The earliest speculative Freemasons were probably all Christians as a matter of course. Although Anderson's 'Constitutions' of 1723 and 1738 opened the door of English Freemasonry to "all Good Men an True" who were not "stupid atheists", in the late 1740's specifically Christian Masonic Rites began to appear in France, possibly England also.
For the most part these Rites were 'chivalric', and by the 1770's vestiges of the Templar-Malta ceremonies took place in 'Encampments' derived from Royal Arch Chapters under the Grand Lodge of the 'Antients'. In 1791 probably seven (there is some doubt about the precise number) of these Encampments joined together to form a Grand Conclave under the rule of Thomas Dunckerley. After the union in 1813 the Duke of Sussex became Grand Master, but it was only after his death in 1843 that the orders flourished with renewed vigour.
Although 'Encampments' later became known as 'Preceptories', and the 'Grand Conclave' changed its name to 'Great Priory', the latter is after the Grand Lodge of the Craft itself, the longest established English Masonic authority. It presides over more than 600 Preceptories at home and abroad, each of which (with the exception of 'Bladwyn' at Bristol and 'Antiquity' at Bath) works the official ritual, and which are grouped into 39 Provincial Priories. Great Priory meets twice a year, periodically a Church Service is arranged for the Knights and their friends (in 2001 this took place in Lincoln Cathedral), and the Orders give considerable support to the St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital, a charitable foundation of the (non-Masonic) Venerable Order of St. John.
Assemblies of Knights Templars are described as Preceptories, and under the authority of its warrant a Preceptory has the power to hold a Priory of Knights of Malta.
A candidate for Installation must be of the Christian faith, a Master Mason and a Royal Arch Mason.
Officers of a Preceptory and Priory are:-
|
Knights Templar |
Knights of Malta |
| Eminent Preceptor | Prior |
| Chaplain | Chaplin |
| First Constable | Captain General |
| Second Constable | Lieutenant General |
| Treasurer | Treasurer |
| Registrar (Secretary) | Chancellor |
| Marshal (DC) | Mareschal |
| Deputy Marshal | Deputy Macreschal |
| Almoner | Hospitaller |
| First Herald | 1st Lieutenant |
| Second Herald | 2nd Lieutenant |
| First Standard Bearer | Admiral |
| Second Standard Bearer | Conservator |
| Captain of Guards | Captain of Outposts |
| Organist | |
| Stewards | |
| Guard | Guard |
3 Plains of Rama, Keighley
Last Tuesday - January, March (inst) , June, September
4 Hope, Huddersfield (Greenhead)
Third Friday - February (Inst), March, October, November
13 Faith, Baildon (Hoyle Court)
Fourth Thursday - April (Inst), June, September, November
18 Prince Edward, Todmorden
Fourth Monday - April, May, September, November (Inst)
21 Salamanca, Halifax (Southwood)
Second Thursday - March (Inst), May, September, November
39 Fearnley, Dewsbury
Thursday after alternate full moon except July & August, February (Inst)
66 De Furnival, Sheffield
First Monday - February, October, December & First Fifth weekday except Saturday, March (Inst)
89 Plains of Mamre, Haworth
First Saturday - March (Inst), October, Third Saturday May
114 Fidelity, Leeds
Third Friday - January, April (Inst), October
158 Amphibious, Heckmondwike
Second Thursday - February ,April, October (Inst), December
199 King George V, Leeds
Third Friday - February, September, November (Inst)
205 Integrity, Morley
Second Monday - February, March, May, October, December (Inst)
213 De Ros, Harrogate
Wednesday following first Friday - February, April, June, October (Inst)
214 Chantry, Wakefield
Third Monday - February, April, September, November (Inst)
216 Wharfedale, Otley
Second Tuesday - March (Inst), May, September, November
230 Airedale, Ilkley
Fourth Friday - January, March, September (Inst), November
235 Temple, Barnsley (Cockerham Lane)
Tuesday following first Monday - April (Inst), June, October, December
259 Trafalgar, Batley
Second Monday - February, July, September (Inst), November
265 Grey Friars, Doncaster
Second Monday - February, April (Inst), October, December
298 St. Laurence, Pudsey
Fourth Monday - February, April (Inst), June, October
324 St. Paul, Bradford (Spring Bank Place)
Fourth Wednesday - April (Inst), First Wednesday December, Second Wednesday March
390 Craven, Skipton
Second Wednesday - February, May (Inst), September, November
587 Cohors Praetoria, Morley
First Thursday after Provincial meeting, Third Monday May (Inst)
How can I join?
You must be a Master Mason and have been or still are
a Royal Arch Mason
Contact The Provincial Vice Chancellor
- Telephone
-
0113 258 4520
-
How much does it cost to join?
Regalia - Can be expensive new but most Preceptories have a supply of second hand regalia
Subs - Approximately £30.00 per year, plus cost of festive boards
What do we wear ?
Cap, Tunic, Mantle, Sword belt, Sword
What does it mean Religious Military Masonic Order ?
(i) Religious - based on the Christian belief and the new testament
(ii) Military - we carry swords and become skilled at sword drill
(iii) Masonic - only masons can join
Other sites of interest: