Masonic Order of Athelstan

Yesterday I was initiated into Salish Court No.96 of the Masonic Order of Athelstan, an invitation-only organization within the American York Rite, in Issaquah, WA. I'd like to thank my friend and Brother Bryan who invited me to join this order. I drove up with my regular traveling companion, Paul, and settled into our hotel before heading over to the Festive Board that was held prior to the meeting in the restaurant below the Lodge room. After eating we headed up to the Lodge room where they installed the officers for the ensuing year and afterward initiated me.

The Masonic Order of Athelstan dedicates its time to the promotion of education and the study of the symbolism and history of Freemasonry. To be a member of this organization, a candidate must be a member of both Craft and Royal Arch Masonry in good standing.

The Masonic Order of Athelstan was created in 2005 after a number of individuals interested in the origins of Freemasonry started gathering and researching the Saxon Chronicles which focuses upon events that involve King Athelstan, a figure prominent in some origin theories of Freemasonry. These gatherings became a regular thing that soon the formation of a new order was discussed and encouraged. A ritual was drafted and the ritual used today surrounds the Assembly at York in 926 AD by King Athelstan. The idea became popular enough that the Order of Athelstan was able to form and constitute the "Grand Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan"

The basic organizational level of the Order is known as a Court reminding of the Court of Athelstan and the central myth of this august body. For a new Court to form there need to be 15 members to ensure a successful formation as well as the permission of the Grand Lodge of that jurisdiction. The officers of the Court are as follows:

Worshipful Master

Senior Warden

Junior Warden

Eminent Prior

Treasurer

Secretary 

Marshal

Deputy Marshal

Almoner

Senior Deacon

Junior Deacon

Captain of the Guards

Burgh 

Guard

A Court reports to the Provincial Grand Court of their respective jurisdiction who in turns reports to their respective Assistant Grand Master in charge of that region and who is a member of the Grand Court. The Provincial Grand Court can be composed of the following officers:

Provincial Grand Master 

Deputy Provincial Grand Master 

Assistant Provincial Grand Masters

Provincial Senior Grand Warden

Provincial Junior Grand Warden

Provincial Eminent Grand Prior

Provincial Grand Marshal

Provincial Grand Secretary

Provincial Grand Treasurer

Provincial Grand Almoner

Provincial Deputy Grand Marshal

Provincial Grand Sword Bearer

Provincial Senior Grand Deacon

Provincial Junior Grand Deacon

Provincial Grand Organist

Provincial Grand Banner Bearer

Provincial Grand Captain of Guard 

Provincial Grand Guard 

Provincial Grand Burgh

The Grand Court is the supreme authority of the Masonic Order of Athelstan. It is composed of the following officers:

Grand Master

Deputy Grand Master

Assistant Grand Master

Assistant Grand Masters in charge of the Americas, Australia, and India

Provincial Grand Masters

Eminent Grand Prior

Senior Grand Warden

Junior Grand Warden

President DAC and GP Committee

Grand Secretary

Grand Registrar

Grand Treasurer 

Grand Marshal 

Grand Sword Bearer

Grand Lecturer 

Grand High Almoner 

Deputy Eminent Grand Prior

Deputy President DAC and GP Committee

Deputy Grand Secretary 

Deputy Grand Marshal 

Deputy Grand Sword Bearer

Senior Grand Deacon

Junior Grand Deacon

Grand Organist

Deputy Grand Organist

Grand Banner Bearer

Deputy Grand Banner Bearer

Grand Captain of the Guard

Deputy Grand Captain of the Guard

Grand Burgh

Deputy Grand Guard

The Masonic Order of Athelstan came to the United States at AMD Week in 2011 where two Courts were established, one in North Carolina and the other in Pennsylvania. Today there are 9 Courts under the auspices of the Provincial Grand Court of the United States of America.

The Order of the Scarlet Mantle is an appendant order attached to the Masonic Order of Athelstan. It was created to reward those for their meritorious service within the Masonic Order of Athelstan. Members of the appendant order are known as "Knights" and the ritual surrounding this honor commemorates the knighting of Athelstan by King Alfred the Great, his grandfather, which occurred around 898 AD; this is the first recorded knighting in England. Upon being knighted, it has been said, Athelstan was given a scarlet mantle from which the appendant order derives its name. Those who have been knighted bear the initials "KSM" for Knight of the Scarlet Mantle, "KCSM" for Knight Commander of the Scarlet Mantle, or "GCSM" for Grand Cross of the Scarlet Mantle after their name. This appendant order is governed by an officer known as the Grand High Chancellor who is appointed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Masonic Order of Athelstan. The Grand High Chancellor is supported by a number of Grand Chancellors

It was a great night and this morning I had breakfast with some Brethren from the area. Now it's time for the nearly 500-mile drive back to Boise.

References

1. About the Order. n.d. http://www.athelstan.org.uk/. 

2. Information about The Masonic Order of Athelstan. n.d. http://www.cumbriafreemasons.org/orders.asp?ord=14. 

3. Surratt, D. Allen. Description of the Order. n.d. http://www.athelstan-usa.org/description.html. 

4. The Order of the Scarlet Mantle. n.d. http://www.athelstan.org.uk/about-the-order/the-order-of-the-scarlet-mantle.