Grand Great Hall for an anniversary ball on 10th January, 1777. Chapter, the Modems Royal Arch Mason~ ha? fir~l1ly established t~emselves It will be recalled that at the first meeting held in June, 1765, regulations as the chief exponents of the degree, the Antients sought to establish some for the government of the Chapter and a set of byelaws were agreed. In kind of organisation of their own. March, 1770, it was resolved and agreed that the Officers should meet in At the meeting of the 'Antients' Grand Lodge of the 4th. December, 1771 Committee in order to form byelaws for the regulation of the Grand Chapter Dermott (Dep. G.M.) 'informed Grand Lodge of the proceedmgs. of the Royal but no further reference to the matter appears in the minutes. Eight years Arch meetings, viz. on the 2nd Oct. and 6th Nov. last' but there IS no separ<:,te were to elapse before laws and regulations first appeared in print under the record of such meetings. The Register of Members of the Royal Arch contains title of Abstract of laws for the Society of Royal Arch Masons. The collection notes of what purport to be other similar meetings, mentioning, inter alia, one is prefaced by a homily on operative and speculative masonry, not, we should on the 3rd. January, 1772, but again there is no, ot.he: record. They could hasten to add, in quite such an imaginary vein as that in Anderson's first have been meetings of 'Masters of the Royal Arch similar to that called for Book of Constitutions. Although the Minutes are silent on the subject of on 2nd March, 1757 (to which reference has already been made). <In the 4th byelaws regulating subordinate Chapters it would appear that directions or December, 1771, a matter concerning brethren who had been admitted Royal instructions of some kind were issued in or about the year 1769. The Cana Arch Masons illegally was left for 'the next Grand Chapter', the first use Chapter (one of the first to be constituted) possesses a record apparently of the actual words. Later in the same minutes is a reference to the 'R.A. contemporary with its Warrant of that year, containing 'Principia to be Chapter'. These informal meetings of Royal Arch Masons were, it i.ssuggested, observed by all Regular Constituted Chapters of the Grand and Royal Arch.' suddenly transformed into. a Gran? Chapter as a Im;t~er of expediency. Such Nine principles are set out, the first of which provides 'that as soon as the a body met from time to time but It had no officers or Its own, Its first Regula- Chapter is duly formed an Account shall be transmitted to the Grand Chapter tions (1783) were submitted to the Grand Lodge for approval and were later containing the Names of each respective Officer and Companion and that (1788) ordered to be in~luded in the Gr.and Lodge Circular letter of the year. this be done Annually immediately after the Election'. Others provide 'full From 1794 the Regulations (confirmed m Grand Lodge, 3d December, 1794) powers to make any Bye-laws for their own Government provided they don't were printed as part of the Grand Lodge Model rules, orders and byelaws interfere with the fundamental ones of the Most Excellent Grand and Royal for lodges, and continued so to appear up to the last issue in 1813. In view Chapter' ; for the wearing of jewels and ornaments; against making innova- r6 tions; and other matters. The tenor of these Principia indicate that they were ~nd intention of masonry', a matter which had apparently been raised earlier not made by. the Chapter and must, therefore, have been issued by Grand m Grand Chapter. A P.M.Z. (unnamed in the Minutes) said 'the matter could Chapter for general guidance. If such be the case then the Cana's set is the not be determined or. indeed the examination itself properly entered upon only known copy in existence." wIt!lout. a free ~md ~nmterrupted access to the Antients Druids Library'. To The printed Laws of 1778 commence with a preamble. The first law which library did this refer? In the same year the United Ancient Order of provides 'That .~ccording to ancient custom, a complete Chapter of this Druids was ~ound.ed. in London, an. order imitative of both Freemasonry and supreme degree of Masonry, consists of the three Principals; who, when in Odd fellowship. DId It possess from Its very beginning what Grand Lodge did Chapter assembled, are to be considered conjunctly as The Master; and not even at that date, a library? No more was heard of the enquiry. each severally as.a Master; the three Sojourners, two Scribes, and seventy-two Little is known of Royal Arch ritual at the time of the formation of othe~s, as Council ; and that no regular Chapter of this exalted degree can Supreme Grand Chapter and the Minutes tell nothing. They contain frequent consist of more; but that any number may be exalted and received as Com- reference from 1766 onwards to the fact that the 'different sections' were panions, though not to hold the Staff of Office, or be considered as Counsellors given, or the 'usual sections' were gone through. On March 14th, 1783, it when more than that number are present.' A regulation limiting a Chapter was resolved that a Chapter be held regularly for the purpose of Instruction to 72 is in force today, thus explaining that part of the ritual in which the ~nly. In the May following reference is made to the necessity to frame regula- exaltee is told that he will ever have the right to bear a staff of office unless nons 'for the Chapters of Instruction'. There is other evidence however that 72 of the elders are present-a point which has puzzled many a Candidate. in the third quarter of the century, ritual took the form of 'a questio~ and Although the whole set of Laws cannot be given in any detail here it is answer catechism much of which is to be found in the lectures of today. interesting to note that Law 6 laid down the order of proceedings in Chapter, opening, reading of minutes, ballots, etc., ending with the requirement that For the first few years of the Chapter the ceremony of admission to the the 'business of the Chapter must begin [in fact this follows the above items] degree was not uni~ormly referred to as an exaltation, in spite of the fact that by the introductory section and be proceeded in regularly' and if time should the word was used m the Charter of Compact. New members variously 'became not permit. the completion of the lecture 'care must be taken at the succeeding members' or were proposed to 'pass the Royal Arch' or simply to 'pass'. Others one to begm where they before left off that the Companions may receive full were 'exalted' or 'admitted to this supreme degree'. By the 1770s the term instruction and be properly qualified for advancement'. This attempt to ensure 'exalted' and 'exaltation' were in regular use. regular instruction in the ritual by lecture (i.e. catechism) disappeared from the next issue of Laws, printed in 1782. Representation in Grand Chapter The Laws made no reference to the apron (only to the ribbon, jewel and Hitherto the Grand Chapter as a body consisted of the Grand Officers robes) the design of which had been laid down in 1765 when it was described and tho~e elected to membership-exaltation in the Grand Chapter did not automatically confer membership, indeed, only a few of those exalted were as of 'white leather indented round with crimson ribbon and strings of the same with a TH of gold properly displayed on the bibb'. It seems elected. As the number of subordinate Chapters grew-by the end of 1783 attempts had been made to establish the custom of wearing the Royal Arch thirty five ~ad com~ into being-so the Grand Chapter became less and less representative. Obviously such a state of affairs could not continue. The apron in Grand Lodge and in private lodges but Grand Lodge approval had beginning of reform was brought about by a complaint received on the not been forthcoming for on the 12th February, 1773, Grand Chapter resolved 13th .February, 1?84, from the Royal Cumberland Chapter of Bath, No. 28, that the Royal Arch apron be disused in Grand Chapter until the Grand that It had been Ignored by the Grand Chapter since its constitution 4 years Lodge should permit Companions to wear it there and in lodges. In the previously. As a result Grand Chapter ordered a General Convention and matter of the device it is interesting to note that Grand Chapter on the appointed a Comm~ttee, which met on fo~r occasions, to arrange accordingly. 