LAYOUT OF THE CHAPEL
Pedestal
Small Table
MASTER
PRIOR
Sword
DOORKEEPER
Picture (Tower)
Kneeling Stool
Holy Bible HERALD
MARSHAL
Lectern
DEPUTY MARSHAL
Alms
Dish
Picture (The Roof)
OPENING THE CHAPEL
All the Knights are assembled in the Chapel.
Marshal Sir Knights Upstanding.
Prior Sir Knights, the Opening Hymn.
Opening hymn – see page 12.
Prior Bro. Deputy Marshal, what is the first duty of Knights of St. Thomas of Acon when in a Chapel assembled?
Dep. Mar. To see that the Doorkeeper is at his post and in communication with the Sentry.
Prior Command him to do his duty.
Dep. Mar. Bro. Doorkeeper, do your duty.
Doorkeeper draws his sword, opens the door, and takes Password from the Sentry then closes the door.
Doorkeeper keeps his sword drawn until the closing.
Doorkeeper Bro. Deputy Marshal, the Sentry is at his post and in possession of the password.
Dep. Mar. Eminent Prior, the Doorkeeper is at his post; he is in communication with the Sentry who is in possession of the password.
Prior Bro. Deputy Marshal, what is the second duty of Knights of St. Thomas of Acon?
Dep. Mar. To see that all present are members of the Order.
Prior See that they be so.
The Deputy Marshal takes the password from each Knight, proceeding clockwise (following the sun round the Chapel.) He first collects the password from the Master, then proceeds to pass in front of the Altar and Prior, to take the password from all present, finally passing in front of the Master and the Altar to communicate the word to the Prior, if any fail to give it, the Marshal and Deputy Marshal shall escort them from the Chapel.
Prior Bro. Deputy Marshal, what is the third duty of Knights of St. Thomas of Acon?
Dep. Mar. To see that the Knights are properly armed.
Prior You will examine them for that purpose.
The Deputy Marshal draws his sword and proceeds to the South West corner, turns to the east.
Dep. Mar. Sir Knights To Order.
The Knights stand at the carry. The Prior holds a closed Holy Bible, in front of him; similarly, the Almoner holds the Alms Dish, to show his Office and function. When the Deputy Marshal is satisfied that all are correctly armed, he returns to his place, facing the Prior, comes to the recover, and returns to the carry.
Dep. Mar. Eminent Prior, the Knights here assembled are all properly armed.
Prior Bro. Deputy Marshal, what is the fourth duty of Knights of St. Thomas of Acon?
Dep. Mar. To prepare their hearts and minds for constant prayer.
The Prior places the closed Bible on the Altar and lights the candles. He then uncovers but does not place his hat on the Altar.
Prior Sir Knights, let us pray
Almighty and Everlasting God, we beseech Thee to strengthen in us our belief and lively faith in Thee. Preserve us from the attacks of evil men, and so direct our spiritual and temporal powers that we may be able to use them to serve Thee. Guide us in all our understandings and inspire our hearts with wisdom so that our actions may proclaim Thy glory all the days of our life, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Omnes Amen.
Omnes Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
The Prior opens the Holy Bible at Matthew XXV verse 35, covers, and resumes his place.
Dep. Mar. Sir Knights Be seated.
Hereafter, upon being addressed, a Knight shall be named thus: Sir John of Gaunt, except where indicated in the ritual, and save only the Worthy Master, the Most Worthy Grand Master, Most Eminent Grand Prior, Right Worthy Grand Preceptor, Right Eminent Provincial Grand Prior, and the Eminent Prior who shall always be addressed as such.
If there is a Dispensation to be read for:
i) a change of date; ii) a change of venue;
iii) an emergency meeting; before the Muster Roll is called, the Prior requests the Secretary to read it thus:
‘Sir .... of .... , please read the Dispensation.’
If there is a Dispensation for any other purpose, the Master requests the Secretary to read it immediately prior to the item on the agenda to which it refers thus:
‘Sir .... of .... , please read the Dispensation.’
A Dispensation to admit more than two candidates at a meeting should be read after any ballot and before the candidates are admitted.
