The English Masonic Union of 1813: A Tale of Antient and Modern by John Belton

The English Masonic Union of 1813: A Tale of Antient and Modern

by John Belton

Shepperton, Surrey,  Lewis Masonic, s.d.,

138p.

£9.99
(Approx €11.3082)

ISBN-10: 1845495594
ISBN-13: 978-1845495596

The bringing together of the Antients and Moderns to form the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813 was a tricky matter. How all this came about is not just an English tale but an Irish and Scots one as well. Complexities concerning 'union' included what to do about other masonic orders, especially the Royal Arch and the Knights Templar. For the first time ever this account provides a birds-eye view of the issues and personalities behind one of the big events of masonic history still affecting us today.

"In this pioneering and stimulating book, John Belton tells with verve and enthusiasm the story behind the events which led up to the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813. Providing completely new perspectives on this key event in the history of British Freemasonry, John's book will be of interest not only to freemasons but to all those who are interested in the contribution of Freemasonry to British culture and society." - Prof Andrew Prescott, Kings College London

CONTENTS

Foreword Professor Andrew Prescott

Chapter 1 Setting the Scene
Views of the Antients - Non English Grand Masters - War in Europe - French Revolution - Pure Ancient Masonry

Chapter 2 The Antients Grand Lodge
Ashmole & Moray - Masonry Dissected - Irish & Scotch migrants - Grand Lodge formed - Correspondence with Ireland

Chapter 3 Royal Arch Charter of Compact 1766
Lord Blayney - Early Royal Arch - Legends - Charter of Compact - Date alteration

Chapter 4 Grand Lodge Animosities
Remakings - Act of Incorporation of Moderns - Opposition - Bill deferred at 3rd reading

Chapter 5 Wm Preston's 'Diplomatic' Initiative
Dukes of Atholl & Earl of Kellie - Preston biography - Grand Lodge South of the River Trent - Correspondence with Scotland - Grand Masters deprecated

Chapter 6 Revolutions, Unrest and the Unlawful Societies Act 1799
United Irishmen - English Radicals - meeting with Pitt - Mother Kilwinning intervenes - Duke of Atholl defends - 1967 Repeal of Act

Chapter 7 Problems in Ireland
1798 rebellion - Union with Britain - Boardman & Harper correspondence - Royal Arch and Templars discussed - Grand Chapter and Encampment created

Chapter 8 More Problems in Ireland
Seton appointed DGS - Financial matters - Dublin versus Northerns - Boardman horsewhipped - Grand Lodge taken over & reopened - Two Grand lodges in Dublin - Grand East of Ulster - support for Dublin from England & Scotland

Chapter 9 Scotland, the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Moira
Hanoverian Prince Masons - Moira in Scotland - Moderns take office - Moira biography - Union or not? - 1804 & 1810 both English Grand Lodges recognised - Kilwinning and Perth & Scoon return

Chapter 10 What was Antientness?
Lodge of Reconciliation - Ascertain & Promulgate - Meetings - Antients hold back - Moderns withdraw - Lodge of Promulgation - Memorialists - Obligations agreed - Sadler & Gould on Antientness - Grand Lodge Administration

Chapter 11 St John's Day December 1813
LaGardie arrives - Articles of Union - Scotland & Ireland decline to attend - St John's Day The Union - Swedish Rite in England? - Correspondence - Opinionated Brothers - 'Higher' Degrees

Chapter 12 The International Compact of 1814
Pre-discussion of Clauses - Boardman dies in London - Clauses of the Compact - Scottish view - Irish view - non-propagation

Chapter 13 Calm & Order Appear from Confusion
Many degrees - Little Organisation - Supreme Grand Chapter 1817 - Ireland & Duke of Leinster - Scotland - Chapters & Encampments

Chapter 14 Endwords
Permanent Grand Masters -Moira the dealmaker - Scotland's independent view - Ireland's example - Structure of English Masonry

Author Biography
Acknowledgements
Image Credits
Index of Persons