Royal Arch Masonry in Ireland - A Short History.
The following is a very brief outline of the history of the Royal Arch in Ireland taken from various papers in Volume I of the Chapter of Research No. 222 Transaction and various Lodge of Research No. 200 Transactions (by kind permission). For a more comprehensive history please refer to the section above entitled "Masonic Literature".
The Royal Arch Degree was probably introduced into Ireland in or about 1740.
The celebrated Masonic historian and scholar, Bro. W.J. Chetwode Crawley LL.D., D.C.L. discovered, and referred to, in Volume I of his work, "Caementaria Hibernica", (published 1895), the first reference to the Royal Arch in Ireland which appeared in Faulkner's "Dublin Journal", dated 14th January, 1744. The Article in the Journal reffered to the St. John's Day celebrations of 'Youghall' Lodge No. 21 on the 27th December, 1743, and described the public processsion as follows :-
"St. John's Day, celebrated by the Lodge in Youghall, No. 21.
`Firstly. The first Salutation on the Quay of Youghall, upon their coming out of their Lodge Chamber, was, the Ships firing their guns with their colours flying.
`Secondly. The first appearance was, a Concert of Musick with two proper Centinels with their Swords drawn.
`Thirdly. Two Apprentices, bare-headed, one with twenty-four Inch Gage, the other a Common Gavel.
`Fourthly. The Royal Arch carried by two excellent Masons.
`Fifthly. The Master with all his proper Instruments, his Rod gilt with Gold, his Deputy on his left with the Square and Compass.
`Sixthly. The two Wardens with their Truncheons gilt in like manner.
`Seventhly. The two Deacons with their Rods gilt after the same manner.
`Eightly. Two Excellent Masons, one bearing a Level, and the other a Plum Rule.
`Ninthly. Then appeared all the rest most gallantry dressed, following by Couples, each of them having a Square hanging about his Neck to a blue Ribbon. From the Quay, they took the whole length of the Town, the Streets being well lined, the Gentlemen and Ladies out of their Windows constantly saluting them, until they went to Church. The two Centinels stood at the Pues, holding the Doors open, until the Whole went in. And after Divine Service, came in the same Order, so their House of Entertainment, where, at the Approach of Evening, the Windows were illuminated with Candles, and the Street with Bonfires. They were greatly applauded, and allowed to be the finest and most magnificent Sight that ever was seen in this Country."
The celebrated Masonic historian and scholar, Bro. W.J. Chetwode Crawley LL.D., D.C.L. discovered, and referred to, in Volume I of his work, "Caementaria Hibernica", (published 1895), the first reference to the Royal Arch in Ireland which appeared in Faulkner's "Dublin Journal", dated 14th January, 1744. The Article in the Journal reffered to the St. John's Day celebrations of 'Youghall' Lodge No. 21 on the 27th December, 1743, and described the public processsion as follows :-
"St. John's Day, celebrated by the Lodge in Youghall, No. 21.
`Firstly. The first Salutation on the Quay of Youghall, upon their coming out of their Lodge Chamber, was, the Ships firing their guns with their colours flying.
`Secondly. The first appearance was, a Concert of Musick with two proper Centinels with their Swords drawn.
`Thirdly. Two Apprentices, bare-headed, one with twenty-four Inch Gage, the other a Common Gavel.
`Fourthly. The Royal Arch carried by two excellent Masons.
`Fifthly. The Master with all his proper Instruments, his Rod gilt with Gold, his Deputy on his left with the Square and Compass.
`Sixthly. The two Wardens with their Truncheons gilt in like manner.
`Seventhly. The two Deacons with their Rods gilt after the same manner.
`Eightly. Two Excellent Masons, one bearing a Level, and the other a Plum Rule.
`Ninthly. Then appeared all the rest most gallantry dressed, following by Couples, each of them having a Square hanging about his Neck to a blue Ribbon. From the Quay, they took the whole length of the Town, the Streets being well lined, the Gentlemen and Ladies out of their Windows constantly saluting them, until they went to Church. The two Centinels stood at the Pues, holding the Doors open, until the Whole went in. And after Divine Service, came in the same Order, so their House of Entertainment, where, at the Approach of Evening, the Windows were illuminated with Candles, and the Street with Bonfires. They were greatly applauded, and allowed to be the finest and most magnificent Sight that ever was seen in this Country."
The Degree was intially worked under the Craft Lodges "Blue" Warrant, usually on a Quarterly basis. The working under this degree at this time were Past Master, Excellent Mason, Super Excellent Mason, Arch Mason and Royal Arch mason (whereas all of these Degrees were in existence they were not necessarily worked in the order above and some were not worked at all).
On the 4th May, 1786 Grand Lodge passed a Resolution as follows:- "It is highly improper for a Mason's Lodge, as such to enter upon their books transactions relative to the Royal Arch." However in practice most country Lodges used their Craft Minutes to record all Lodge Transactions, including the Royal Arch. |
This above "Royal Arch Lodge" Certificate shows the Degrees that were worked up to the revision of the Royal Arch Ritual. The Certificate issued to Charles Martin and is dated 10th April, 1807 - you will note that, coincidently, it issued from the Monaghan Militia Royal Royal Arch Lodge No. 200.