Sir .... of .... , please read the Muster Roll.’
The Knights remain seated until their name is called when they stand, reply, and be seated.
If there is a requiem for a deceased Knight it should be held at this point as follows on page 20.
If there is not a requiem proceed to the reading of the minutes on page 21.
REQUIEM FOR A DECEASED KNIGHT OF THE ORDER
During the Opening of the Chapel, the Secretary calls the Muster roll; he calls the name(s) of the Deceased Knight(s) last of all …. once.
The Prior Stands at his place.
Prior Sir Knights we meet to commemorate the passing into a higher life of our dear Brother Knight(s)
Sir .......... of .......... (and Sir .......... of ..........).
It is but natural that those of us who have known and loved him (them) should regret his (their) departure from amongst us; yet it is our knightly duty to think not of ourselves, but of him (them).
Sir Knights, our Ceremony has acquainted us with four of the seven Corporeal Works of Mercy (go! feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked with a garment, go! bury the dead). The First Prior of the Order, William, through his compassion, also embraced the other three (visit and relieve the sick: visit and ransom the captives: and harbour the harbourless).
Today we have the opportunity to honour him (them) who is (are) no longer with us, to pay a last tribute to departed worth and merit, and to remember by his (their) deeds, all those Corporeal Works of Mercy.
A short Eulogy to the Knight is given by the Eminent Prior and/or other knight(s).
The Prior uncovers, stands in front of the altar facing East.
Marshal Sir Knights To order.
Prior Let us pray.
Prior Almighty God, who hast Dominion over both the living and the dead and dost hold all Thy creation in the everlasting arms of Thy love, we pray for the peace and repose of our Brother Knight(s), Sir .......... of .........., that he (they) being dead unto this world, yet ever living unto Thee, may find in Thy continued and unceasing service the perfect consummation of happiness and peace.
Omnes Amen.
The Organist plays a few bars of suitable music.
Prior Requiem aeternam dona ei (eis), Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei (eis).
or
Give him (them) eternal rest, O Lord, and let everlasting light shine upon him (them).
Omnes Amen.
The Prior covers and returns to his place.
Marshal Sir Knights Be seated.
Prior Sir .... of ...., please read the minutes of our last meeting.
Prior Sir Knights, you have heard the record of our last meeting. If you deem it correct, remain silent.
If any Knight wishes a correction, he must rise and address the Prior.
The Deputy Marshal takes the Minute Book to the Prior for signing. From this point the Chapel, and all business thereof, is under the direction of the Worthy Master. Historically it is not known when the Master took precedence over the Prior other than that the custom was established by the time the Order settled in Ironmonger Lane.
The Agenda continues…
1. In accordance with the Regulations, only two candidates may be admitted without the need for a dispensation.
2. When there are two candidates, each must proceed individually through the ceremony; viz.: the tests, the challenge and the Obligation: after the second candidate has completed the tests, the challenge and the Obligation, the Eminent Prior reads the passage from St. Matthew once. From this point both candidates proceed through the ceremony as directed by the Marshal.
3. Providing that a Dispensation has been obtained for three candidates to be admitted at a meeting, and where there are three candidates at a meeting, each candidate should proceed individually through the tests, the challenge, and the Obligation. After the third candidate has taken his Obligation, the Eminent Prior reads the passage from Matthew once to all three candidates. A representative candidate is then used for the remainder of the ceremony with the other candidates observing and participating as directed by the Marshal and/or as directed in the Ritual.
4. Providing that a Dispensation has been obtained, to admit more than three candidates at a meeting, and where there are four or more candidates at a meeting, a representative candidate will take the ceremony on behalf of all other candidates. The “special instructions” for more than three candidates already have their own instruction section. The representative candidate takes the tests, the challenge and then, with the other candidates assisting in formation behind him, by placing the “left hand on the left shoulder, right hand on the heart”, he takes the Obligation with the other candidates repeating the Obligation at the same time. After the Obligation, the Eminent Prior reads the passage to all the candidates at once. Thereafter the representative candidate continues the ceremony with the other candidates observing and participating as directed by the Marshal and/or as directed in the Ritual.
5. General Note: Whether there is one candidate or more, each must individually kneel and be knighted, and individually proclaimed. The responsibility for organising the orderly flow of candidates to the Worthy Master, rests with the Marshal and Deputy Marshal as set out in the Ritual.
SPECIAL PROCEDURES WHEN THERE ARE MORE THAN THREE CANDIDATES
1 If there are more than three candidates for Admission into the Order at a meeting a representative candidate must be chosen to proceed through the entire ceremony.
2 All the candidates assemble in the Antechamber wearing their K.T. tunics, mantles, hats, belts and swords, but no gloves, jewels or sashes. Every candidate must pay a fee comprising a silver coin, which must be placed in the Scrip Purse.
The candidates must not be informed that they will have to remove their mantles until the appropriate point in the ceremony is reached.
3 The Sentry will: Collect from each of the candidates a silver coin and ensure that they are all placed in the Scrip Purse.
Conduct the representative candidate out of the Antechamber to prepare him.
Give the Representative a scrip purse, with some bread in it, a bottle of water, and tell him to put them on under his mantle.
Tell the Representative to place a silver coin in the purse. Say to the Representative.
You have: some bread in the purse. a flask of water. a mantle to keep you warm. a strong right arm.
You have to pass a number of tests to prove that you are worthy of being admitted to the Chapel and you will receive no assistance whilst taking them but must “do what seemeth thee good”.
4 Meanwhile the Secretary (only) goes into the Antechamber.
Under no circumstances may the Marshal or any other Officer go into the Antechamber.
The Secretary says to the other candidates. Normally each candidate has to pass a series of tests to prove that he is worthy of admission into the Order, these tests only take a few minutes.
In view of the number of candidates on this occasion the Most-Worthy Grand Master has given permission for a representative candidate to take the tests on your behalf.
If the representative candidate passes the tests, you will all be admitted, otherwise none of you will.
Please observe this procedure closely and silently as it has a bearing on the Ceremony which follows in the Chapel.
On no account should you give advice or assistance to the representative candidate.
The Secretary then requests them to move to one side of the Antechamber.
5 The four Working Knights process into the Antechamber, where the tests will be conducted, and take up their positions about two to three yards apart along the opposite side of the room to the candidates.
6 The Secretary then informs the Sentry that all is ready.
7 The Sentry conducts the representative candidate into the Antechamber and leads him to the 1st Working Knight.
8 Immediately after the candidate has passed the third test, the Secretary instructs all the other candidates – except the Representative – to remove their mantles and carry them over their left arm.
9 When the representative candidate has passed the fourth test, the Secretary instructs all the candidates, except the representative, to proceed into the Chapel and be seated. The Secretary also proceeds to his place in the Chapel.
10 When all the other candidates are seated the Marshal informs the Sentry.
11 The Sentry instructs the representative candidate to enter the Chapel. The ceremony then proceeds as normal.
12 The candidates should not put on any Insignia of the Order until after the representative candidate has been invested.
ADMISSION OF A CANDIDATE
The candidate wears his K.T. regalia, mantle, tunic, hat with sword and belt, but without gloves, jewels or sash.
The Sentry instructs him to place their white gloves into his/their pockets.
The Sentry hands him a scrip purse with some bread in it, and a bottle of water and tells him to put them under his mantle.
He tells the candidate to place a silver coin, as his fee, in the scrip purse.
Master The four Working Knights will now retire.
The 3rd Working Knight leaves his mantle on his seat and the four Working Knights then retire.
Master Any Knight who would care to witness the passing of the Tests, may now retire to do so.
The four Working Knights take up their positions in the Antechamber for the tests with sufficient space to do their duties individually.
Upon entering the Antechamber, the candidate sees Working Knights 1, 2 and 3 standing, wiping their foreheads, and making other signs of fatigue, whilst 4th Working Knight is trying lift the c.......... They speak one at a time.
The candidate advances to the 1st Working Knight.
1st W.Kt. I am so hungry.
He repeats this utterance until the candidate offers bread. The other three Working Knights maintain silence. After the candidate has fed the 1st Working Knight, the 1st Working Knight goes into the Chapel directly to his seat in the West and sits.
The candidate then advances to the 2nd Working Knight.
2nd W.Kt. I am so thirsty.
He repeats this utterance until the candidate offers water. The other two Working Knights maintain silence. After the candidate has refreshed the 2nd Working Knight, the 2nd Working Knight goes into the Chapel directly to his seat in the West and sits.
The candidate then advances to the 3rd Working Knight.
3rd W.Kt. I am so cold.
He repeats this utterance until the candidate offers his mantle. The 4th Working Knight maintains silence. After the candidate has clothed the 3rd Working Knight, the 3rd Working Knight goes into the Chapel directly to his seat in the West and sits. He continues to wear the candidate’s mantle.
The candidate then advances to the 4th Working Knight.
4th W.Kt. I am so tired.
He repeats this utterance until the candidate helps to lift the c.......... After the candidate has assisted the 4th Working Knight, the 4th Working Knight goes into the Chapel directly to his seat in the West and sits.
All Knights having retired to witness the passing of the tests now return to their seats in the Chapel.
The Sentry and candidate are left alone outside the door, which remains ajar but guarded inside by the Doorkeeper, who now stands in the doorway.
Sentry Are you going in?
Candidate ???
Sentry (If the candidate hesitates) You have done good works, why hesitate, why not go in?
As the candidate enters, he is addressed by the Doorkeeper.
Doorkeeper I see you are a Knight of the Temple. Give me the sign and word of a Crusader. (Done)
The Doorkeeper directs the candidate to the centre of the Chapel.
Dep. Mar. An intruder! An intruder!
All Knights stand to Order at their places.
Marshal Guard the Chapel!
The Working Knights and nominated Knights remain at their place facing the intruder and pointing their swords towards him. All other Knights remain at the carry.
Marshal Sir Knights, advance and repel the intruder.
Keeping in step with the Marshal, the Working Knights and nominated Knights advance slowly so as to give the candidate time to act and, if he does not draw his sword, to surround him.
Marshal (If the candidate does not draw his sword) Here is a stubborn Knight to oppose us.
or (If the candidate does draw his sword) Here is a brave Knight to join us.
Marshal Sir Knights, halt! Carry swords. To your places, march.
The Four Working Knights remain standing behind the candidate. Nominated Knights return to their places.
Marshal To candidate (If candidate has drawn sword) Return your sword. Follow me.
As the Marshal leads the candidate to the kneeling stool, Working Knights 1, 2, 3 and 4 follow closely behind, keeping their swords at the carry.
When the candidate reaches the Altar, the 1st Working Knight strikes him with the edge of his left hand, on the left arm just below the shoulder; after a slight pause the 2nd Working Knight strikes him with the edge of his left hand on the right arm just below the shoulder; after another slight pause, the 3rd Working Knight strikes him with the edge of his left hand, on the back of the knee.
3rd W.Kt. (whispers to the Candidate) Kneel on both knees.
(Note: The kneeling stool is situated away from the Altar so that the Prior can stand before the candidate – see page 15).
After another slight pause, the 4th Working Knight then strikes him with the left hand on the back of the head (so that the blows are given in the form of a cross).
If there are more than three candidates, the other candidates are instructed to rise and form up in lines behind the representative candidate with one hand on the shoulder of the Brother in front.
Each candidate must separately repeat his own name; then all the candidates jointly repeat the Oath of the Order.
The Working Knights about turn and return to their places.
The Prior moves in front of the candidate holding his small Holy Bible.
Prior Place both hands on the Holy Bible. In this impressive posture you will take the oath of a Knight of St. Thomas of Acon. Repeat your several names at length and say after me:
“I ………. swear by the ever-living God | to keep secret from all persons whomsoever, | the manner of my reception | into the Order of St. Thomas of Acon, | and the mode of recognition | used by my brother Knights, | unless in a Chapel of the Order | lawfully assembled for that purpose.
Furthermore, I will consider | all charitable claims made upon me | by any persons whomsoever | and will assist them | when in my opinion | they are worthy, | and I am able to assist.