26th December, 1766, referred to the T and H and described it as meaning At the March meeting of Grand Chapter It was ordered that invitations should 'Templum Hierosolimae or the true Royal Arch Mason's mark or Badge of be s~nt .to Principals of Chapters. The Convention was duly held on the 28th Honou~'. W ~ know, of course, .that over .the years the letters became joined, lost their senfs and developed mto what IS now referred to as the Triple Tau ~pnl ; It was narr:ed 'Co~,,:e?tio~ Night' and was attended by Principals of SIXCh.apters, des~nbed as visitors'. It turned out to be a very ordinary meeting around which has grown a symbolism never in the minds of our Royal Arch at which a candidate was exalted and 'several sections was gone through by forefa.thers and never intended by them. It was, to them, simply a symbol the Excellent and Sojourners, with the assistance of the most Excellent Masters refernng to the Temple of Jerusalem and they and their successors in the 18th and past Masters. The Chapter was closed in antient form and Perfect century had no part in weaving round it the significance which others have harmony'. All that could be said for it was that at least some of the sub- since. done. This is a matter which might well be pursued on some other ordinate Chapters were represented. Efforts to broaden representation in Grand occasion, Chapter soon ~eased as no more Conven~ion nights were held and Principals The General Committee met in 1781 'to examine into the true origin :vere not specifically summoned to meetmgs. Occasionally 'visitors' attended m larger numbers than before and on one occasion, 6th May, 1785, the 'list (I) The text is set out in A.Q.C. Ixxi, p. 66. of Chapters were called over'. By the beginning of 1790 sixty six Chapters 18 had been Warranted and the need for change in the constitution was again which, vide their Book'. Unfortunately no Minute Book of the revived No. 1 apparent for on the 22nd April of that year a special committee resolved has as yet come to light. The revival of this Chapter did not bring to an that 'it is the opinion of this Committee that the time is now arrived to form end the practice of electing members and exalting Candidates by Grand' a plan for convening the Principals of the subordinate Chapters under the Chapter; exaltations continued in Grand Chapter up to the year 1812. The Constitution of the Grand and Royal Chapter, in Grand convocation; to original Grand Chapter Register contains blank pages for No. 1 but no entries ':lcquaint them. that the Officers of the Grand and Royal Chapter have had it appeared therein until the revival in 1796 when five names were entered. m contemplation to commune with them for the benefit and advantage of Nothing more is heard of No. 1 until the 28th January, 1812, when 'at the R.A. Masons in general, and that it is requested of all Chapters . . . to request of his R.H. the M.E.Z. (the Duke of Sussex) the Most Ext. pro. tem, attend by their Principals on a day to be appointed'. It was further resolved proposed that the Warrant of No. 1, now in the hands of the Grand Chapter that it 'is their opinion that the said Grand Convention do consist of all present be granted to H.R.H. the M.E.Z. which was seconded and unanimously agreed and Past Grand Officers and the three Principals for the time being of all to'. That was the end of a Chapter which appears to have had no separate subordinate Chapters, who, convened, may take into their consideration all existence outside the Grand Chapter. matters relative to R.A. Masonry in general and dispose of such sums of money ... to the purposes of Charity .. .' An attempted schisnl At the following meeting of Grand Chapter it was resolved accordingly, the purpose being for 'establishing a General Grand Chapter and a I Like many other organisations Grand Chapter once experienced, and' overcame, an attempted schism. On the 28th March, 1793, a Memorial was: read from the Chapter of Emulation, No. 16, and referred to a Committee General Fund of the Order'. The matter was referred to on a number of occasions without much progress being made except that it was ,\ which later reported that, as the Chapter had never paid any of their Registra- agreed (24th November, 1791) that the Convocation be held on the tion fees, no notice ought to be taken of it. The Chapter had been Warranted day following the feast of Craft Masons. Although not so described the in 1778 so that a considerable sum must have been owing in respect of dues Convocation was held on the 4th May, 1792, and was attended by 19 Grand over 15 years. In the absence of a copy of the Memorial or other evidence, its Officers and Members of the Grand Chapter and 24 Principals representing nature is unknown but it appears that the Chapter was calling itself the 12 Chapters. Rules or bye-laws were approved, one of which laid down that Grand and Royal Chapter of Emulation and had circularised other Chapters 'two general Chapters of Communication agreeable to the Charter of Compact' in an attempt 'to compact one with another to take the future management should be held annually. Thus a dramatic change in the constitution of Grand of Royal Arch Masonry into their hands'. At the May meeting of the Grand Chapter came about but further reforms were to come. Subordinate Chapters Chapter Emulation was erased. Other Chapters had rallied to the support of and probably individuals as well were still not satisfied with the nature of Grand Chapter and were thanked accordingly. An Address on the subject was Grand Chapter which continued to function both as a private Chapter and as prepared and it was resolved that a copy of the resolution of erasure and' a Governing body-it had always exalted candidates, elected Companions of the Address be sent to all Chapters. It is impossible to state with any certainty to membership and rehearsed the lecture. On the 17th December, 1795, it what had caused Emulation to take such steps but it is believed to have been was resolved that 'in order to conciliate and to do away [with] every remaining brought about by the expulsion of a Companion Robert Sampson in December, jealousy and uneasiness (if such exists) amongst the several Chapters or any 1791, for having advertised, by means of a printed circular, that he was- of them, that a Committee be now appointed ... to consider of the precise prepared to exalt brethren for the sum of 5/- each. His expulsion was con- mode of separating the business of [the] Chapter and a Chapter for the firmed at the January, 1792, meeting when it was agreed that public notice purpose of exalting Master Masons to this Sublime degree'. thereof should be given to every Chapter and to every regular Lodge. It At one of the meetings of the Committee consideration was given to the seems that the letter to lodges recommended that they should not admit revival of Chapter No. 1 (Restoration Lodge or Chapter of the Rock Fountain Sampson, resulting in a number of them refusing him admission and in one Shilo) which, although Warranted on the 14th July, 1769, does not seem ever to case, of his expulsion. He complained to Grand Lodge and indicted the Three have functioned as an independent Chapter. A special meeting of Grand Principals and Scribes. The Committee of Charity considered the complaint Chapter was held on the 22nd April, 176~, to determine what would 'be most on the 16th November, 1792, heard the several parties and resolved that it fit to do about the revival of the Chapter No. 1'. The revival of the Chapter was was of such a nature that it could not be received. The Committee reported approved. It was also agreed that the Three Grand Principals should be the to Grand Lodge on the 21st November following. Grand Lodge expressed its three Grand Masters, that meetings be held on the same evenings as those agreement and -stated that 'the Grand Lodge of England has nothing to do of Grand Chapter and that the present members of Grand Chapter be con- tinued as members of the revived