"We the High Priest, &c. &c. of a Grand Chapter of Super- excellent Royal Arch Masons,held under sanction of lodge No. 200 - in his Majesty's First (or Monaghan Regiment of Militia, and on the Grand Registry of Ireland"
This illustrates nicely the fact that the Degrees were worked within the Craft Lodge.
This illustrates nicely the fact that the Degrees were worked within the Craft Lodge.
Whereas the Seal in the bottom left-hand is the Seal of the "Monaghan Militia Royal Royal Arch Lodge" you will note that the first paragraph of the Certificate states "We the High Priest, &c &c of a Grand Chapter of Super-excellent Royal Arch Masons, held under sanction of Lodge No. 200 - in his Majesty's First (or Monaghan Regiment of Militia, and on the Grand Registry of Ireland". [As Brethren will be aware Warrant No. 200 subsequently issued to the Lodge of Research in 1914.]
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Seal of the "Monaghan Militia Royal Royal Arch Lodge"
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On the 1st November, 1787, a Bro. John Rigby, Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 620 presented a memorial to the Grand Lodge of Ireland "..praying that the Higher Degrees of Masonry - including the Royal Arch - shall or may be made subordinate to the Grand lodge of Ireland. A Committee was appointed to the subject but no action was taken, until in 1805 when a Resolution was passed in Grand Lodge to erect a Supreme Grand Chapter.
This Resolution resulted in fierce opposition from many Royal Arch Lodges/Chapters, resulting in the following Resolutions :-
"At a meeting of the Representatives of..... Lodges....of Free and Accepted Masons convened at Belfast, on the 20th January, 1806, the Worshipful William McCall, of Lodge No. 112, in the Chair, the following Resolutions were unanimously passed, and ordered to be transmitted, signed by our Chairman, to the Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Ireland,
1st. "That it appears to us, that the Innovation's lately proposed to be placed on the higher Masonic Orders, are unnecessary, inasmuch as these Orders have hitherto enjoyed uninterrupted Tranquillity without any ostensible Head or controlling Power."
2nd. "That we pledge ourselves to one another, and to all Kt.'s. and Royal Arch Masons in the Kingdom, that we never will acknowledge such Innovations, considering them of so dangerous a nature, as may, id persisted in, dissolve that good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between the Rt. Worshipful the G.L. and Country Lodges."
3rd. "That we think it a Duty incumbent on us, earnestly to recommend to the Right Worshipful the G.L. that instead of new, chimerical, and complex systems of Finance, they will be pleased to restore the Original Regulations which have formerly produced general satisfaction."
4th. "That we cannot with Indifference behold the Dissensious which have lately convulsed the Bosom of the Rt. Worshipful the G.L., as they appear to dispassionate Observers, to be Contests more about Places of Power and Emolument, than the Genuine Interests of the Order, which breathes nothing but Charity and Love."
5th. "That as it appears by the last Statements that the Arrears, and Irregularity of the Books, occasioned by the late Bro. Corker's Indisposition, are now adjusted, and that the Accountants have been rewarded (according to the opinion of eminent Merchants) for their Trouble, we recommend that the Office of D.G. Treasurer does now cease; and that the D.G. Secretary in future collect all Monies due to the Grand Lodge as formerly."
6th. "That a Committee of Nine be now appointed to draw up a Memorial, conveying our Sentiments together with a Copy of the above Resolutions to the Right Hon. and Right Worshipful the Earl of Donoughmore, G.M. of the Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland."
Signed by Order,
William McCall."
The opposition was so vocal as many Brethren thought it was their right, as can be seen from above, to continue to work the said degrees under the authority of their Craft Warrants, which they had done for many years. This oppostion, coupled with the "Seton" revolt and the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ulster, resulted in the proposal failing.
This Resolution resulted in fierce opposition from many Royal Arch Lodges/Chapters, resulting in the following Resolutions :-
"At a meeting of the Representatives of..... Lodges....of Free and Accepted Masons convened at Belfast, on the 20th January, 1806, the Worshipful William McCall, of Lodge No. 112, in the Chair, the following Resolutions were unanimously passed, and ordered to be transmitted, signed by our Chairman, to the Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Ireland,
1st. "That it appears to us, that the Innovation's lately proposed to be placed on the higher Masonic Orders, are unnecessary, inasmuch as these Orders have hitherto enjoyed uninterrupted Tranquillity without any ostensible Head or controlling Power."
2nd. "That we pledge ourselves to one another, and to all Kt.'s. and Royal Arch Masons in the Kingdom, that we never will acknowledge such Innovations, considering them of so dangerous a nature, as may, id persisted in, dissolve that good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between the Rt. Worshipful the G.L. and Country Lodges."
3rd. "That we think it a Duty incumbent on us, earnestly to recommend to the Right Worshipful the G.L. that instead of new, chimerical, and complex systems of Finance, they will be pleased to restore the Original Regulations which have formerly produced general satisfaction."