All this I swear by my ‘halidom’, | under a penalty no less than that | of being struck down as was St. Thomas | and being forever deprived | of the confraternity of this Order”.
Prior You will seal this Oath with your lips four times on the New Testament.
Every candidate must individually seal the Oath four times on the New Testament.
Prior Reads from St. Matthew Chapter XXV vs.34-40, using his small Holy Bible.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an-hungered, and ye gave meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an-hungered and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Marshal Sir Knights Be seated.
The other candidates resume their seats.
Marshal (to candidate)
Rise and follow me.
They proceed to the Treasurer.
Marshal Sir ……… of ………, Worthy Treasurer, this Knight has taken the Oath of our Order, and I present him to you.
Treasurer What fee does he bring?
Marshal The fee of a Knight of our Order.
Treasurer Give it to me.
The candidate hands the bag of coin(s) to the Treasurer, who counts and checks to see that all the coins are of silver. Satisfied, he nods to the Marshal). The scrip purse is left on the Treasurer’s table, together with the water bottle.
They proceed to the Almoner.
Marshal Sir ……… of ………, Worthy Almoner, this Knight has taken the Oath of our Order and has paid the fee of a Knight of St. Thomas. Will you prove his worthiness?
Almoner Are you prepared to collect alms in the cause of knightly charity?
Candidate I am.
Almoner Then you will take this alms dish and collect what alms you may from the Knights here assembled and return to me.
The Marshal stands aside.
Marshal Sir Knights Upstanding.
The representative candidate will only collect Alms from the existing members of the Order, not from any other candidates, each of whom has already paid a silver coin as his ‘Fee’ in the Antechamber. These fees form part of the Alms Collection.
The candidate proceeds alone around the Chapel. Returning to the Almoner, he hands him the dish.
The Almoner takes the Alms dish to the Prior.
The Prior takes the Alms dish and offers it to the Altar. The Prior returns the Alms dish to the Almoner who takes it to the Treasurer.
The Almoner then returns to his seat.
Marshal Sir Knights Be seated.
Marshal (to candidate)
Come with me.
They go to Working Knights 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Marshal Brother Knights, this Knight has taken the Oath of our Order; he has paid the fee of a Knight of St. Thomas; and has collected knightly charity. Have you ought to say in his favour?
1st W.Kt. I was hungry and he gave me bread.
2nd W.Kt. I was thirsty and he gave me water.
3rd W.Kt. I was cold and he gave me his mantle.
4th W.Kt. I was weary and he gave me help.
Marshal (to candidate)
Come with me.
They proceed to the kneeling stool.
Marshal Eminent Prior, this Knight has taken the Oath of our Order: he has paid the fee of a Knight of St. Thomas; he has collected knightly alms; he has given bread, water, and raiment to those in need, and has helped the weary in his labours. He now comes to do homage that he may be received into this Order.
Prior Stands at his place. Is it your earnest desire to unite with us in the Lord’s Oath, to live in brotherly love, and to serve all men, without fear or favour, as did our blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Candidate It is.
The Deputy Marshal takes the candidate’s sword and places it on the Altar.
Marshal (quietly) Please remove your hat and give it to me. (If there is more than one candidate, the Marshal must instruct them all to come forward, remove their hats, and for each to hold them in their left hand.)
Prior You will kneel before the Altar.
Marshal Sir Knights To order.
Prior You will now recite Our Lord’s Prayer.
(If there is more than one candidate, the Prior instructs them all to recite the Lord’s Prayer.)
All Knights assume the attitude of prayer.
Candidate Recites the Lord’s Prayer.
Prior Sir Knights, let us implore a Blessing on this candidate for our Order.
Turns to face the Altar and uncovers.
If there is more than one candidate, the Prior must say all nouns in the plural, viz., “Let us implore a Blessing on these candidates for our Order”.
(For this purpose, ideally, they should all kneel, but this may not be practical).
Prior O Almighty God, look down, we beseech Thee, on this assembly, and impart Thy Holy grace on him (them) who kneels (kneel) before Thee; that he (they) may, with firm resolve, serve Thee through all dangers and difficulties to Thine honour and glory, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Omnes Amen.
