© 2021 Provincial Grand Court of Wessex
Court of ÆĐELRED No. 66
Meeting at The Masonic Hall, off High Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. TA8 1NX Regular meetings of the Court are held on the 3rd. Monday in March, May, and October (Installation). CONTACT SECRETARY: W. Bro. David R. Attwater, ProvJGW PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY 100 Avonmouth Road, Bristol, BS11 9NA (Home Phone: 01179 38 0271 Mob: 07443 54 9721 e-mail: dattwater50@sky.com ORATION : THE COURT of ÆĐELRED No. 66, 3rd. July 2010 by W.& Em.Bro. Colin Lowther, Acting Provincial Eminent Grand Prior of Wessex And God said, Let there be Light and there was Light. Everyone here today will have heard that phrase at some time in his Masonic career. Brethren, we are gathered here today in harmony and peace, and privileged to be present at, and to participate in, the consecration of the newest Court of Athelstan, the fourth Court in the Province of Wessex. Yet, Brethren, you are but camping out in this Temple at Nailsea. Temporary residents waiting to move on. This is not to be the permanent home of ÆĐELRED Court, for that is to be further South, about 20 miles away at Burnham on Sea.
Most, if not all of the founders of ÆĐELRED Court, will be familiar with the Masonic Temple in Burnham. The address in the Somerset year book is given as "Up a lane opposite the Somerset & Dorset Public House", Burnham on Sea. That building, which is so easy for a regular visitor to find, but so difficult for a first time visitor. It is tucked away, out of sight in one of the many side streets and alleyways leading off the High Street in Burnham. Yet that building, like Burnham itself is steeped in history. Craft, Royal Arch Chapter, Mark, Royal Ark Mariners, Red Cross of Constantine and the Operatives all meet there. Now another chapter is to be added to the history of the Masonic Temple at Burnham on Sea. The founding of a new Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan. The newest Court in the Order of Athelstan. The town of Burnham can trace its history back to Roman Times. There are ancient records of a settlement at the mouth of the River Parrett where it meets Bridgwater Bay. A small village until the late 1700`s when tourism found it. Reclaiming the land on the Somerset levels has taken place in that area from time immemorial. The biggest set back in the reclamation of the land, was without a doubt, the great flood of 1607 and it is probable that the surge of water reached as far inland as Nailsea itself, where we meet today. Burnham on Sea, is well known for its Lighthouse or Lighthouses. The first recorded Light was on top of the tower of the 14th century church of St. Andrews, later, in the 1800's, to be replaced with a purpose built Lighthouse. There are three lighthouses in Burnham, four if you count Burnham Lighthouse Assemblage, although, apart from the Assemblage, only one Lighthouse functions, the old wooden lighthouse on the sands. Somerset, and Burnham in particular, has ancient Masonic connections. The Masonic Province of Somerset was founded in 1770 and the Rural Philanthropic Lodge, now number 291, although it has had at least five numbers in its chequered history, meeting in the Temple at Burnham, was founded in 1793. The Masonic Order of Athelstan is young by comparison. Yet, like Freemasonry some 200 years ago, the Order is thriving and moving from strength to strength, growing month by month and year by year. The new Court, ÆĐELRED Court number 66, takes its name from a well known but not very popular Anglo Saxon King, Ethelred the II or, as he is better known, Ethelred the Unready. Born in 968, King of the English from March 978 until his death in April 1016. He had succeeded to the throne at the age of 10 following the murder of his half brother Edward, in nearby Corfe Castle. Edward was later to become Edward the Martyr. Ethelred, was crowned King of the English at Kingston upon Thames where Athelstan and five other Saxon Kings, were also crowned. A stone, believed to be a Coronation Stone has been recovered and now stands in the High Street at Kingston upon Thames. History has been unkind to Ethelred the II. Modern historians suggest that the title, "The Unready", was not justified. A strict interpretation of the Anglo Saxon words, unraed or unraedy is "ill advised". The name Ethelred is interpreted as Good Counsel. A true interpretation of the name Ethelred the Unready is, "Good Counsel, ill advised". Many historians now believe that Ethelred II was the victim of circumstances. Historical research completed in the late 1980 f s suggest that it was not Ethelred who was the "unready", but his advisors. They were looking after the interests of the wealthy landed gentry, who in turn were trying to recover the losses incurred, when Ethelred's predecessor, Edward was on the throne, and who had handed most of their lands and family treasures to the Monasteries. Ethelred was once described as "A young man in respect of years. Elegant in his manners, with an attractive face and handsome appearance". Not unlike the new Worshipful Master of ÆĐELRED Court. Like the remaining lighthouse in Burnham on Sea, which shines its brilliant light outwards across Bridgwater Bay, may ÆĐELRED Court become a powerful light in the Order of Athelstan, shining inwards over the Somerset Levels and, under the direction of Right Worshipful Brother Malcolm Burns, the Provincial Grand Master of this Province of Wessex, lead the Order of Athelstan on from Strength to Strength. Brethren, may the Light of God, shine upon this Court, until time shall be no more.