Chapter. Presumably to avoid confusion between the two bodies it was further agreed that the meetings of Grand 1 with the proceedings of the Society of Royal Arch Masons'. It would appear that the Chapter of Emulation sympathised with Sampson and had taken up the cudgels on his behalf, because the Address circulated by Grand Chapter, Chapter should thenceforth be styled 'meetings of the Grand Lodge of Royal J referred to above, states that 'the framers of that Memorial have assiduously misrepresented the conduct of the Grand Lodge of Craft Masons upon a Arch Masons' but they were, in fact, never so described. After other business was transacted it was finally resolved that those present should be a Committee complaint by a late Companion, against the Officers of the Grand and Royal of the revived Chapter No. 1 and open for business 'for the Transactions of Chapter. The Grand Lodge very properly observed on that occasion that it 20 21 had nothing t~ do with a matter ongmating in another independent Society Men of Dunckerley's calibre were not available or willing to serve-his death competent to Judge of and determine on its own affairs'. Nothing more is was an irreplaceable loss. known of the matter and the Chapter of Emulation disappeared. So ended In 1801 the Earl of Mountnorris was elected First Principal, Sir Ralph the one and only recorded attempted schism within the Order. Milbanke, Second Principal (for two months he was Third Principal) and The period of stagnation James Galloway, Third Principal. Of the three only Mountnorris ever attended The Grand. Chapter experienced one period of stagnation towards the Grand Chapter during their period of office and he but once. In spite of end of the 1790s. From 1797 to 1800 it practically ceased to meet but signs this neglect 1801 saw the beginning of renewed activity. On the 23rd April of decline in activity appeared some years before. An average attendance Grand Chapter met and passed a series of resolutions designed to ensure of 19 at meetings in the year 1790 fell steadily until 1795 when the figure the proper issue of summonses to every Chapter to attend the two annual was as low as 6. Nevertheless that year was an active one. Six meetings were General Chapters of Convocation as well as the circulation of accounts of held in the following year but attendances were erratic-at one meeting only proceedings with statements of receipts and disbursements from the Charitable two attended; at another 20 were present. For the next four years (1797-1800) fund. Measures were taken to untangle finances of Grand Chapter. At the only eight meetings were called, at one of which only the Recorder was present following meeting, 15th May, 1801, the absence of the Three Grand Principals who minuted that 'no Comps. came, except from No. 2 who finding none was keenly felt and apparently resented for the following resolution was met (being early) they went away and did not return'. At another two Com- passed :- panions attended. Committee meetings were occasionally held and minuted "That sincerely regretting their absence the urgency of whose private engage- but in a number of instances only a date is recorded in the minute book ments, etc., deprives us for a time of those advantages which we have reason to expect from their high Character, distinguish'd ability, and known attachment to with space left for minutes. this Order, and reviewing with extreme concern the intricate state of the accounts It is difficult to find a reason for the decline. It may have been due to of the Grand & Royal Chapter and the defection of so many Chapters from their a cOl,?bination of happenings, individually minor, but cumulatively sufficient obedience to its authority, We feel it our duty in this critical situation of the to bnng about a loss of interest and cessation of activity. Finances were in Order to vest the supreme direction thereof for a time in the hands of a a low state and there was no proper system of accounting and auditing Committee consisting of Compn. apparently due to the fact that George Errington, Treasurer in 1793, did not Allen as Treasurer hand over or acco~nt for the cash balance to his successor, John AlIen Wright & Aldridge as Principals of No. 60 (1794-1806). The mmutes contain a number of references to the difficulties Heyden as a Principal of No. 2 [blank] as a Principal of No. 49 experienced by AlIen in preparing and presenting accounts and to the absence Hannam & Foulston as Principals of No. 50 of payments by Chapters. Errington resigned in 1794 and died in 1795 but the balance of £80 due to Grand Chapter was not received from his solicitors of whom any 3 are hereby constituted a Quorum, and whom We do hereby authorise to exercise the same in as ample a manner as they have usually been until December, 1801, seven years after his resignation! Something also went exercised by the 3 Grand Principals for the time being-Until it shall become sadly wrong in the selection and appointment of officers. During the worst convenient for the 3 Grand Principals elect to attend and assume the authority." perio? of il}ertia there. was no Scribe Ezra. The name of Joshua Pritchard, appomted m 1793, disappears from the minutes in 1796 and no further To place the duties and authority of the Grand Principals 'in commission' appoint~en~ is recorded un.til that of George Harvey in 1803. During the as it were was a serious step to take. How long the state of affairs lasted gap Benjamin Cooper, appomted Recorder in 1794, seems to have performed is not clear but Mountnorris and Milbanke were re-elected the next year. the Scribe's duties but it may have been merely a case of change in the title The reference to 'the defection of so many Chapters' is not understood of the office, Recorder instead of Scribe E. The office of Scribe N remained as nowhere can there be found any suggestion that Chapters were breaking unfilled from 1795 until 1803, neither were Sojourners appointed between away. As there was only one independent Grand Chapter they could not 1796 and 1802. At this period the First Grand Principal was Lord Rancliffe change their allegience to another. By this time 118 warrants had been granted elected in 1794, who, although a sick man from 1797 until his death in and there is no record that any of the Chapters then in existence had broken November? 1.800, was fairly active in Grand Chapter affairs. The Second away. It can only be assumed that the word 'disaffection' or 'dissatisfaction', Grand Principal was the Hon. Henry Hobart from 1795 until he died in was intended-undoubtedly a number of Chapters were dissatisfied with the May, 1799. From 1795 until 1798 no less than three Third Grand Principals state of affairs existing within Grand Chapter and with the conduct generally w~re appointed, the last being Ja~es Galloway who was not replaced. It of Royal Arch Masonry at the time. Alternatively it may have referred to will be observed then that at one penod there were only two Grand Principals those in arrears or which had failed to make returns for 13 of them were erased and at another, only one. After Rancliffe's death until a successor was elected in 1800, with a further 14 near to erasure. there were no Grand Principals at all. To add to the difficulties of the time two Janitors were found guilty of neglect and were relieved of their duties. The new Century It does seem, therefore, that the main cause of the decline was insufficiencv In 1802 Grand Chapter was much concerned by a dispute between the of Officers resulting in a loss of efficient supervision and direction of affairs. Caledonian Chapter, No. 2, and the Chapter of Prudence, No. 50, an affair 22 later referred to as Lloyd v Loaring. The exact nature of the disagreement did much to clear away the dead wood Lut assisted materially in restoring is not known but on the 14th May the two representatives of No. 2 named financial stability for in February, 1811, the balance in hand was reported at in the minutes 'declared that they were the legal representatives of No. 2' £285. which would seem to indicate that the standing of the Chapter was in dispute. In May 1808 recognition was e: tended to Royal Arch Masons exalted A memorial to Grand Chapter