The candidate remains kneeling. The Knights recover to Order.
Prior Covers and returns to his place.
Worthy Master, this worthy Christian Knight has come to do homage that he may be received into our Order. Is it your pleasure to receive and reward him?
Master He is indeed a very worthy Christian Knight. I will receive his homage with pleasure and will reward him as far as in my knightly power lies.
The Master removes his gloves and moves in front of the candidate.
Master (to candidate)
Place your hands between mine and say after me:
“I pledge my homage, | to the Prior and the Master | of this Chapel of St. Thomas of Acon, | and will obey them in all things whatsoever, | those things being consistent with the laws of God, | of man and of reason”.
If there are more than three candidates, the candidates should all take the pledge together, the other candidates standing with the right hand on the shoulder of the candidate in front.
If there are a large number of candidates, after taking the pledge they may be seated until they are individually called upon to be dubbed and proclaimed. As each candidate approaches to be dubbed, he should be quietly requested to hand his mantle to the Third Working Knight, and then to present his sword to the Deputy Marshal, who retains it until the candidate is kneeling, and presents it to the Master.
Master I dub you a Knight of St. Thomas of Acon, and declare you to be a Brother amongst us.
Be loyal (left shoulder), brave (right shoulder) and true (head).
Arise Sir ……… of ………, please replace your cap, (pausing to allow him to receive it from the Marshal and do so) and receive your sword.
(The Deputy Marshal whispers “sheath it”)
The 3rd Working Knight returns sword comes forward and places the candidate’s own mantle upon him.
The 3rd Working Knight draws his sword and returns to his place.
(If there is more than one candidate he does not retire at this point; instead, he takes the mantle from each candidate before he kneels and holds it until the candidate has sheathed his sword, before placing it on his shoulders. When he has placed the mantle on the shoulders of the last candidate he returns to his place.)
The 3rd Working Knight puts on his own mantle.
The Worthy Master returns to his place.
Master Sir ……. of ……., our Worthy Herald, you will present our new Comrade-in-Arms to the Brethren.
Each candidate must be presented and saluted individually and separately.
Herald (Moves to stand north of candidate, instructs him to face west.)
Sir Knights, I present to you our new Comrade-inArms, Sir ……. of ……., and I call upon you to salute him.
The Knights raise their sword arms upwards at full length, flourish their blades and shout: “Sir……. of ……. ” Every candidate in turn must be proclaimed by the Herald. If there is more than one candidate, the Deputy Marshal conducts each of the new Knights, except the Representative, back to his seat immediately after they have been saluted. Any elderly or frail candidates should be instructed to sit rather than remain standing if there is a large number of new Knights.
The Herald returns to his place.
Marshal Sir Knights Be seated.
The Deputy Marshal places a seat centrally in front of the Working Knights, facing west, and returns to his place.
Marshal (to candidate)
Come with me.
Takes him to the seat in front of the Working Knights.
Marshal Sir Knights, be pleased to instruct our new Comradein-Arms in the history of our Order.
The Marshal whispers to the candidate “sit” and returns to his place.
The 4th Working Knight waits until the candidate is seated before he stands and reads the history.
(Note: A lectern may be placed behind the Working Knights facing East from which the readings may be given – see page 15).
4th W.Kt. (stands)
Near the end of the eleventh century, in the city of London there lived a young mercer, one Gilbert Becket, who decided to undertake a perilous journey into foreign parts in order to increase his wealth. This he set out to do with what appeared to be disastrous results, for the ship in which he sailed was captured by Saracens, and Gilbert found himself to be a slave in the home of a heathen Moor. There the enslaved Gilbert toiled, yet his fair hair, his blue eyes and generous smile speedily won the heart of his Master’s daughter. The damsel became enamoured of Gilbert, and after some fifteen months, she arranged for his escape, and he returned to his home in Ironmonger Lane. Such was the tale that Gilbert Becket told on his return, and all the Mercery and Ironmongery were full of wagging tongues and doubtful thoughts until the seven days’ wonder of his adventures died down. It may have well died altogether had it not been for the arrival in London of a foreign lady with scarce a word of English on her lips save “London” and “Gilbert”. She was taken to the house of Gilbert Becket who took her in. As you may surmise, she was the daughter of the Moor who had enslaved him and had followed Gilbert to London. Very quickly she became a Christian and took the name of Matilda, thereafter, marrying him.
