Introduction
It would be surprising if a Lodge that has met continuously since the early
18th century had not preserved some of its earlier ceremonial customs. The
proven Visitor to the Lodge will not be disappointed in this respect for he
will discover many practices that are different from his own familiar
traditions.
Rehearsal and Lodge of Instruction Meetings
One week before the Meetings mentioned above, the Officers meet to rehearse the
ceremony. The Lodge of Instruction meets on the same evening allowing open
discussion on any aspect of Freemasonry. This meeting also gives Brethren the
opportunity to meet new and existing Members in a less formal manner.
Masonic Hall
The Lodge meets at Bath’s original Theatre Royal, the first patented
‘Theatre Royal’ in the Provinces. It was built in 1750 and served as
a Theatre until 1805. After four years of disuse the building was acquired by
the Roman Catholic authorities who converted it into a church. In 1866, on
completion of the new St. John’s Church in South Parade, the building
again became available and was purchased by three Masonic Lodges: Royal
Cumberland No. 41, Royal Sussex No. 53 and Lodge of Honour No. 379.
The Beginnings and Mode of Working
The earliest Lodge minute dated 28th December 1732 records an established Lodge
at the Bear Inn, Bath. It affiliated with the Moderns’ Grand Lodge the
following May when it received a Deputation, signed by Lord Montague, the Grand
Master. The Bear Lodge almost certainly derived its membership from an earlier
Lodge that met at the Queen’s Head in Bath, which had been formed by Dr.
Desaguliers, Past Grand Master, in 1724. No other Lodge existed at the time in
or near Bath, and like a dissolving picture the Queen’s Head Lodge fades
and the Bear Lodge appears.
In 1770 Thomas Dunckerley was commissioned by the Moderns’ Grand Lodge
to compile a ritual for all three degrees. It is recorded that he completed the
work to the satisfaction of all Brethren. In 1784, as Provincial Grand Master,
he constituted a new Lodge in Bath. It was named after the Duke of Cumberland
who had been elected Grand Master in 1782. Dunckerley provided this new Lodge
with a ritual and bye-laws. This was the ritual he had written for Grand Lodge
and which he also gave to the Bristol Lodges a little later.
In 1785 the old ‘Bear Inn Lodge’ amalgamated with the new Royal
Cumberland Lodge. The combined Lodge adopted the name Royal Cumberland but
continued work under the old Deputation. Today the Lodge has the rare honour of
being a Deputised rather than a Warranted Lodge and as such is one of seven so
named. It is also the first Lodge to have paid for its Warrant.
The Masonic Historian, W. Bro. W. J. Hughan, observed in 1880 that the
Lodge at the Queen’s Head was the first Warranted Lodge for any part of
the Country, and because regular Freemasonry has been in existence in the City
ever since, Bath may be regarded as the Premier Masonic Provincial City of
England.
It is interesting to note that this working compiled by Thomas Dunckerley was
taken to Australia by W. Bro. Percy Wells (PM 1854), circa 1858. At that time
the working was known as the ‘Somerset Ritual’. It must have provided
a good base for Freemasonry as it was adopted and used by the English Lodges in
South Australia, though sadly this is not the case today.
Thanks mainly to the work of W. Bro. C. Curd, PAGDC PM who at the Grand
Lodge inquiry in 1929, successfully defended the right of Private Lodges to
retain their old rituals, this distinguished working is used by three Bath
Lodges: Royal Cumberland Lodge No 41, daughter Lodge, Royal Albert Edward Lodge
No 906 and granddaughter Lodge, St. Alphege Lodge No. 4095. W. Bro. Curd in
ending his case is reported as saying, “… those Lodges that did not
work this ceremony were looked upon as ‘slackers’ who wished to shirk
a little work and get more quickly to the banquet afterwards …”.
Bi-Centenary Jewel
Lodge Members are entitled to wear the Bi-Centenary Jewel. It seems that the
Lodge purchased the Centenary Jewel in 1833 and then the Bi-Centenary Bar in
1933. They are purchased by Members as and when available and the funds go to
the Lodge Charity accounts. Note. The Jewel is engraved with the Lodge Number
48. This number was held by the Lodge from 1832 - 1863 when it was re-numbered
to its present number No. 41.
Past Masters’ Jewel
The Past Master’s Jewel is awarded to each Past Master who meets the
conditions set out by the late W. Bro. Edmund White who contributed to a fund
for the purchase of the Jewels.
Note: Unusual design of this Jewel.
Charities
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of
orphans, the disadvantaged, the sick and the aged and efforts continue to
uphold the traditions established over many years.
Further Information
If you wish to learn more about Royal Cumberland Lodge No. 41, contact the
Provincial Office by e-mail, card or letter giving, your name, address and
interest. Or write to The Secretary, Royal Cumberland Lodge No. 41, c/o Masonic
Hall, Old Orchard Street, Bath, BA1 1JU.
