Royal Ark Mariner

The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariner

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HRH Grand Master 300The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariner, more commonly known as RAM, has been under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons since 1871 and governed by the Grand Master's Royal Ark Council. However, its early history is obscure. Statutes refer to Grand Lodge being reconstituted in 1772. It is recorded that the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons took possession of the rights to the Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner on 10 June 1884 for just £25.

Lodges are attached, or moored, to Mark Lodges assuming their Number in the Roll and to be a member the Candidate has to have been advanced as a Mark Master Mason. There the similarity ends. In chronological terms it precedes the Mark by hundreds of years because it relates to the building and voyage of Noah's Ark and the Great Flood and has none of the other characters that we meet in Freemasonry.

There are no individual Ranks within either Province or Grand Lodge. Brethren holding those Ranks suffix their name with Royal Ark Mariner Provincial Grand Rank or Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank. The Grand Master of the Mark is, ipso facto, the Grand Master of the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner.

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The Lewis Lodge No.391 of Royal Ark Mariners celebrated its centenary in Lewes, Sussex on Tuesday 24 September.

Lewes is a Saxon town built where a track along the Downs crosses the River Ouse; an important site where the Normans built a castle and a priory. The town boasts what many claim to be the oldest surviving purpose built Masonic Hall to have remained in continuous use in England, having been built in 1869.

It was to this delightful building that members and guests of Lewis Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners flocked to celebrate 100 years of the Lodge. They welcomed the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, John Prizeman and the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Martin Wilson.

The Temple was filled to capacity and all enjoyed a similarly packed agenda which included the Installation of W.Bro. Chris Farrow, A.Prov.G.M., as Worshipful Commander, propositions of Candidates, a presentation of a Grand Lodge Certificate, a presentation of the Lodge’s MBF Grand Patron Gold collarette and of course the celebration of the Centenary, during which the Brethren were enthralled and entertained by a précis of the Lodge History from W.Bro. Rod Barker, RAMGR.

Afterwards, with no dining facilities in the hall itself, the brethren meandered merrily down the ancient Hight Street to the John Harvey Tavern where they dined in typical Royal Ark Mariner conviviality. One could easily see what has kept this Lodge going for a century and, if this evening was anything to go by, there’s a good chance a similar event might take place in another hundred years’ time.

Rulers

M.W.Bro. His Royal Highness
Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO
Grand Master

M.W.Bro. John H. Prizeman
Pro Grand Master

R.W.Bro. Francis C. Spencer
Deputy Grand Master

R.W.Bro. Prof Denovan K. Wilson
Assistant Grand Master

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