The Freemason’s Liber Musicus: George Bickham – Musical Entertainer 1737
The True Mason appears in an 18th Century song book, The Musical Entertainer. The words were by John Bancks and appear in the 1738 edition of Anderson’s Constitutions. Both Bickham and Anderson call...
View ArticleThe Freemason’s Liber Musicus: The Red Cross Song
This song about the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine was composed by Robert Wentworth Little (1840-1879). The post The Freemason’s Liber Musicus: The Red Cross Song appeared...
View ArticleBadges, medals and jewels of Freemasonry
Badges, medals and jewels are amongst the earliest surviving objects associated with freemasonry. In the eighteenth century, when the first Grand Lodge in the world was formed, it was not uncommon to...
View ArticleRecognising London: William Wix 1768 – 1849
William Wix (1768-1849) was an attorney and Fellow of the Royal Society and held the office of Provincial Grand Master of Essex from 1801-1824 (and of Grand Superintendent from 1801-1846). The post...
View ArticleRecognising London: Harry Bladon – Freemason and Manufacturer of Masonic Regalia
Henry Bladon was born in 1867 and initiated into Duke of Cornwall Lodge No. 1839. He was proposed by his father, Joseph, who was Senior Deacon of the lodge. The post Recognising London: Harry Bladon –...
View ArticleRecognising London: Sir Alfred Robbins (1856 – 1931)
Sir Alfred Robbins perceived influence in the governing of freemasonry in the early years of the twentieth century led to him being described as “the prime Minister of English freemasonry”. The post...
View ArticleJewel: Wellington Lodge No. 707
The Library and Museum has recently purchased this Masonic jewel with an unusual, if not unique, design. In the form of an oval pendant, 3.5 inches high, the jewel features a Square and Compass design...
View ArticleRebuilding of Freemasons’ Hall – 1860s
In the 1860s Grand Lodge began a comprehensive rebuilding of the site in Great Queen Street around the first Freemasons’ Hall built by Thomas Sandby in 1774-6. Purchases of properties along Great Queen...
View ArticleWomen and Freemasonry: Commemorative Pendant
To mark its centenary the Order of Women Freemasons commissioned the newest addition to the select number of commemorative pieces which the organisation has produced - a pendant. The post Women and...
View ArticleWomen and Freemasonry: The Order of Women Freemasons
The Order of Women Freemasons (“OWF”) established a travelling lodge to visit areas where no lodges were established and to initiate new members. The post Women and Freemasonry: The Order of Women...
View ArticleWomen and Freemasonry: The First Female Freemason of Modern Times
The first female freemason of modern times is Maria Deraismes (1828-1894). She was initiated on14th January 1882. The post Women and Freemasonry: The First Female Freemason of Modern Times appeared...
View ArticleEnglish Masonic Charity: Masonic Home, Croydon
By 1847 supporters of the Masonic Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons, the forerunner of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, had raised funds to purchase land in Croydon on which to build a...
View ArticleEnglish Masonic Charity: Silver Candelabra
This silver candelabra was presented to Dr Robert Crucefix at a meeting held at the New London Hotel, Bridge Street, Blackfriars on 24th November 1841 to mark his contribution towards freemasonry which...
View ArticleEnglish Masonic Charity: Royal Cumberland School for Girls
The Library and Museum’s latest exhibition about Masonic charity includes an outline of the history of what was originally known as the Royal Cumberland School for the Daughters of Indigent Freemasons....
View ArticleFreemasonry and the French Revolution: Sèvres porcelain
During the French Revolution the Sèvres porcelain factory just outside Paris, originally established and patronised by the French Royal Family and nobility, turned to producing items which reflected...
View ArticleFreemasonry and the French Revolution: Napoleonic French Apron
On the two pillars are Joseph Bonaparte and Cambacères, two leading freemasons of the period. The apron was on display in the Freemasonry and the French Revolution exhibition which ran until 18th...
View ArticleFreemasonry and the French Revolution: Chairs with Masonic Symbolism
At the time when the Bastille prison was stormed by the Paris mob on 14 July 1789, English freemasonry was approaching a peak of respectability and prestige. The post Freemasonry and the French...
View ArticleFreemasonry and the French Revolution: Masonic Jewel
An estimated 120,000 French soldiers and sailors were brought to England as prisoners of war during the period 1793-1815. The post Freemasonry and the French Revolution: Masonic Jewel appeared first on...
View ArticleFreemasons and the Royal Society: Martin Folkes
Martin Folkes (1690-1754) was an antiquary who was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society at the age of 23 for his study of mathematics. He served as President of the Royal Society from 1741-1752. The...
View ArticleOther Fraternal and Friendly Societies
Freemasonry is not the only fraternal organisation. The oldest of these were formed in the 1700s. The range of organisations is very wide - from Old Friends to Druids, Oddfellows to Knights of the...
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