The Masonic Order of Athelstan

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An Introduction to the Masonic ORDER OF ATHELSTAN

This Masonic Order is a tribute to the spirit of King Athelstan - the first king of all of the English. He was the son of Edward the Elder and grandson of Alfred the Great. He was crowned king at Cyningstun (Kingston-upon-Thames) in AD 925 and the Coronation Stone upon which he was crowned may still be seen today located near to All Saints Church in Kingston. He reigned from AD 925 and died at Gloucester in AD 939. He is buried at Malmesbury Abbey.

The Masonic Order of Athelstan was founded in England in 2005 and grew out of the shared interests that a number of like-minded individuals had in the origins of Freemasonry whose research focused specifically on the Saxon Chronicles. The Order portrays the story of a Master Mason called to the legendary Grand Assembly at York in AD 926 to receive the Ancient Charges. The delightful ritual explains a lot of the symbolism we still see in some Lodges today and culminates with an historical oration taking us through the development of the various Grand Lodges, and ends at 1813 with the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England. This ritual is based on the research of many old historic Masonic documents and the draft of the ritual was produced based upon the life and symbolism of King Athelstan.

Individual units in the Order are known as Courts – and there are currently 170 Courts in England Wales and Overseas.

There are 10 Courts in the Province of Sussex whose geographical boundary includes Hampshire & Isle of Wight, South Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex and The Channel Islands. Venues for the courts within the Province are Chichester, Eastbourne, Nutfield, Ferring, Winchester, Guildford, Sutton, Croydon, Ryde on the Isle of Wight and Twickenham. The latest of these Courts was founded at Cole Court Masonic Centre in Twickenham at the end of February 2018. Membership within the Province is presently 200, and includes many Heads of Other Masonic Orders, their Deputies and other members of their Executive.

The Masonic Order of Athelstan is an invitational Order and it is a mandatory requirement that every Member or Candidate must be a subscribing and active member of both a Craft Lodge and a Royal Arch Chapter.

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The Masonic Order of Athelstan

The Masonic Order of Athelstan formed in 2005, growing out of the shared interests that a number of like-minded individuals had in the origins of Masonry. Their research culminated in a few members of that group focusing specifically on the Anglo Saxon Chronicles. In essence, their informal meetings became more and more regular and the rich and invigorating debates offered each member considerable encouragement and support to continue with their personal endeavours. As the group progressed its subsequent interface with other like-minded Masons encouraged them to progress the idea of a new Order even to the writing of a ritual to support it.

This ritual was based on the research of many old historic documents and the discovery of old Craft and other Masonic ritual. Eventually a draft of the ritual was produced based upon the life and symbolism of King Athelstan, the grandson of King Alfred, and the first King of England to be referred to as “The King of All the English”. The Grand Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan was conceived if not yet born.

So what is the Order of Athelstan? The Order has become many different things to many different people. For many it is historic and educational, for others it is rich in symbolism and a vehicle to keep a great deal of old ritual alive, for others it is where good friends meet to share knowledge, thinking, friendship and good company.

Like other Masonic Orders, the ceremonial uses legend and allegory to tell a story and portray good ethical conduct and behaviour. We take the legend of the York Assembly of 926 as our framework and conduit, bringing to life that legendary ancient assembly and in so doing we aim to prompt brethren to further study and research. As such our meetings are held in a Court and our candidates are said to be ‘Instructed’ into the Order.

Candidates must be subscribing Craft Freemasons as well as subscribing Companions of a Royal Arch Chapter in full amity with the United Grand Lodge of England.

The Masonic Order of Athelstan

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The Masonic Order of Athelstan

The Companion Orders

The Masonic Order of Athelstan

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