Watford Encampment, or Stuart Preceptory as it was later re-named, was consecrated at Freemasons Hall, Watford by (Sir) J.C. Burckhardt, Grand Sub-Prior on 24th July 1840. (Sir) William Stuart was Installed as the first Eminent Commander and proceeded to Install Companions Henry Stuart and Thomas Rogers, (both Royal Arch Companions of Watford Chapter) as Knights Templar.

According to the Attendance Register the Founders were:

William Stuart, Benjamin Bond Cabbell, M.P., Thomas Field Savary, John Christian Burckhardt, all of the Observance of 7 Degrees Encampment, Thomas Abel Ward of the Norwich Encampment, George Francis of the Mount Carmel Encampment, George Beattie, Lawrence Thompson, John Aldjo and J.G. Elster.

At the end of the meeting the Encampment was closed until “the Friday nearest the full moon in November next”.

In the Preceptory records on 10th July 1854 (Sir) William Stuart is first mentioned as being the Deputy Grand Master of England.

On 9th July 1860 a resolution unanimously agreed to change the Encampment’s name from Watford to Stuart and on 28th January 1861 this resolution was confirmed. On the same day reference was made that, in the next May, (Sir) William Stuart was to be installed as Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master. The last recorded attendance of (Sir) William Stuart was on 17th January 1870, almost thirty years after the Consecration.

The first confirmed record of a Priory of the Order of Malta being held was on 17th November 1884 at which six Knights were Installed.

On 18th January 1897, following a recommendation from the Permanent Committee, the name of the Encampment was changed to Preceptory and the minutes of the meeting, for the first time, refer to the Eminent Commander (E.Kt. Dr. Henry Wilson Iles) as being the Eminent Preceptor. In 1901 the Preceptory was given the number “28”.

It was not until 23rd May 1930 that another Preceptory was Consecrated in Hertfordshire, that being The Preceptory of St. Alban No.266.

On 24th July 1940, “during the war” the Centenary Meeting was held and the Centenary Warrant was handed, by V.E.Kt. G.E. Bridge, on behalf of the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, The Rt.Hon. Henry George Charles Lescelles, 6th Earl of Harewood, via the Provincial Prior, V.E.Kt. J.F. Cleeves, to the Eminent Preceptor, V.E.Kt. Canon Frederick Halsey, The Treasure, E.Kt. A.G. Baker, read a short account of the history of the Preceptory which had been compiled by the Registrar who was unavoidably absent. Unfortunately, no record of the account has been found.

The 150th Anniversary was celebrated on 9th April 1990 with the Provincial Prior, R.E.Kt. Dr. Alan Owen being present, together with his Escort and Bodyguard and a large number of members and guests. This was a working meeting with Companion “Dick” Machin being Installed as a Knight of the Order by the Eminent Preceptor, E.Kt. P. Mitchell. On the stage at the Halsey Masonic Hall, Watford, at the Festive Board, was a large oil painting of the Installation of (Sir) William Stuart at the Consecration. This painting is now hung on the wall on the back stairs at the hall. As this commemorates the founding of Knights Templar in Hertfordshire, it is hoped, in the not too distant future, to have it restored and hung in a position where all Knights Templar can see it. The present condition can be judged from this picture

Many eminent and well known members of the Province of Hertfordshire have been Installed in the Stuart Preceptory including the Rev. Dr. Oliver Cockrem, Rev. Joseph Moffett, Rev. (later Canon) Frederick Halsey, Dr.Henry Wilson Iles, Companions James Parsons, James Terry, Dennis Henry Herbert, M.P., later to become the First Lord Hemingford, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and Thomas Abel Ward, Deputy Grand Master of the Craft in 1854.

Stuart Preceptory, under its various names, met firstly at The Freemasons' Hall, Watford; in 1916 moved to Buck’s Hall, Watford and in 1927 to its present home at Halsey Masonic Hall, Watford.

You will see at the top of this page, two banners. That on the left is the Watford Encampment banner and that on the right the Stuart Preceptory banner. The Watford Encampment banner was meticulously restored in the mid 1990’s by Iwla, the wife of E.Kt. Dennis Thomas, the Eminent Preceptor in 1985 and at that time the Chaplain. As well, he was an Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Hertfordshire for the Craft and Provincial Grand Master for Hertfordshire for the Mark.

One item which will always be seen at the Stuart Festive Board is a Scotch Mull. This belonged at one time to Kt. Francis King, who was Installed as a Knight of the Order at the first regular meeting, held on 6th November 1840. He was E.Commander Elect in 1858, but was unable to attend his Installation and died shortly afterwards. The Mull was purchased in conjunction with the R.A. Chapter of Watford in 1859, each contributing one and a half guineas. The Scotch Mull is a ram’s horn with a silver container with a hinged lid at the end, in which snuff is kept. To it are attached the various implements used for the taking of snuff which is still enjoyed at the Stuart Festive Board today. The Mull dates from 1807 and the lid is inscribed:

“Memoriam of Francis King

E.C. of Watford Encampment

P.Z. & Scribe E. of Watford Chapter No. 580

P.M. of Watford Lodge No. 580

Ob’t 13th August 1858”

The Mull was restored to its present glory under the supervision of E.Kt. John Roberts. Below are pictures of the Mull and John and the snuff being offered to E.Kt. Gavin O'Sullivan. With the banning of smoking in the dining room at Halsey Hall, Watford, snuff taking may again become popular!

Also at the Festive Board you will see the Guard distributing (and then hopefully retrieving) a set of silver Firing Swords including one marked for the Eminent Preceptor with a Preceptor's Cross.                

The Preceptory, being the first and some would say the “father” of the Province is not only full of history but has been instrumental, through its members, in building the Province to the size it is today. The members are justly proud of their heritage and the warm and friendly welcome they give to all who visit.