king~cerdic~court

Since that day, they have worked very hard to build a structure on which a new Court of Athelstan should rest. That structure is now complete. Brethren, this is a happy occasion. Once again, we are gathered together in Devonshire, in peace and in harmony and to consecrate a new Court in the Masonic Order of Athelstan, King Cerdic Court № 82. The seventh Court in the Province of Wessex. In choosing the name, King Cerdic, the founders of this new Court have chosen well. History tells us that King Cerdic, probably arrived, and I use those words very carefully, in this country in the year 495. However, he was, I believe, without doubt, the founder and the first King of Anglo Saxon Wessex. He reigned from A.D.519 to 534. All Anglo Saxon Kings are descend from him. It is even suggested that all the Royal families of Europe may be descended from him. We meet here today in Honiton, the traditional gateway to Devonshire. Many Brethren of my age will recall driving through this ancient town on the way to a holiday resort on the South coast. The main road through the town, clogged up with the holiday traffic. Today, most of the through traffic now uses the by-pass Honiton has changed considerably since the early sixties, but even more so since Roman times, when this little town was an important stopping point for the Roman Legions. Devon, was one of the first areas of Great Britain to be settled following the last Ice Age, but modern Honiton seems to come to life late in the eleventh century. Historical records show that there was a settlement here in Roman Times, Muridunum, that translates to Hillfort of the Dead. It was a small religious settlement and trading post on the edge of the Fosseway. The Fosseway being the first great Roman Road in Britain. However, although the name of the town is undoubtedly Anglo Saxon, as far as I can see, there is no traceable connection between the town of Honiton of today and Anglo Saxon Britain. It is the word Wessex that unites us here today. The ancient Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Wessex and the modern Athelstan Province of Wessex Although the name appears in the Domesday book, prepared in 1086, very little is known of Honiton before this period. Historical records starting in the eleventh century record the growth of the town. It has moved through various periods since that date. Gloves, Pottery and Lace feature prominently. Today it has a specialist Antiques market. Freemasonry in Devon can trace its roots back to 1732. St John the Baptist Lodge № 39, meeting in Exeter, has worked continuously since that date although it was another 43 years before the Province of Devonshire was constituted. Masonry arrived in Honiton in 1806, in the form of a Craft Lodge that had migrated from London. The Corinthian and Constitutional Lodge № 188. That Lodge can trace its history back to the Corinthian Lodge which first met in the White Hart, in The Strand, in London in 1765. After that Lodge moved to Devon, the old Bye Laws show that the Lodge would meet every month on the Tuesday before the full moon. The venue, the Golden Lion Inn, now long gone. That Lodge was erased in 1829. A new Lodge, Fortescue Lodge No 1149 was consecrated in July 1863. In October of the same year, for some reason or other, it became Fortescue Lodge No 847. As was fashionable at the time, that Lodge met in numerous hostelries within the town, finally settling in this building in 1921. Fortescue Chapter also meets here. With this Craft and Royal Arch background, it is very appropriate that a new Court of Athelstan should be founded in Honiton and to meet in this very Temple. Many of the founders of this new Court are members of Fortescue Lodge and Fortescue Chapter. The original Province of Wessex dates back to the arrival of King Cerdic, Freemasonry in Devonshire dates from the early 1700's. The Province of Wessex that we, as Court Masons recognise, was founded when Malmesbury Court No. 100 was consecrated in May 2008. Provinces, Regions, Lodges and even Counties come and go, but Masonry, seems to go on for ever. Ceremonies for so many of the Degrees and Orders are created from information gathered together from different sources and covering extended periods of time. The Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales and its Provinces Overseas is founded on accepted written historical documentation. The Grand Assembly at York in 926. At that time, the great traditions of symbolic and operative Masonry that we now recognise and practise, were constituted, revived or organised. A new code of conduct for the governing of the Craft of Masonry was instituted. Over 1000 years have passed since the date of that historic meeting but the basic rules for the governance of society, laid down at that time, still prevail to this day. It is our duty as Masons to continue these practises. As Court Masons, we should be looking for like minded persons to join us in this Order. Look for those who hold the same ideals as ourselves. A lot of good will come out of a simple conversation. By uniting and spreading the ideals that we hold, we may contribute to making the world a better place, not only for ourselves but for future generations. Remember that membership of this highly respected Order is by invitation only. Brethren, I exhort you to follow the guidance given during the course of your instruction earlier today. Remember your obligation, wherein you swore, that you would uphold the honour and dignity of the Order, and the high character and usefulness of this Court, in both your civil and private callings. Let us be inspired by our leaders. Work hard and make progress. It is not luck that takes you to the top, it is sheer hard work. Practise outside this Court, that which you learn within. It will stand you in good stead in society. Under the watchful eye of our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Michael Roalfe, his Deputy, Right Worshipful Brother David Buxton and the the Assistant Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Alan Baverstock, both of whom have travelled many miles to be with us today, and, under the guiding hands of the Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Malcolm Burns and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Very Worshipful Brother Brian Wright, this Court will go from strength to strength. I paraphrase: It is hoped that membership of this Court, will stimulate your minds to further Masonic research. Brethren, may the Supreme Being and Creator of all things, bless you, guide you and protect you from this day forth and for evermore. I

