Over one hundred Knights gathered at Halsey Masonic Hall, Cheshunt to receive the Right Eminent Provincial Prior, Brian Blanchard, and his Consecrating Team, who entered the Kent Suite at 10am. After appointing his officers, the Consecrating Officer (the Provincial Prior) requested those present to assist him “to open a Preceptory” Once opened he then proceeded to state the object of the meeting:-

 

“Brother Knights, today marks a significant date in the history of our medieval Knights Templar.   As I am sure you are all aware, today 13th October is the 700th anniversary of the demise of the chivalric Order at the hands of Philip le Bel, King of France in 1307.   I read recently that the Vatican is to publish a book, based on a document known as the Chinon parchment, found in the Vatican Secret Archives six years ago after being incorrectly filed.   It shows that the Knights Templar were not heretics as was widely thought and it exonerates them entirely.     Is it not therefore fortuitous, following on from this admission by the Papacy, that we are gathered here this morning, 700 years to the day exactly, to meet in recognition of this momentous event, and to witness the Consecration a new Preceptory to be named the Preceptory of Jacques de Molay, after the last Grand Master.  

 

Brother Knights our Consecration ceremony is very much built around our Christian beliefs.     The very word itself, consecration, means the act of making sacred, and is so very well applied to our Illustrious Order.    Several times during the ceremony the Prelate will offer up invocations to God to look favourably upon us.  He will perambulate three times censing, and he will finally give a Benediction, calling upon God to bless us in all our doings.   It is therefore only fitting that he should begin this morning’s proceedings by asking the Almighty to aid us in what we are about to do, and I therefore call upon him for prayer.” 

 

The Prelate offered prayers and was then invited by the R.E. Provincial Prior to deliver an oration:

 

“ E Prec, Bro Knights. A strange way to address the RE Prov Prior, but I suspect in this instance the correct one, for at this moment he sits as the Preceptor of a Preceptory. It is a peculiar Preceptory, for it has no name, no number, and is transitory in existence. It was opened a few minutes ago, and it stands at the very opening of a new chapter in the history of our Province. We must surely agree that today is a serious day, our Meeting a solemn one: I therefore make no apologies for delivering a solemn Oration upon which to muse.

 

There is no doubt in our minds as to the reason for our Meeting. It is, of course, to undertake to Consecrate a new Preceptory with the beauty of our ritual to the Honour and Glory of God and the furtherance of Masonic Truth and Light. Therefore, we meet with one hope in mind, that it will be built upon the foundations laid today to take its full part in the advancement of that Truth and Light.

 

My subject is given me, ‘The nature and principles of the Order’, and my text is Eph6:10-17, and in case anyone here is wondering what that might be – I remind you that you have heard it many times in our ritual, as the new knight assumes the garb of a Soldier of the Cross. There are six items mentioned: truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each requires an oration in its own right: my words must therefore be but a gloss.

 

Before we hear of these six items, St. Paul explains that we are involved in a fight, and that as Christians we wrestle against the powers of the devil. Yes, Bro. Knights: this is a Christian Order, and I make no apology for reminding you of this fact. We fight, and we expect to win, to stand, as S. Paul put it, exactly because we have Our Lord on our side – and we must never forget that.

 

Have you ever really stopped to think about this passage of Holy Scripture? If you have, at what level – for there is a great deal contained in these few short verses? Let us spend some time – albeit far too short – considering our armoury. And let us set it in the context of the repeated word, ‘Stand’.

 

I have never been hit in anger, I am delighted to say, but I do know what the phrase, ‘Left hook’ means. Just when you think the opponent is tired out, just when you think you have done enough to win, your right hand drops, you lower your guard, and wham! In comes the left hook, and down you go! Bro. Knights, we must be wary never to lower our guard against  the devil and all his works; we must stand.

 

Stand; loins girt about with ‘truth’. My guess is that it is no coincidence that knights wear such long belts! Soldiers carry much attached to their belts – another tuck, another round, to carry yet something else would always be useful. And see how the truth of the Gospel of Christ not only circles you, and supports your every effort, but there is much more – yes: even allowing that truth to be so generous as to encircle another if called upon. Two knights, one horse.

 

‘And having on the breastplate of righteousness’. Does not the breastplate guard the heart, so often considered the centre of the man and the source of life? Let me ask you – what is the centre of your life? Is it greed, money, hate, lust, etc., or is it integrity, honour, holiness, love - which is being at one with God.

 

‘And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace’. Soldiers used to have shoes fitted with nails, or armed with spikes, to ensure a firm hold on the ground. Paul directs us to the hobnailed boots of Our Saviour – who knew all about nails, though not in his shoes or boots. But just think: holding firm on the ground, therefore being still. The Gospel of Peace – the still and the calm of God. Yes, I know we refer to spurs at this point – Bro. Knights, never cease to spur yourselves on in the Name of Christ, taking his peace, his calm, to all within your circle. ‘And the peace of God which passeth all understanding’. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God’.

 

‘Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.’ When every thing else is lost the shield of faith will preserve you. When you have done all you can do to stand and it seems as if the fiery darts of the enemy will slay you, and God seems nowhere in sight, then cling to the shield of faith. It represents confidence in God and his promises. Faith – it is the step into the unknown, that extra step when knowledge has ceased. It is unseen, intangible, unproven – and yet it is faith that will preserve you – to salvation itself. If you will preserve faith, then faith will preserve you.