was read and all parties named therein were under the Scottish Constitution in that it was ordered that they be received and ordered to attend the next meeting. At the later meeting the parties agreed acknowledged by the Grand Chapter or any of its Chapters. At the following to stop all their proceedings in Chancery-the matter seems to have reached meeting similar recognition was extended to Royal Arch Masons of Ireland. a litigious stage-so that the dispute could be investigated by a Committee of In spite of this recognition of Irish Companions it is noted that, on the Grand Chapter. The Committee met on a number of occasions and its award 11th March, 1811, 'Comp. Admiral Robert Murrey of the Chapter held at (not recorded) was duly confirmed by Grand Chapter. In December, 1802, the Halifax, Nova Scotia, under the Athol Constitution' (significant, in view of 'Report of the Commissioners in the affairs of Lloyd v Loaring' was promul- coming events) and 'Comp, Richard Jones of the Dublin Chapter under the gated. Echos of the matter were heard for two or three years after, members Constitution of Ireland were received as Visitors on their agreement to being of No. 50 having failed to comply with the order of the Commissioners, re-obligated' . including the delivery up of certain property belonging to No. 2. The conduct of Loaring and another was referred to as refractory, the former being Hitherto it had been a regular practice in many private Chapters to threatened with expulsion. The result of the Grand Chapter's efforts as meet on Sundays but in 1811 it was discouraged, in the politest possible mediator are not known as the affair seems to have petered ou t or at least manner, by Grand Chapter wherein a resolution was agreed 'that the Grand dropped from the minutes. Chapter would be much gratified if Chapters at present holding their meetings on Sundays could conveniently change their day'. At the same time it was In February 1803 'Associate Members' were elected but the nature of resolved that, in future, no Warrants be granted for Chapters to meet on their membership is not clear-being already Companions of the Order it must Sundays. be assumed each was a kind of joining member but without full privileges of membership. Others were to follow in later years. Another event of great As the years of the original Grand Chapter drew to a close it is of interest importance in that year was the exaltation of the Earl of Moira, Acting Grand to record that the last Warrant to be issued and noted in the Minutes was Master of the Grand Lodge, who, in the December following, was elected First that granted on the 6th July, 1813, to Companions in Great Grimsby, the Grand Principal. He held office until 1810 when he resigned in order to allow Alethia Chapter, No. 183 (the fate of which is unknown); that the lecture in the Duke of Sussex to become Head of the Order; he was then elected Second whole was 'worked' for the last time on the 22nd December 1812, by Comps. Grand Principal, an office he resigned on his appointment to the Governor- WaIler Rodwell Wright, assisted by Burckhart, Browne, Woodthorpe, Da Generalship of Bengal in 1813. He was thereupon appointed Acting Grand Costa, Newman and Percy; that the last Associate Member of Grand Chapter Master of Royal Arch Masons for the whole of British India. was Comp. James Moss of the St. James's Chapter, elected 14th July, 1812; and that the last brethren to be exalted in Grand Chapter (before such A new minute book was commenced in 1807 in which are recorded only exaltations were limited to Princes of the Blood Royal, Peers and distinguished the meetings of Grand Chapter, those of the General or special Committees no foreigners) were Richard Wellesley, M.P." John Dent, M.P. and Gear longer appear. In that year only one meeting is minuted, 7th May, an important Canning, M.P." on the 10th March, 1812. one, however, in that the task of putting the affairs of Grand Chapter in order took a further step forward. On hearing a report of a Committee of Grand Events leading to 'Union' Officers it was unanimously resolved that the erasure of 13 Chapters, ordered The Minutes of Grand Chapter for th r rnairung few y at's b for t lu: in 1800, be confirmed, that 14 Chapters, which had neglected to correspond 'Union' are strangely silent on the matter, in fact it is sp cifically m nti n 1 with or reply to letters of Grand Chapter for many years be erased unless they only at the last meeting held on the 30th November, 1813. The Union ,)1' made due submission and promised obedience, and that peremptory letters be the Grand Lodges was uppermost in the minds of brethren and its effect on sent to 10 others. In the following January two Chapters asked to be restored the Royal Arch must have been discussed in the ante-rooms of the Grand and two others apologised for their neglect. The pressure continued throughout Chapter and subordinate Chapters. The first steps were taken on the 10th May, the years 1809 and 1810 for at one meeting it was again ordered that peremp- 1810, when it was resolved to request the Duke of Sussex to accept membership tory letters be sent to all those Chapters in arrears which had not replied to of the Grand Chapter. Companions J. C. Burckhart and Hippolyto da Costa the earlier communication. Grand Chapter was anxious to allow the recalcitrant were commissioned to examine the Duke who was present in the building. Chapters every opportunity to reform for many of them were given a second Their report being satisfactory he was 'introduced' which presumably means and still a third warning. On the first of these occasions 18 were given the he was exalted. He was then requested to accept the office of First Grand second chance to mend their ways, 6 were given final notice, 6 were erased Principal of Royal Arch Masons of England. On his signifying that he would subject to confirmation and erasure or threatened erasure of 27 mentioned in 1807 were confirmed. On the second occasion 17 were again warned 3 erased (I) ,(c. 1787-1831) M,P. 1810 to 1826. 5 restored and action on one other was suspended. These measure; not onl; (2) ,(1770-1827) Statesman. ' he was duly 'consecrated' and invested as 'G.M.Z. according to antient form'. by a joint meeting. For union there must be two or more bodies willing to unite The Earl of Moira, having vacated the Office of First Principal to enable the but there was in fact only one sovereign independent Royal Arch body, the Duke to be so invested, was elected 'G.M.H.' Grand and Royal Chapter of 1766. The so-called Grand Chapter of the Antients had no existence separate from the Grand Lodge of the Antients, no In January, 1812, the Duke requested the surrender of the Warrant of independence of action. It was a part of its Grand Lodge, and when that body Chapter No. 1, the Chapter within the Grand Chapter-to which reference disappeared at the Craft Union in 1813 its Grand Chapter must of necessity has previously been made-which was, agreed to. The Original Warrant for have disappeared with it. With whom then did the Supreme Grand and Royal No. 1 seems to have been preserved against loss by Comp. Charles Pidgeon Chapter or its representative, the Duke of Sussex, negotiate? Remembering (of No. 2) for, on the 5th February, 1811, he was thanked for having done that the Duke was authorised to negotiate with the Grand Lodge it seems so and for presenting it to Grand Chapter. No more is heard of the Chapter obvious that the original Grand Chapter did not acknowledge the existence or its Warrant and it is suggested that, as a prelude to Union, the Duke wished of any other Grand Chapter. The meeting held on the 17th March, 1817 (to to 'kill' the Chapter which was something of an anomaly and which could which reference is made later) at which the Supreme Grand Chapter came have no place in a reconstituted Grand Chapter. into being, could more truthfully be described as a meeting not between two The last year of active existence of the old Grand Chapter was a vigorous independent bodies about to unite but between one independent body and a one. Seven well attended meetings were held at which the business conducted number of Royal Arch Masons who had been members of the 