© 2021 Provincial Grand Court of Wessex
Court of ÆĐELRED No. 66
Meeting at The Masonic Hall, off High Street,Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. TA8 1NX TA8 1NX Regular meetings of the Court are held on the 3rd. Monday in March, May (Installation), and October. CONTACT SECRETARY: W. Bro. David R. Attwater, ProvJGW Provincial Grand Secretary 100 Avonmouth Road, Bristol, Avon. BS11 9NA (Home Phone: 01793 80 0271 Mob: 07967 69 0263 e-mail: dattwater50@sky.com ORATION : THE COURT of ÆĐELRED No. 66, 3rd. July 2010 by W.& Em.Bro. Colin Lowther, Acting Provincial Eminent Grand Prior of Wessex And God said, Let there be Light and there was Light. Everyone here today will have heard that phrase at some time in his Masonic career. Brethren, we are gathered here today in harmony and peace, and privileged to be present at, and to participate in, the consecration of the newest Court of Athelstan, the fourth Court in the Province of Wessex. Yet, Brethren, you are but camping out in this Temple at Nailsea. Temporary residents waiting to move on. This is not to be the permanent home of ÆĐELRED Court, for that is to be further South, about 20 miles away at Burnham on Sea.
Most, if not all of the founders of ÆĐELRED Court, will be familiar with the Masonic Temple in Burnham. The address in the Somerset year book is given as "Up a lane opposite the Somerset & Dorset Public House", Burnham on Sea. That building, which is so easy for a regular visitor to find, but so difficult for a first time visitor. It is tucked away, out of sight in one of the many side streets and alleyways leading off the High Street in Burnham. Yet that building, like Burnham itself is steeped in history. Craft, Royal Arch Chapter, Mark, Royal Ark Mariners, Red Cross of Constantine and the Operatives all meet there. Now another chapter is to be added to the history of the Masonic Temple at Burnham on Sea. The founding of a new Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan. The newest Court in the Order of Athelstan. The town of Burnham can trace its history back to Roman Times. There are ancient records of a settlement at the mouth of the River Parrett where it meets Bridgwater Bay. A small village until the late 1700`s when tourism found it. Reclaiming the land on the Somerset levels has taken place in that area from time immemorial. The biggest set back in the reclamation of the land, was without a doubt, the great flood of 1607 and it is probable that the surge of water reached as far inland as Nailsea itself, where we meet today. Burnham on Sea, is well known for its Lighthouse or Lighthouses. The first recorded Light was on top of the tower of the 14th century church of St. Andrews, later, in the 1800's, to be replaced with a purpose built Lighthouse. There are three lighthouses in Burnham, four if you count Burnham Lighthouse Assemblage, although, apart from the Assemblage, only one Lighthouse functions, the old wooden lighthouse on the sands. Somerset, and Burnham in particular, has ancient Masonic connections. The Masonic Province of Somerset was founded in 1770 and the Rural Philanthropic Lodge, now number 291, although it has had at least five numbers in its chequered history, meeting in the Temple at Burnham, was founded in 1793. The Masonic Order of Athelstan is young by comparison. Yet, like Freemasonry some 200 years ago, the Order is thriving and moving from strength to strength, growing month by month and year by year. The new Court, ÆĐELRED Court number 66, takes its name from a well known but not very popular Anglo Saxon King, Ethelred the II or, as he is better known, Ethelred the Unready. Born in 968, King of the English from March 978 until his death in April 1016. He had succeeded to the throne at the age of 10 following the murder of his half brother Edward, in nearby Corfe Castle. Edward was later to become Edward the Martyr. Ethelred, was crowned King of the English at Kingston upon Thames where Athelstan and five other Saxon Kings, were also crowned. A stone, believed to be a Coronation Stone has been recovered and now stands in the High Street at Kingston upon Thames. History has been unkind to Ethelred the II. Modern historians suggest that the title, "The Unready", was not justified. A strict interpretation of the Anglo Saxon words, unraed or unraedy is "ill advised". The name Ethelred is interpreted as Good Counsel. A true interpretation of the name Ethelred the Unready is, "Good Counsel, ill advised". Many historians now believe that Ethelred II was the victim of circumstances. Historical research completed in the late 1980 f s suggest that it was not Ethelred who was the "unready", but his advisors. They were looking after the interests of the wealthy landed gentry, who in turn were trying to recover the losses incurred, when Ethelred's predecessor, Edward was on the throne, and who had handed most of their lands and family treasures to the Monasteries. Ethelred was once described as "A young man in respect of years. Elegant in his manners, with an attractive face and handsome appearance". Not unlike the new Worshipful Master of ÆĐELRED Court. Like the remaining lighthouse in Burnham on Sea, which shines its brilliant light outwards across Bridgwater Bay, may ÆĐELRED Court become a powerful light in the Order of Athelstan, shining inwards over the Somerset Levels and, under the direction of Right Worshipful Brother Malcolm Burns, the Provincial Grand Master of this Province of Wessex, lead the Order of Athelstan on from Strength to Strength. Brethren, may the Light of God, shine upon this Court, until time shall be no more.