 

‘And take the helmet of salvation’. Our ritual contains the words, ‘Guard your head’. I suggest here that we think, ‘Guard your minds’. Not the physical, anatomical, skull that is placed on our spine, but the mind – our inner thoughts and imaginations: as Paul wrote to the Philippians, ‘Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

And lastly, ‘The sword of the Spirit’. No, Bro. Knights, not the physical sword you carry at your side, but another, far more important weapon than that. Remember, the devil took our Lord into the wilderness and tempted Him three times – and He overcame by the Word; for the word is stronger than the sword. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

 

Just one last point – and I think it is an important point: six items of warfare. Have you ever noticed that five of the six are defensive – and only one offensive? That tells us that about 83% of our fight is defending or standing firm, and only 17% is actually about offending. And yes: the word of God can offend, it is mighty, but it is essential for our salvation.

 

Bro Knights, you have found the faith to lead you to this moment. May your professed faith in God, and in our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ support it and you, and may the contribution you have made this day to the Order in general, and to the Province of Hertfordshire in particular, return blessings upon you in the days to come. For it is written, “Him that honoureth me will I honour”, and “With corn, and wine, and oil will I sustain thee”.

 

With this hope for the future in mind, let us now turn in faith to the happy task of Consecrating this new Preceptory of Jacques de Molay.”

 

The Petitioners formed up in the West, and the Consecrating Officer and his team proceeded to Consecrated this Preceptory in a very impressive, sympathetic, but efficient manner. Those present had plenty to be moved by, and impressed with, including the magnificent Consecration Vessels lent by the Hertfordshire Provincial Craft Province. The “mechanics” were carried out with dignity, as well as purpose, and the Founders played their part with some very smart and organised marching.

The Preceptory of Jacques de Molay No.670 now being in existence, the Provincial Sub-Prior, Very Eminent Knight A. (Tony) P.C. King, proceeded to Install the Preceptor Nominate, V.E. Knight Brian G. Juniper. The Preceptory then, for the first time, began to conduct its own business. Appointments, Investitures and Elections took place, the By-Laws were adopted and the Consecrating Officers (deservedly so) were elected Honorary Members. Alms were collected, following which the Consecrating Officers retired and the Preceptory continued its business.

Once the Preceptory was closed, photographs were taken, congratulations and Knightly good wishes were exchanged, and thirsts were assuaged.

The Provincial Prior & Sub Prior with the Founders

 

The Provincial Prior & Sub Prior with the Eminent Preceptor & his Constables

 

The Consecrating Team

 

The Knights were then refreshed and entertained at a splendid Festive Board.

E.Kt. Philip Hoy, was at his best with his Toast to the Guests:

 

"Eminent Preceptor, R.E Provincial Prior, V.E Prov Sub-Prior, Distinguished Knights, Brother Knights all. I have the privilege of proposing the Toast to our Guests and Visitors and, on a day as auspicious as this one, it is indeed a singular honour. We have all just taken part in the Consecration of a new Preceptory which in itself is a seldom enough occasion. To have seen a Preceptory founded in honour of the last Grand Master, Jacques de Molay is very rare indeed. But to have been present at a consecration of a Preceptory on the 700th Anniversary of the destruction of Knights Templar, is unique and something I am sure, we will all remember for the rest of our lives.

 

The story of the orders downfall will be well known to you all, but what may not be known is that prior to the arrest, The King of France, Phillip le Belle made Jacques de Molay Godfather of his son. The day before the arrest de Molay also acted as Pallbearer at the funeral of Philip's sister in law. Perhaps the king didn't want the order to suspect his motives or perhaps he was simply adhering to the old adage, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer." On the 13th of October 1307 every Templar in France was arrested, and a prolonged examination of the members of the order was held. De Molay, under torture, confessed that some of the charges brought against the order were true. He was kept in prison for seven years, and in 1314 he was brought up with three other dignitaries of the Temple, before a commission of cardinals and others to hear the sentence of imprisonment for life pronounced. Then, to the surprise of the commission, De Molay withdrew his confession.

 

Immediately the king heard of it he gave orders that De Molay and another of the four, who had also recanted, should be burnt as lapsed heretics. On March 18th, 1314 de Molay was led out before the people to publicly confess his and the order's sins. He recanted his earlier confessions and said the only crime he was guilty of was lying about his Brethren to relieve his own tortures. He was then taken to an island on the Seine and burned along with Geoffrey de Charney the Preceptor of Normandy. It is claimed that de Molay in his dying breath summoned both the King of France and Pope Clement to meet him in a tribunal before God within the year. True to the claim both men did indeed die within that time.

 

Brother Knights, I hope you found that potted history of some interest.

 

It is interesting to note that in yesterdays Hertfordshire Mercury it was reported that Jacques de Molay and the others burnt at the stake with him, have now been exonerated by the current Pope.  Too little, too late in my opinion.

 

The founders are very pleased that you could join us and take part in our celebration.  Whether you were here in an official capacity or as a guest, you have added to the splendor of this unique day.

 

On behalf of the E. Preceptor and all the founders, I thank you for joining us and ask all the Knights of the Preceptory of Jacques de Molay to rise and drink a toast to our visitors."

  

and the response from E.Kt Colin Hellyer was a perfect repost. All those present hope that the standard set that day, and the invites, continue for many years to come. Gourmet food, brilliant Toasts, fantastic atmosphere, convivial company, and most importantly, a celebration of Knights Templar – what more could we want?