'Antients' included agreement concerning the submission of petitions for new Chapters in Grand Lodge and which had disappeared four years earlier. If this is accepted future, appointments of Grand Superintendents and the appointment of Lord then it is misleading to refer to the Royal Arch activities of 1817 as a 'union' Moira as Acting Grand Master of Royal Arch Masons in British India. In of Grand Chapters and to have called the new body by the style and title of addition, there were four exaltations, two elections to Associate membership the United Grand Chapter, a title soon to be dropped (at the end of 1821) and the grant of twelve new Warrants approved. On one occasion the whole for that of Supreme Grand Chapter. True, at the first meeting reference was lecture was worked. made to the 'two former Grand Chapters' and to the 'United Grand Chapter', expressions which it may have been thought expedient to use as a compliment At the last regular meeting held on the 30th November, 1813, it was to the eminent members of the former 'Antients' Grand Lodge present and reported that the Grand Lodge of England under the Duke of Sussex had about to become officers and members of the new body. That there were entered into preliminary Articles with the Grand Lodge under the Duke of protracted discussions about the future of the Royal Arch during the Craft Kent for a Union under one Grand Master. It was also, jubilantly, reported union negotiations there can be no doubt for it is obvious that the 'Antients' that under those Articles Royal Arch Masonry was acknowledged as the per- Grand Lodge insisted on recognition of the Order by the 'Moderns' as an fection of the Master's degree. The Duke had commanded that a Special integral part of masonry, hence the inclusion in the Articles of Union of the Grand Chapter should be convened to consider the matter 'in order that such much quoted phrase that masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz., measures might be adopted as would best accord with the general interest of those of the entered apprentice, the fellow craft and the master mason includ- Masonry'. Whereupon it was resolved 'that as the Grand Lodge of England ing the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch. Such discussions were has ... communicated its determination to acknowledge the Royal Arch this between brethren who, although meeting as representatives of the two Grand Grand Chapter does consider an Union of this Order with the Grand Lodge Lodges, were also Royal Arch Masons of distinction in their respective systems. highly proper and desirable'. Particular notice should be taken of the words 'Union of this Order with the Grand Lodge', no mention being made of the I t is difficult to account for the cessation of meetings of the original so-called Grand Chapter of the Antients. It was further resolved that the Duke Grand Chapter from November 1813, until March, 1817. The .ubordinat of Sussex be invested with full and unlimited powers to negotiate and conclude Chapters continued to meet and to exalt candidates for return· were m d a Union on behalf of this Supreme Grand Chapter with the Grand Lodges and names registered in the books of Grand Chapter. Many of the Grand under the Dukes of Sussex and Kent in such a way as might appear to the Officers continued in office and reassembled as such for the March 1817 Duke of Sussex most conducive to the general interest of Masonry. Once again meeting. Its administrative machinery remained in being otherwise registrations it should be noticed that there is no refernce to a Union with any other could not have been made contemporaneously in the books. One can only Grand Chapter. 'All business being ended the Grand Chapter was closed in assume that the autocratic Duke, as head of the Order, decreed that no Antient and Solemn Form and adjourned'. And so the meetings of the Supreme meetings would be held during the period of 'negotiation'. It was a difficult Gran.d and Royal Chapter, founded in 1766, ceased until the final winding-up time for the private Chapters, which found themselves without an active meeting of the 18th March, 1817, a formal prelude to the gathering at which governing body. They were, in fact, in the wilderness until they became the new body took over, a lapse of nearly 3i years. attached to Craft lodges as required under the new system. For the Union of the Grand Lodges a number of representatives from The 'Union' each had met a~d negotiated .. In the case. of the Roya.l ~rch 'union' only The last meetings of the original Grand Chapter and the first of the new Sussex was appomted to negotiate. What, If any, negotiations were carried body were held at Freemasons' Hall on the 18th March, 1817, when members on is not known. No formal document was executed and signed for ratification of the two systems assembled in separate apartments where a Chapter 26 27 '(presumably one of each) having been opened, the members proceeded to a third Chamber where the Duke of Sussex was waiting to receive them. The 7th August, 1822. The first printed set of Laws and Regulations after the new Grand Chapter was then 'formed' and addressed by the Duke. It was 'union: app~ared in 18~3 and contained a list of 198 Chapters which had resolved that the Grand Chapter should consist of all present and past Grand c?I!lpl~ed WIth the requirements by attaching to Lodges. Those which were Officers of the Order, the few Associate members (no mention being made of disinclined or were unable to comply went out of existence. 'full' members elected by the original Grand Chapter), the three Principals of The new Grand Chapter took some time to develop; in fact, during the .every regularly constituted and acknowledged Chapter and Past Principals first few years there was unaccountable confusion in administration and delavs who had continued as subscribing members. The principle that- the Grand in dealing with correspondence and petitions for new Chapters caused resent- Master and the Deputy Grand Master should also hold the offices of Z and H ment in various parts .of the country. In this connection Grand Chapter, in respectively was laid down. New Grand Officers were appointed and a com- November 1821, appointed a committee to examine the books and papers mittee to prepare a code of laws and regulations was set up. The meeting WIth power to take such measures for arranging the several affairs of the then ended. Grand Chapter relative to the returns, registers and accounts of the Chapters The Royal Arch union was formally notified to the Grand Lodge by and to employ and pay persons as they might think fit. In addition to the the Duke of Sussex who, in a communication read at Grand Lodge on the recording of Grand Chapter minutes another matter the Committee looked 3rd September, 1817, said that as the Order of the Royal Arch had been into was the form of the 'Register Book' which was then settled and into recognised and acknowledged by the Act of Union as part of Antient Masonry, which the Grand Scribes had commenced to enter returns from the Chapters. "as head of both Grand Chapters existing prior to the Union of the Craft' (a Thus were efforts made to organise an efficient administration. What clerical somewhat ambiguous phrase as he was not head of the 'Antients' Royal Arch assistance was employed is not known but in 1824 it was resolved that instead :before 1813) he had caused the members of those bodies to be convened and of paying to the Grand Scribes a proportion of fees received, a sum' of £50 that a junction had been formed under the title of the United Grand Chapter per annum be allowed from May, 1821, for paying a clerk to keep the Registers. -of England. He went on to say that he had derived great satisfaction from In 1792 the 'Antients' appointed nine Excellent Masters, thenceforth to being able to make the communication and trusted that Grand Lodge would be elected annually, to assist the Grand Officers by visiting Lodges to ensure 'be disposed to do whatever might be necessary on its part to establish the that the general uniformity of ancient masonry should be preserved unchanged . .connection between the two bodies. After thanking the Grand' Master for Those elected required the approval of the Grand Lodge. They became known his communication Grand Lodge then resolved 'That the Grand Lodge will as the Nine Worthies and one of their duties was the examination of brethren at all times be disposed to acknowledge the Proceedings of the Grand Chapter undert.aking the performance of Royal Arch ceremonies. Specially designed .and so long as their arrangements do not interfere with the regulations of collar Jewels, made by Tho::nas Harper, Silversmith and Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Lodge and are in conformity with the Act of Union they will be were worn by the Worthies and one of the first tasks of the reconstituted ready to recognise, facilitate and uphold the same'. The wording of the Grand Chapter was to trace and secure the return of these historic jewels. resolution is somewhat lacking in enthusiasm and good will and one is led Aft~r much searchin~ and letter writing eight of the jewels were eventually to the conclusion that some of the old 'Modems' antagonism still remained. retrieved, seven of which are now preserved in the Grand Lodge Museum. 