4th. "That we cannot with Indifference behold the Dissensious which have lately convulsed the Bosom of the Rt. Worshipful the G.L., as they appear to dispassionate Observers, to be Contests more about Places of Power and Emolument, than the Genuine Interests of the Order, which breathes nothing but Charity and Love."
5th. "That as it appears by the last Statements that the Arrears, and Irregularity of the Books, occasioned by the late Bro. Corker's Indisposition, are now adjusted, and that the Accountants have been rewarded (according to the opinion of eminent Merchants) for their Trouble, we recommend that the Office of D.G. Treasurer does now cease; and that the D.G. Secretary in future collect all Monies due to the Grand Lodge as formerly."
6th. "That a Committee of Nine be now appointed to draw up a Memorial, conveying our Sentiments together with a Copy of the above Resolutions to the Right Hon. and Right Worshipful the Earl of Donoughmore, G.M. of the Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland."
Signed by Order,
William McCall."
The opposition was so vocal as many Brethren thought it was their right, as can be seen from above, to continue to work the said degrees under the authority of their Craft Warrants, which they had done for many years. This oppostion, coupled with the "Seton" revolt and the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ulster, resulted in the proposal failing.
Bro. John Fowler, Deputy Grand Secretary.
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It was not until 1828 that the question of a Supreme Grand Chapter was put forward again, this time by Bro. John Fowler, (former Deputy Grand Master). Arising out of the representations of Bro. John Fowler (at the time Deputy Grand Secretary, who was held in very high regard and esteem by the then Grand Master, the 3rd Duke of Leinster), the Grand Master summoned a meeting of Royal Arch Masons on the 25th February, 1829, at which every Chapter would be represented. The authority to form theSupreme Royal Arch Chapter for Ireland resulted from this meeting. |
The minutes of the ‘Grand Convocation of Royal Arch Masons’ held in Dublin on the 11th June, 1829 show that the Chapter, having been opened in ample form, and the Companions present ‘having verified their powers, were received as representatives and proxies’ of no less than 53 private chapters. Companion John Fowler, at that time Past Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland and at that time Deputy Grand Secretary, confirmed ‘the objects of the Preparatory Convocation and the intention and views of the those Royal Arch Masons who, with the sanction of His Grace the Duke of Leinster had contributed to forward the present undertaking’. The next paragraph in the Minutes indicates that the Companions present, ‘do hereby declare and constitute themselves the Grand and Supreme Royal Arch Chapter for Ireland, which motion being put was carried unanimously’. It was then resolved that ‘all Chapters of Royal Arch Masons [which] think proper to apply for Warrants shall be entitled to them on payment of the sum of five shillings each’.
Whereas the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter for Ireland was constituted in 1829 it was in some instances many years before all Chapters came fully under its control. In this regard I would refer you to the Royal Arch Lodge Jewel of "Armagh Royal Arch Lodge No. 623" - this chapter is recorded as having taken out its Chapter Warrant in 1845 and despite the fact that the presentation jewel is dated 14th August 1846, the Chapter's is referred to as "Royal Arch Lodge" and has the classic symbolism of the early Royal Arch, which would all suggest the Craft Lodge "sanctioned" the Royal Arch working under its Warrant long before the "Lodge" ever joined the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter.
Whereas the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter for Ireland was constituted in 1829 it was in some instances many years before all Chapters came fully under its control. In this regard I would refer you to the Royal Arch Lodge Jewel of "Armagh Royal Arch Lodge No. 623" - this chapter is recorded as having taken out its Chapter Warrant in 1845 and despite the fact that the presentation jewel is dated 14th August 1846, the Chapter's is referred to as "Royal Arch Lodge" and has the classic symbolism of the early Royal Arch, which would all suggest the Craft Lodge "sanctioned" the Royal Arch working under its Warrant long before the "Lodge" ever joined the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter.
Smoke Seal - Armagh Royal Arch Lodge No. 623.
In 1854 the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter appointed a Ritual Commission which between 1859 - 1861 made drastric changes to the Royal Arch Ritual. The final revision of the New Ritual was approved by the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter on the 16th November, 1864 and was then adopted as the Official Irish Version.
It was only in 1931, despite the existence of the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter since 1829, that the M.W. Grand Lodge recognised the Royal Arch Degrees with the following Law (30):-
"Pure Ancient Masonry consists of the following Degrees and No others, viz.:- the Entered Apprenctice, the Fellow Craft, the Master Mason and the Installed Master, but the Degrees of Royal Arch and Mark Master Mason shall also be recognised so long as the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland shall only work those two degrees in the form in which they are worked "at the passing of the Law""
I hope the above gives you some insight into the history of the Royal Arch Degree in Ireland.
It was only in 1931, despite the existence of the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter since 1829, that the M.W. Grand Lodge recognised the Royal Arch Degrees with the following Law (30):-
"Pure Ancient Masonry consists of the following Degrees and No others, viz.:- the Entered Apprenctice, the Fellow Craft, the Master Mason and the Installed Master, but the Degrees of Royal Arch and Mark Master Mason shall also be recognised so long as the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland shall only work those two degrees in the form in which they are worked "at the passing of the Law""
I hope the above gives you some insight into the history of the Royal Arch Degree in Ireland.