Gilbert subsequently became the last Portreeve of the City before the introduction of Sheriffs and Lord Mayors.
3rd W.Kt. (stands)
Of their several children, one, Thomas, entered the Church and became secretary to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was brilliant in his work and was appointed Chancellor to King Henry II. The King and Thomas worked as a team for the good of the kingdom and when the Archbishop of Canterbury died, Henry nominated Becket to the Archbishopric, assuring himself that Becket was his right-hand man. But such was not the case, for no sooner was Becket on his Episcopal throne than he took up with all vigour the side of the Church against the King, who issued in A.D. 1164 his famous Constitution of Clarendon. Their main dispute was that the Church claimed exclusive jurisdiction over any person who belonged to the ranks of the clergy, including what was practically the lay fringe of that body, and inflicted on them penalties which, from the lay point of view were grotesquely inadequate. The King could not tolerate this and a fierce quarrel arose between him and Becket. Becket fled to the Continent and stayed there for six years. Then in A.D. 1170 the King and Becket seemed to be reconciled and the Archbishop returned to England.
Now during the time that Becket had been away, the King had had his eldest son crowned as his successor by the Archbishop of York. This action was bitterly resented by Becket as an infringement of his See. Upon his return to England, he foolishly excommunicated all the clergy who had taken part in the crowning of the young prince. These Clergy went to France and appealed to the King. Then came that well known burst of anger when Henry was reported to have said: “Who will deliver me from this low-born priest?”
3rd W.Kt. Four Knights left the Council Chamber, hurried to the (Continues)… coast, took ship for England and went straight to Canterbury.
There, on the 29th day of December 1170, they found the Archbishop in the Cathedral just at the time of Vespers, and there and then slew him before the Altar. The nation was shocked at the crime and almost overnight, Becket became regarded as a saint.
The 2nd Working Knight stands and points to the picture of the Acon Church which is adjacent to his seat. 2nd W.Kt. You will have observed this and similar pictures during your journey round this Chapel. These show the remains of an early church of the Order which was founded as follows:
The Third Crusade began in A.D. 1189, and on 8th June 1191, Richard Coeur de Lion with his forces arrived before the seaport of Acre which had been besieged for two years by other Christian princes. Richard captured the city in five weeks.
Among the English was one William, the Chaplain to the Dean of St. Paul’s who, when he saw the corpses of the Christians about the walls of Acre, had compassion on them. With the aid of a small band of helpers he buried a large number of dead and tended the wounded.
This successful act gave William confidence, and he formed an Order for the express purpose of burying Christians who fell in the Holy Land. To this first purpose he added a second, which was the ransoming of Christians taken captive by the Saracens. Back in England, by this time the relics of St. Thomas were said to be working miracles, and the Saint was very popular with the people. Be it remembered that William the Chaplain was a Londoner, and we can see how he came to name his Order after St. Thomas of Canterbury.
The Order being formed at Acre, its name was always incorporated in the title, the Anglicised form of Acre being Acon. William’s Order at Acre was so successful that he was able to build a church with a churchyard, which he dedicated to St. Thomas, calling himself Prior of the Order.