'SuprelDe Grand Chapter . I.n the 18~h cer:tury. it is be.lieved that the ceremony of installing a The committee on laws and regulations presented a new and revised set Principal con tamed Iittle If anything of an esoteric nature and it was not to the Grand Chapter on the 15th April, 1817, which, with two amendments until after the 'union' that the matter received serious attention. Until the were approved at the subsequent meeting in May. They are too detailed to ritual was revised and settled in 1835 it is assumed that those appointed to warrant reiteration here but the more important matters dealt with included office were, in many cases, merely inducted. In 1818 Supreme Grand Chapter -equality of certain Craft and Royal Arch ranks, procedure and a prohibition took the first steps to regularise the ceremony by appointing a Committee for against exaltation in the Grand Chapter itself (except Princes of the Blood the purpose of Installing Principals of Chapters in the London district. In Royal, Peers and distinguished foreign brethren), so bringing to an end the February 1819, .the Committee reported that Principals and Past Principals of -curious practice followed in the original Grand Chapter from its inception. most Chapters m London had been regularly installed. The Committee was Of the 'Laws for Private Chapters' included in the general laws the most later enlarged and its area of activity extended. What form these ceremonies important was that which required henceforth every Chapter should be took is not disclosed. attached to a Craft Lodge. Chapters in existence at the date of the Craft It was not long after the 'union' that some criticism of the Grand Chapter Union (27th December, 1813) were required to unite with a Lodge and make arose for on the 4th August, 1819, William Williams, Third Grand Principal a return on or before the 27th December, 1817, stating the Lodge to which since 1817, protested that he had, in his absence, been re-elected to office they then belonged. It was also laid down that no Lodge might form a Chapter without his previous consent and that he considered he had ceased to be without previously obtaining a Charter for attachment to its Craft Warrant. Third Grand Principal from the period of the previous meeting of Grand The time limit for attachment to Lodges caused considerable difficulty and was hapter. His re~son for declining office was that he felt Grand Lodge had extended from time to time, the last date mentioned in the minutes being the n t nducted Itself towards Grand Chapter in the fraternal and masonic manner expected as the Grand Lodge had not given a seat or rank to a~y APPENDIX I. one officer of Grand Chapter notwithstanding that Grand Chapter, by Its laws, had constituted certain officers of the Grand Lodge as officers of Grand Chapter. He intimated that he would submit certain motions to Grand Charter York and Wigan declaring the Grand Chapter entirely independent of, and unconnected with, Another Grand Chapter of which mention must be made was the York Grand Lodge and dealing with the matter of the holding of office by Officers of Grand Chapter or Grand Chapter of All England, which grew out of a Royal Grand Lodge. The minutes concerned were referred to the Duke of Sussex Arch Lodge established in the City of York in 1762 and a Royal Arch Chapter .and when they were before the following meeting that part relating to the founded there in 1768. The Lodge functioned from 1762 until 1764 and the matters referred to by Williams was not confirmed. It may have been personal Chapter from 1768 to 1772, with one meeting in 1776. The Chapter was, pique at not receiving rank in Grand Lodge equal to his Royal Arch r,ank however, revived in 1778 through the exertions of some of its members when which caused Williams to institute a one-man attempt to break off relations it assumed the status of a Grand Chapter", Its formation was not schismatic with the Grand Lodge, Whatever the reason his efforts were quickly stifled, nor was it an attempt to usurp the powers of the Grand Chapter in London, undoubtedly at the Duke's instigation. The Duke did, however, inform Grand but rather to look after the affairs of Royal Arch Masonry in and about the Chapter on the 10th May, 1820, that he intended to propose in Gra~d Lodge City of York. Before it expired in 1781 five Chapters had been constituted by that 'Grand Principal J' for the time being should take seat and rank III Grand it and its predecessor the Royal Arch Chapter, Lodge immediately after the Past Deputy Grand Master, but not to take a chair in Grand Lodge by virue of such rank. Sussex did not, in fact, make In 1823 four Lancashire Lodges, erased by the United Grand Lodge for such a proposal at the next meeting of Grand Lodge and it is not known if reasons beyond the scope of this paper, formed themselves into a Grand Lodge 'he ever did so. centred at Wigan calling itself the "Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England According to the Old Institutions'V These Lodges un- On the 8th May, 1822, laws governing Royal Arch masonry were com- doubtedly worked the Royal Arch ceremonies in the same way as did the pletely revised and the first issue of the new code was printed and published 'Antients' before the union, either in Lodge itself or in separately held in the following year. Two particularly important matters dealt with were Chapter meetings. With one notable exception the minutes of this so-called the definition of powers and duties of Grand Superintendents in Provinces Wigan Grand Lodge reveal practically nothing relating to the Royal Arch. .and the abolition of the requirement that candidates for exaltation should be It is recorded however, that on the 16th August, 1842, a petition was presented Installed Masters, for which was substituted the qualification of being a by the R.A. Chapter of Temperance, No. 1, praying the Grand Lodge to Master Mason of twelve months standing. form a R.A. Grand Chapter for the government of all subordinate Chapter After five years of existence of the reconstituted Grand Chapter some of under its control. No further reference to the matter appears in the minutes the old antagonisms between members of the two former systems were being and no evidence has come to light that such a Grand Chapter was ever form d. steadily overcome, lines on which Grand Chapter should be administered were At an earlier meeting (27th July, 1842), it discussed the holding of a Royal hid down and a pattern for the future became clearer. So the Supreme Grand Arch meeting, but again the minutes are silent on any further progress. S m Chapter of England went from strength to strength, steadily establishing the of the Wigan Royal Arch clothing and jewels are in existence. Th Wigan unique position of respect it enjoys today as the premier Grand Chapter of Grand Lodge had a chequered existence, the last traces disappearin in 1 I: the world. when its one remaining subordinate Lodge, the Lod of Sin rity, No. I, returned to the fold as No. 3677. (J) The history of this Grand Chapter has been written by Comp. G. Y. J