Monday, May 27, 2019

Happy Memorial Day

Today, we remember our fallen heroes; those men and women who are no longer with us yet served this nation in one of the armed services. Take the time to remember all who have given up their lives in defense of this nation. God bless.

This is the first Memorial Day where someone so close to me is remembered. My father served in the US Army as an MP at Fort Wainwright, AK. After military service, he served as a Bannock County Sheriff’s Deputy before moving his family to Emmett where he served on the Emmett Police Department. In 2012, he retired from the Emmett Police Department as a Lieutenant. You embodied the creed of "To Protect and Serve."

If you say their names, they're never forgotten.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Templar Biography: Guillaume de Chartres

The next Grand Master, Guillaume de Chartres, was known as a chronicler as he created the most in-depth, codified records for the Templar order. His governance was during the Fifth Crusade and was considered a violent tenure.

The son of Milo IV, Count of Bar-sur-Seine, Guillaume de Chartres was born around 1178 in the Champagne, like several of his predecessors. While his exact age is unknown, he joined the Templars at a very young age at the Preceptory of Sours, located near Chartres; one source states that he joined at the age of 16. Little is known about his journey through the order.

He was elected as the 14th Grand Master at the beginning of 1210 and, in the same year, assisted in the coronation of Jean de Brienne as King of Jerusalem (although Saladin controlled Jerusalem since 1187). During his reign, the Templars flourished in Spain where they achieved important victories against the Moors during "Reconquista". Just as in France, lords and noblemen flocked to the Templar order and donated lands to them.

In 1217, Jean de Brienne (King of Jerusalem), Andre II (King of Hungary), and Pelage (the pontifical legate) began a campaign against Egypt which started at Damiette (NE side of the Nile Delta). Guillaume de Chartres spoke against it, but was obligated to follow. The siege of Damiette lasted 18-months and unsuccessful due to conflicts between the King of Jerusalem and the Pontifical Legate. 

In an attempt to hold off Muslim reinforcements, Guillaume de Chartres led the Templars to battle. De Chartres died in front of Damiette on August 26, 1218, not from battle, but from a plague that had spread through the armies. He was succeeded by Peter de Montaigu.

References

1. Cobbold, D. (n.d.). Guillaume de Chartres. Retrieved from Project Beauceant: http://www.templiers.org/guillaume-chartres-eng.php 

2. Grand Masters. (n.d.). Retrieved from OSMTJ: http://www.theknightstemplar.org/1942-2/ 

3. Guillaume de Chartres. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillaume_de_Chartres 

4. Moes, A. (2018, December 18). Guillaume de Chartres, 14th Templar Grand Master. Retrieved from Geni: https://www.geni.com/people/Guillaume-de-Chartres-14th-Templar-Grand-Master/6000000019310133197 

5. Muir, D. J. (2019). TEMPLARS Who were they? Where did the go? (Vol. 1). Lulu. 

6. Napier, G. (2014). Pocket A-Z of the Knights Templar: A Guide to Their History and Legacy. The History Press.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

SRICF in Idaho

Today was a banner day for the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (SRICF) in Idaho, but before I jump in with the news, let me start at the beginning. In 2014 I was approached about joining the Wyoming College of the SRICF, but, due to my internship on the East Coast, I was not initiated into the First Order until January 17th, 2016, and advanced to the Second Order on January 14th, 2018.

In September of last year, the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Idaho officially recognized the SRICF as a concordant body. With that, the pieces started falling in line for the formation of a College in Idaho. In November, Jim Herndon and I attended the Annual Meeting of the High Council of the SRICF in Louisville, KY, and we received approval for starting a Rose Circle which is a "College Under Dispensation." The Supreme Magus required that we meet and confer a Grade from the First Order, so on March 2nd of this year, the Idaho Rose Circle convened for the first time and initiated two aspirants into the First Grade of the Society and elected to extend an invitation to two Masons. 

Today, the Idaho Rose Circle convened and we conferred upon three aspirants the First and Second Grades of the Society. At the March meeting, the Fratres elected to purchase stoles for the elected officers (Celebrant, Suffragan, and the Four Ancients). They arrived in time for this meeting; they were a welcome piece of regalia to the College and the initiatic environment.

The Chief Adept then presented, on behalf of the Most Worthy Supreme Magus, the Fratres with the College's charter and we are now IDAHO COLLEGE, SRICF. This College formed due to the efforts of Frater Jim Herndon, the Chief Adept of Idaho College and Jurisprudence Chairman of the High Council of the SRICF. He invited the first Idaho Fratres into the Society and gave us guidance along the way on how to best proceed with forming a College in Idaho. The Fratres exceeded expectations and have earned this charter from the High Council. Having been chartered, the Fratres approved the By-Laws and officially elected the officers for Idaho College. I am honored to have kept the confidence of the Fratres and they elected me as the first Celebrant.

After the meeting, the Fratres listened to a paper presented by one of our Ancients. Now it's time to get back home and get ready for my cousin's wedding tonight.