MasonicWorld’s Blog and News

During the course of any given day I field many questions on Freemasonry.  This particular question had me at a loss.  Ronn wanted to know the story behind this Masonic fishing hook. 

Figured I’d put this out to the blog in the hopes that someone can point Ronn in the right direction.  The information he has so far:

I have found no one who collects hooks who has any information on why the symbol would be on the hook. The makers are known though, with the original company opening in 1820 and taking on the Clerk, Green & Baker name in 1859. The hook was found with five others of the same vintage but different names and none with the symbol. I am not sure this hook was but am that the others were made in England.

If you have any additional information to provide please contact Ronn at: http://www.ronnlucassr.com/  (contact link on the bottom left).  In addition, it seems he makes hooks, so maybe if anyone is interested he might be able to resurrect the Masonic fishing hook (I googled and did not find other Masonic fishing hooks).  *I am not affiliated with Ronn or his business.  I am sure he would appreciate any help someone could provide.

*This post was submitted at request.  If you would like to have your news posted, please contact us via our contact page. 

Brethren,

For generations, Masonic "historians" have attempted to deny the very existence of King Athelstan’s brother, Prince Edwin of York.

This calumny has now been thoroughly exposed and he cannot any longer be denied his rightful place in Anglo-Saxon, and English Masonic history.

Records of the Abbey of St Bertin in Flandres, a few miles from Ushant, make note of King Athelstan’s expressions of gratitude for their burial of Edwin, who had drowned in a storm escaping from England during a period of turmoil (AD933).

In the contemporary Cartulaire de l’abbaye de S. Bertin it records the favour Athelstan heaped on the monastery "because the king’s brother, King [sic] Edwin, had been buried in the monastery of St. Bertin."

The cartulary version dates the incident to 932 and describes how, "the same King [sic] Edwin, when, because of some perturbation in his kingdom, got into a ship and tried to reach this part by sea, but the ship foundered in the storms and he was lost in the waves.

When his body was brought to the shore Count Adalolf received it with honour because he was a close kinsman and brought it to St. Bertin for burial."

The William of Malmesbury version in his Gesta regum suggests ingenuity and perseverance in an armour-bearer who found and fished out his master’s body and "swam a ship to land".

We can now say that this incident is confirmed by the entry in the Anglo-Saxon chronicles for the year 933: "This year died Bishop Frithestan; and Edwin the atheling was drowned in the sea".

Let us hear no more falsehood on this issue Brethren: Prince Edwin of York, the first Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of All England at York lived his life, died tragically at sea in AD933, and his mortal remains are buried in the Benedictine Monastery of l’Abbeye Saint Bertin in Flandres.

A delegation from The Grand Lodge at York will make a pilgrimage to l’Abbeye Saint Bertin as soon as it can be arranged.

YORK

January 2008

Peter J. Clatworthy

Grand Secretary

Grand Lodge of All England at York

www.grandlodgeofallengland.org

We perused the web to find leadership and membership conferences.  Does your Grand Lodge or Lodge  host such events?  Have a "plan of action" for 2008?  Retaining and growing current members is a must for a successful Lodge or Grand Lodge. 

Some of our picks:

Grand Lodge of F&AM of Alaska Strategic Plan

Grand Lodge of F&AM of Alaska

Masonic Service Association of North America (MSANA)

Taking the Next Steps

Grand Lodge California

Membership

Leadership

The 43^rd Masonic Spring Workshop (Grand Lodge of Alberta)

Masonic Workshop

Grand Lodge of Arizona 2008 Lodge Leadership Conferences

Grand Lodge of Arizona Leadership Conferences