ohnson, A.Q,C. lvii 1944. (2) For histories of the Wigan Grand Lodge, see E. B. Beesley: History of the Wigan Grand Lodge, Manchester 1920; Norman Rogers: The Grand Lodge in Wigan, A.Q.C.lxi, 1948 and The Lodge '1fSillceri{y, No, I (Wigan}, A.Q.C. lxii, 1949. ~I TEXT OF TH - CHARTER OF COMPACT APPENDIX 11. The Charter of Com.pact, I766 THE MOST ENLIGHTENED EAST The Charter is an illuminated parchment of approximately 36 in, by 30 in, I ,', TN ,', OTGA ,', OTU ,', ,', ,', .". (its exact measurement cannot be ascertained without removal from its present To all the Enlightened, Entered ,', Passed ,', ,', Raised ,', .", ,', and Exalted ,', ,, " frame), It bears 'three coats of arms in colour-the Royal Arms, the Arms of And to all others whom it may concern under the Canopy of Heaven, HEALTH, Grand Lodge and the Arms of Cadwallader, ninth Baron Blayney. The writing PEACE and UNION, is in black ink, somewhat faded in places but still legible, interspersed with phrases and figures in red, Nine triangles, in gilt, are included and, in the We, the Right Honourable and Right Worshipful Cadwallader Lord Blayney, Baron Blayney of Monaghan in the Kingdom of Ireland, Lord Lieutenant and Custos left hand margin, three hexalphas being the jewels of the Order-the second Rotulorum of the ame County, and Major General in His Majesty's Service [PJ section of the Charter lays down by whom they are to be worn, Chaplets in Grand Master of Free and accepted Masons, And also Most Excellent Grand Master green surround the hexalphas. The device of the Order is clearly shown, also of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem send Greeting, in gilt, as a T over an H, The cost of engrossing the document is recorded WHEREAS We have it principally at Heart to do all in our Power to promote ,in the accounts, under date 30th July, 1766, as 'by cash to Mr. Parkinson for the Honour, Dignity, Preservation and Welfare of the Royal Craft in general as well engrossing the Charter, £2 2s, Od.' On the 17th December, 1777, Grand Chapter as of every worthy Brother in particular; and also to extend the Benefits arising resolved 'that the Charter should be elegantly framed and glazed'. therefrom to every created Being, according to the original Design of this Heavenly Institution; first planned and founded in Ethicks, and including in its grand Scheme It bears nine signatures with the seal, in wax, of each signatory. Twenty every Art, Science and Mystery that the Mind of Man in this sublunary State is others also signed the document, many at a later date. The date it now bears, capable of comprehending, 1767, has been falsified, a matter which is the subject of comment on p. 11 ante. AND WHEREAS We having duly passed the Royal Arch have found our dearly beloved and Most Excellent Bretheren, James Galloway, John M'T.ean, Thomas Bernard Jones suggests that it was drafted by John AlIen, an Attorney of Dunckerley, Francis Flower, John Alien, John Brooks, Thomas French and Charles Clement's Inn, one of the signatories, First Grand Principal in 1772, and Taylor and the Rest of our Excellent Companions of the respectable Chapter held at Grand Treasurer from 1794 to 1806, a suggestion supported by the fact that, the Turk's Head Tavern in Gerrard Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex, not having been lost for several years, it was found amongst his effects in 1811- only to be perfect Masters in every Degree of the Royal Craft in its operative, but he died in 1806. On the 2nd April, 1811, Camp. William Henry White, Grand likewise, by their Study and labour to have made considerable advances in the Secretary and soon to become Grand Scribe E. of the new Supreme Grand speculative or truly sublime and most exalted Parts thereof. Chapter, 'presented' it to Grand Chapter-White was prompty elected an AND WHEREAS Our said Most Excellent Companions have requested Us to Associate Member. enter into Compact with and to grant to them Our Charter of Institution and Protection to which We have readily concurred, On the 1st February, 1882, the Grand Scribe E. reported to Grand Chapter that 'a valuable document had been discovered in the muniment room, no NOW KNOW YE that in tender Consideration of the Premisses, and for the Purposes aforesaid, less than the Charter of Compact and that he had had it repaired, cleaned and suitably framed and glazed'. Having been 'lost' on more than one occasion it We HAVE Instituted and Erected And, by and with the Advice, Consent and seems to have had something of a chequered existence. It now has a place of Concurrence of Our said Most Excellent Companions, in full Chapter Assembled honour on the walls of the Grand Lodge Librarian's room in Freemasons' (testified by their severally signing and sealing hereof) DO by these Presents as much Hall. as in Us lyes Institute and Erect them Our said Most Excellent Bretheren and Companions, James Galloway, John Mvl.ean, Thomas Dunckerley, Francis Flower, John Alien, John Brooks, Thomas French and Charles Taylor, and their Successors Officers for the Time being of the Grand and Royal Chapter jointly with Ourself and Our Successors Most Excellent Grand Master for the Time being from Time to Time and at all Times hereafter to form and be, The Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem Hereby Giving, Granting, Ratifying and Confirming unto them and their Successors All the Rights, Priviledges, Dignities, Ensigns and Prerogatives which from Time immemorial have belonged and do appertain to those exalted to this Most Sublime Degree; With full Power and absolute Authority from Time to Time as Occasion shall require and it shall be found expedient to hold and convene Chapters and other proper Assemblies for the carrying on, improving and promoting th said benevolent and useful Work, And also to admit, pass and exalt in due Form and a ording to the Rites and Ceremonies Time immemorial used and approved in alld by that mo t xalted and sacred Degree, and as now by them practised, all such cxpcricn rei and dis r et Master Masons as they shall find worthy, 33 AND WE DO FURTHERMORE hereby Give, Grant, Ratify and Confirm unto or in some Chapter to be chartered and constituted by US or Our Successors, Most Our said Most Excellent Bretheren and Companions and their Successors, Officers of Excellent Grand Officers as aforesaid, And Except those coming from beyond the our said Grand and Royal Chapter for the Time being, full and absolute Power and Seas, Or such as shall obtain Certificates of Adoption from this Our Grand and Royal Authority in Conjunction with Us or Our Most Excellent Deputy for the Time being Chapter: For which Certificate shall be paid in to the Common Fund the Sum of to make and confirm Laws, Orders and Ordinances for the better conducting and One Guinea at the least regulating the said Most Excellent and Sublime Degree throughout the Globe, as well as of their said Grand and Royal Chapter and from Time to Time to alter and NINTHLY That there shall be a General Chapter of Communication of the' abrogate the same Laws, Orders and Ordinances as to them and their Successors shall excellent Companions of this Grand and Royal Chapter with all other Chapters that seem meet: And also to constitute, superintend and regulate other Chapters shall or may hereafter come under the Protection of and be chartered by the same wheresover it shall be found convenient and as to Us or Our Deputy and the said as aforesaid on, or as near as conveniently may be to, the Feast of Saint John the- Grand Officers, Our and their Successors for the Time being, shall seem fit AND it is Evangelist yearly, or oftener as Occasion shall require and it shall be found convenient, also declared, concluded and agreed upon by and between Us and Our said Most for the Purposes of conducting, promoting and well ordering of this sublime Degree, Excellent Companions, lames Galloway, John M'Lean, Thomas Dunckerley, Francis and the Business and Affairs thereof in such manner as shall from Time to Time be Flower, John Allen, John Brooks, Thomas French and Charles Taylor, the said Most found most expedient Excellent Grand Officers, TENTHLY That at and upon the said Feast of Saint John the Evangelist, or AND THESE