Apprentice

John Pine – A remarkable 17th century engraver and Freemason

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In 1748, the celebrated English artist and Francophobe, William Hogarth, surprisingly decided to take a holiday in France. His behaviour in France was appalling. He was ‘clamorously rude’ to everyone he met. Whenever anybody admired a view, Hogarth sourly remarked: ‘What then? It is but French! Their houses are all gilt and bullshit!’ Waiting in Calais for the boat home, Hogarth made sketches of some old fortifications, and was arrested as a spy.

The Freemason prisoners of war at Ruhleben Camp during WWI

Masonic Hospital Plaque remembering camp internees

On 18 December 1914 an extraordinary document arrived at Freemasons’ Hall in London addressed to Sir Edward Letchworth, the Grand Secretary. It began: ‘We, the undersigned brethren, at present interned with other British civilians at the concentration camp at Ruhleben, Spandau, Germany, send hearty good wishes to the Grand Master, officers and brethren in Great Britain, hoping that we may have the pleasure soon of greeting them personally.’

The royal connection: John Hamill examines the link between masonry and royalty

HRH The Duke of Kent has been our Grand Master since 1967

HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh became a Master Mason in Navy Lodge, No. 2612, of which he is still a subscribing member. HRH The Duke of Kent has been our Grand Master since 1967 and his wise counsel and great support in what has been a turbulent time for English Freemasonry, have been invaluable. His brother HRH Prince Michael of Kent has given long service as both Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex in the Craft and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.

Freemasonry: Lyrics of Masonic Songs

Edward VII (1841 1910), King of Great Britain and Ireland

Festive Board Eternal Father Eternal father, strong to save Whose arms hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep It’s own appointed…

A.G.Mackey – Selected Writings – Royal and Select

Mackey royal select

During research I was doing into the Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem I came across a book in the George Holden library at the Solent Masonic Centre at Freshwater, Isle of Wight called the Book of the Chapter and printed in the United States in 1856, the Author being the famous American Masonic historian Albert Mackey MD. The book had been part of the collection of the Bombay Masonic Library in the latter half of the 19th century.

City stories

Freemasonry today

Take a minute to look up from the pavement in the City of London and you will find historic gems that reveal a great deal about the founding of…


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