Court of King Cerdic No. 82 Meeting at The Masonic Hall, 3 Northcote Lane, Honiton, Devon. EX14 1NP Regular meetings of the Court are held on the 3rd.Wednesday in February (Installation), June and October. CONTACT SECRETARY: W.Bro.Christopher D Hallett, ProvJGD e-mail: chris@hallett.co.uk Address: 5 Whitehayes Close, Wilmington, East Devon, EX14 9JP Phone: 01404 83 1663 ORATION : The Court of King Cerdic, 28th April 2012 by W.& Em.Bro. Colin Lowther, Provincial Eminent Grand Prior of Wessex. Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brethren, Brethren all. “It is hoped that it will stimulate your mind to further Masonic research.” Everyone sitting in this room today will have heard that phrase when he was instructed as a Candidate. One day, many months ago, a small band of Brethren gathered together and laid a foundation stone. Since that day, they have worked very hard to build a structure on which a new Court of Athelstan should rest. That structure is now complete. Brethren, this is a happy occasion. Once again, we are gathered together in Devonshire, in peace and in harmony and to consecrate a new Court in the Masonic Order of Athelstan, King Cerdic Court № 82. The seventh Court in the Province of Wessex. In choosing the name, King Cerdic, the founders of this new Court have chosen well. History tells us that King Cerdic, probably arrived, and I use those words very carefully, in this country in the year 495. However, he was, I believe, without doubt, the founder and the first King of Anglo Saxon Wessex. He reigned from A.D.519 to 534. All Anglo Saxon Kings are descend from him. It is even suggested that all the Royal families of Europe may be descended from him. We meet here today in Honiton, the traditional gateway to Devonshire. Many Brethren of my age will recall driving through this ancient town on the way to a holiday resort on the South coast. The main road through the town, clogged up with the holiday traffic. Today, most of the through traffic now uses the by- pass Honiton has changed considerably since the early sixties, but even more so since Roman times, when this little town was an important stopping point for the Roman Legions. Devon, was one of the first areas of Great Britain to be settled following the last Ice Age, but modern Honiton seems to come to life late in the eleventh century. Historical records show that there was a settlement here in Roman Times, Muridunum, that translates to Hillfort of the Dead. It was a small religious settlement and trading post on the edge of the Fosseway. The Fosseway being the first great Roman Road in Britain. However, although the name of the town is undoubtedly Anglo Saxon, as far as I can see, there is no traceable connection between the town of Honiton of today and Anglo Saxon Britain. It is the word Wessex that unites us here today. The ancient Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Wessex and the modern Athelstan Province of Wessex Although the name appears in the Domesday book, prepared in 1086, very little is known of Honiton before this period. Historical records starting in the eleventh century record the growth of the town. It has moved through various periods since that date. Gloves, Pottery and Lace feature prominently. Today it has a specialist Antiques market. Freemasonry in Devon can trace its roots back to 1732. St John the Baptist Lodge № 39, meeting in Exeter, has worked continuously since that date although it was another 43 years before the Province of Devonshire was constituted. Masonry arrived in Honiton in 1806, in the form of a Craft Lodge that had migrated from London. The Corinthian and Constitutional Lodge № 188. That Lodge can trace its history back to the Corinthian Lodge which first met in the White Hart, in The Strand, in London in 1765. After that Lodge moved to Devon, the old Bye Laws show that the Lodge would meet every month on the Tuesday before the full moon. The venue, the Golden Lion Inn, now long gone. That Lodge was erased in 1829. A new Lodge, Fortescue Lodge No 1149 was consecrated in July 1863. In October of the same year, for some reason or other, it became Fortescue Lodge No 847. As was fashionable at the time, that Lodge met in numerous hostelries within the town, finally settling in this building in 1921. Fortescue Chapter also meets here. With this Craft and Royal Arch background, it is very appropriate that a new Court of Athelstan should be founded in Honiton and to meet in this very Temple. Many of the founders of this new Court are members of Fortescue Lodge and Fortescue Chapter. The original Province of Wessex dates back to the arrival of King Cerdic, Freemasonry in Devonshire dates from the early 1700's. The Province of Wessex that we, as Court Masons recognise, was founded when Malmesbury Court No. 100 was consecrated in May 2008. Provinces, Regions, Lodges and even Counties come and go, but Masonry, seems to go on for ever. Ceremonies for so many of the Degrees and Orders are created from information gathered together from different sources and covering extended periods of time. The Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales and its Provinces Overseas is founded on accepted written historical documentation. The Grand Assembly at York in 926. At that time, the great traditions of symbolic and operative Masonry that we now recognise and practise, were constituted, revived or organised. A new code of conduct for the governing of the Craft of Masonry was instituted. Over 1000 years have passed since the date of that historic meeting but the basic rules for the governance of society, laid down at that time, still prevail to this day. It is our duty as Masons to continue these practises. As Court Masons, we should be looking for like minded persons to join us in this Order. Look for those who hold the same ideals as ourselves. A lot of good will come out of a simple conversation. By uniting and spreading the ideals that we hold, we may contribute to making the world a better place, not only for ourselves but for future generations. Remember that membership of this highly respected Order is by invitation only. Brethren, I exhort you to follow the guidance given during the course of your instruction earlier today. Remember your obligation, wherein you swore, that you would uphold the honour and dignity of the Order, and the high character and usefulness of this Court, in both your civil and private callings. Let us be inspired by our leaders. Work hard and make progress. It is not luck that takes you to the top, it is sheer hard work. Practise outside this Court, that which you learn within. It will stand you in good stead in society. Under the watchful eye of our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Michael Roalfe, his Deputy, Right Worshipful Brother David Buxton and the the Assistant Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Alan Baverstock, both of whom have travelled many miles to be with us today, and, under the guiding hands of the Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Malcolm Burns and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Very Worshipful Brother Brian Wright, this Court will go from strength to strength. I paraphrase: It is hoped that membership of this Court, will stimulate your minds to further Masonic research. Brethren, may the Supreme Being and Creator of all things, bless you, guide you and protect you from this day forth and for evermore.