PRESENTS FURTHER WITNESS that We and the said Most the General Chapter of Communication held next to such Feast, the Most Excellent Excellent Grand Officers Do hereby for Ourselves severally and respectively and for Grand Master, Most Excellent Deputy Grand Master and the other Most Excellent Our several and respective Successors, the Most Excellent Grand Master, and the Grand Officers of the Grand and Royal Arch of Jerusalem shall be chosen and Most Excellent Grand Officers of the said Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal elected: Which Election shall be by a Majority of the Companions present at such Arch of Jerusalem in manner and form following, that is to say General Chapter by Ballot FIRST that the Most Excellent Deputy Grand Master shall preside and have AND LASTLY That the Grand Officers so chosen and elected shall continue to full Power and Authority in the Absence of the Most Excellent Grand Master serve and be in Office for the Year ensuing; unless some or one of them shall happen SECONDLY That the Jewels worn or to be worn from Time to Time by the to decline, in which Case, or in Case of the Death of any of them or otherwise it shal] be found necessary, a special General Chapter shall be called for an Election to supply Most Excellent The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Officers shall be of the Form and Figure, and bear the same inscription as delineated in the Margin his or their Place or Places. hereof And that the like Jewels, only omitting the Sun, Compass and Globe, shall be IN WITNESS whereof Wc the said Most Excellent Grand Master, and the Most worn by the two Scribes and three S.N.R.S. And also that the like Jewels shall be Excellent Grand Officers have hereunto severally signed our Names and affixed our worn by the Rest of the Excellent Companions, except that in them shall be left out Seals in full Chapter assembled for this Purpose at the Turk's Head Tavern in the Triangle &c. in the center thereof Gerard Street, Soho, aforesaid this Twenty second Day of July in the Year of the THIRDLY That every Companion shall wear according to ancient Custom an Birth of Virtue 5 .. 3 .'. 7 .. 9 .. A.L. 5771[OJ, A.D. 1767[6]." Apron indented with Crimson, and the Badge J!i properly displayed thereon, And also the indented Ribbon or Sash of this Order IN TESTIMONY of our ready Acceptance 01 Blayney and perfect Compliance with this Charter James Galloway FOURTHLY That the Common Seal of this Grand and Royal Chapter shall of Institution and Protection above written, John Maclean bear the like Impression as the Jewels worn by the Most Excellent Grand Officers and the Laws and Ordinances thereby pre- Thos. Dunckerley FIFTHLY That for every Charter of Constitution to be granted by and from scribed, We the Rest of the Excellent Fras. Flower E: S this Grand and Royal Chapter shall be paid into the Common Fund thereof at least Companions of this Most Excellent Manchester In. AlIen N. the sum of Ten Guineas Grand and Royal Chapter, have Pignatelli John Brooks P.S. hereunto severally subscribed our Tho. French S. SIXTHLY That none but discreet and experienced Master Masons shall receive Names the Day and Year above written. Chas. Taylor S. Exaltation to this sublime Degree in this or any other Chapter that may hereafter be duly constituted; Nor until they shall have been duly proposed at least one Chapter Henry Chittick Anglesey Night preceding; Nor unless ballotted for and that on such Ballot there shall not appear one Negative or Black Ball G. Borradale Thos. Morgan John Turner Jas. Heseltine SEVENTHLY That every such person so to be exalted shall pay at least the W. Ross William Guest Sum of Five Guineas into the Common Fund of the Chapter wherein he shall receive Robert Kellie Ro: Simpkinson Exaltation; towards enabling the Companions to carry on the Business and support John Derwas Rowland Holt the Dignity thereof Samuel Way J. P. Pryse R. Berkeley Jno. Hatch EIGHTHL Y That none calling themselves Royal Arch Masons shall be deemed John Bewley Rich Lewis Masquerier any other than Masters in Operative Masonry; Nor shall be received into any regular David Hughes Chapter of the Royal Arch or permitted to reap or enjoy any of the Benefits, Dignities, or Ensigns of that Most Excellent Degree, Save and except those who have received or shall or may hereafter receive Exaltation in this Grand and Royal Chapter, (I.) 11 r comment on date see p. 11 ante. 34 3" DESCRIPTIVE NOTES ON JEWELS AND APRON ILLUSTRATED Of the many Royal Arch jewels in the Grand Lodge Museum those illustrated have been selected because of their antiquity, rarity or unusualness of design. Top, centre Silver piercedcollar jewel, believed to be the earliest R.A. jewel in existence. Inscribed]. ]. Rouby, 1766. Dr. John James Rouby 'passed the Arch' on the 8th April, 1765. He was one of the signatories of the Rules passed 12th June, 1765. Top, left Companion's pierced jewel, gilt. Inscribed Edmund Affleck, 1778. An unusual feature is the square and compasses in the centre. Made by Martin, Royal Exchange, London. Top, right Companion's pierced jewel, gilt. Inscribed 1790. Incorporated in the design are various craft emblems. Centre A silver gilt collar jewel, believed to be that of a Grand Principal. The square and compasses set with white brilliants; the interlaced triangles with red. Undated, but in use c.I770 to 1780. 3i" x 2t". . Bottom, centre Gold and enamel jewel worn by James Heseltine, First Grand Principal, 1773, 1775, 1786 to 1788. He was one of the signatories of the Charter of Compact. Inscribed on reverse (in Latin) 'James Heseltine, Founder of the Society. By the gift of the Companions of the Society of the Royal Arch, styled the Grand and Royal Chapter of Jerusalem. London, AL 5774 .. '1774. Bottom, left Companion's pierced jewel, gilt, incorporating a sun in splendour on which is superimposed the letter G. rThe arch and TH at the base, in this form, are unusual features. Inscribed William Purden, Caledonian Chapter, No. 2, 1798. Made by James Masters, Silversmith, London, also a member of the Chapter. Bottom, right Companion's pierced jewel, silver gilt, of 'Antients' pattern. Inscribed WilIiam Smith, 1814. Made by Thomas Harper, Silversmith and Deputy Grand Master, 'Antients' Grand Lodge. Apron The apron is one of the earliest in the Grand Lodge collection. It complies with the requirements laid down in the first Royal Arch Regulations of 1765 that 'all the Companions wear aprons (except those appointed to wear robes) and the aprons shall be all of one sort or fashion, viz. white leather indented round with crimson ribbon and strings of the same, with a TH in gold properly displayed on the bibb'. 1""'/'1'1/ N./l.j",'n/, flllI/.I/I/OII ill/h,. (;/IIlIrll.(I(~~r i\lf'll'flllll LIST OF FIRST GRAND PRINCIPALS, I766- I966 (sometimes known as Grand Master Z) 1766-9 Cadwallader, 9th Lord Blayney 1770 Charles, 12th Viscount Dillon 1771 John Brooks 1772 John AlIen 1773 James Heseltine 1774 Charles Taylor 1775 James Heseltine 1776 James Bottomley 1777-9 Capt. George Smith 1780 Bartholomew Ruspini 1781 John Brooks 1782 John AlIen 1783 Sir Herbert Mackworth 1784 Francis Const 1785 James Galloway 1786-8 James Heseltine 1789 Benjamin Lancaster 1790 Rev. John Frith 1791 Thomas Dunckerley 1792-3 Admiral Sir Peter Parker 1794-1800 Thomas, 1st Baron Rancliffe 1801-3 Arthur, 1st Earl of Mountnorris 1804-9 Francis, 1st Marquess of Hastings, K.G. 1810-17 H.R.H. Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, K.G. SUPREME GRAl,{D CHAPTER 1817-43 H.R.H. Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, K.G. 1844-70 Thomas, 2nd Earl of Zetland, K.T. 1870-4 George Frederick Samuel, 1st Marquess of Ripon, K.G. 1874-1901 H.R.H. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, K.G. (afterwards H.M. King Edward VII) 1901-39 H.R.H. Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, K.G. 1939-42 H.R.H. George, Duke of Kent, K.G. 194·2-7 Henry, 6th Earl of Harewood, K.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O. 1 47-"0 Edward William Spencer, 10th Duke of Devonshire, K.G. 1951- wr nee Roger, 11th Earl of Scarbrough, K.G., G.C.S.I., ' ... T.E., C.C.V.O., T.D.
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