2nd W.Kt. Upon hearing that an Order had been formed for (Continues)… charitable purposes and named after their relative, the family of Becket gave Gilbert’s old home in Ironmonger Lane to the Order of St. Thomas of Acon for the purpose of building a church in his memory. Richard Coeur de Lion saw that the Order required protection, and commanded or sanctioned that it should contain a number of Knights. Thus, the Order became a Chivalry with a Prior, and as such took part in the fighting. Of this, all Englishmen should be humbly but justly proud, for of all the five noble Orders of Knights, viz. the Poor Knights of the Temple, the Knights of the Hospital of St. John, the Teutonic Knights of the Hospital of St. Mary, the Knights of the Hospital of St. Lazarus, and of St. Thomas, this was the only one with an English foundation. The Order was always few in numbers. Perhaps the idea of burying the dead did not appeal to the gentlemen of the day, or the greater probability, that they were overshadowed by the other great Orders, prevented many from joining their ranks. However, from the time of its foundation until the loss of the Holy Land, its members took a gallant part in the very heavy fighting not only against the Turks, but alas also against their fellow Christians. When the Holy Land was lost beyond all hope of recapture, the Teutonic Knights returned to Germany and carried on their activities against the heathen Poles. The other four Orders went to Cyprus, where they remained until the Turks invaded and defeated them. But it is of the greatest interest to us that upon its capture, the only Christian church that was allowed to ring its bells was the church of St. Nicholas Anglicorum, being the church of our Order. That building is still standing, but today it is used for secular purposes.
2nd W.Kt. The four pictures you have observed in this Chapel are (Continues)… photographs of these ruins, and they may be considered equivalent to the tracing boards in a Masonic Lodge.
1st W.Kt. (stands)
Small though it was, the Order flourished and became of particular importance in the City of London; for it was ordered by the Mayor and Commonality in 1338 that the wickets of the City were not to be opened until the sixth hour sounded at the church of St. Thomas. Moreover, the Mayor on his Installation always began that great day by attending Mass in the Church of St. Thomas, afterwards proceeding with the members of his Company to St. Paul’s Cathedral where a further service was held, and the new Mayor shown to the people who acclaimed him with a great shout. He and his fellows then returned to Guildhall where a banquet was prepared at his cost.
It would appear that, at some time, the Prior lost his leading position, for in 1279 we first hear mention of the Master of the whole Order of St. Thomas of Acon. The Church of St. Thomas in the City of London has been described as a stately edifice. In it the Livery Companies of London held many of their meetings and dispensed their charity for nearly four hundred years. In it, too, they were buried and held it in awed remembrance by their many successors. The last recorded admission to our Order before the present recension was that of Sir Richard de Tykehill, a chaplain from York, who on the 2nd of February 1367 assumed the habit of the Order from the hands of Brother Hugh de Courteys. However surviving records are sparse, and we can be certain that the Order continued, for it was one of those dissolved by Henry VIII. As with many monasteries, King Henry VIII offered the Church of St. Thomas for sale.
1st W.Kt. In memory of the illustrious Thomas, and the (Continues)… association of his father, Gilbert, with their trade, the Worshipful Company of Mercers purchased it. The original buildings were destroyed in the Great Fire of London and now all that remains today to remind us of that building is the recumbent statue of Christ, which lies at the entrance of the new Mercers’ Chapel. As no doubt you are well-aware, many ceremonies which you have enjoyed are matter of pure conjecture in regard to their origin. This Order is, however, based on historical facts in every part thereof, as may be confirmed by you through an examination of various documents and records dating back to the 13th century held in the library of the City of London in the Guildhall.
The Marshal takes the candidate to stand before the Master.
The Deputy Marshal removes the candidate’s seat, collects regalia (shells etc) and follows candidate.
The investiture involves the Shells only and symbolically onto the clothing worn by the candidate upon admission and referring to that worn by the Master.
The candidate(s) are not invested with a Mantle or Tunic of the Order.
Master The mantle and the tunic of the Order should be white, the colour of innocence, with a red cross superimposed by a white cross, charged at Fesse point, with an escallop. I now (symbolically) invest you with that badge, the escallop shell, which I place upon the midpoint of the cross on your tunic. The Mantle should bear on the left breast a Greek Cross of red with a white cross superimposed, bearing a smaller escallop shell at Fesse point. You will also wear an Escallop shell as a badge on your cap.
This badge is of bronze, the metal of humility, and will always remind you that the perfect Knight is always humble. Provincial Officers wear silver badges, and Grand Officers wear gold badges. Before taking your obligation, you received four blows to the left shoulder, right shoulder, leg, and head. You will have noticed that they were given in the form of a cross. They serve to remind you of the four blows Thomas received from the four Knights who travelled to Canterbury and assassinated him.
The sign of the Order is / / / / made with the right hand, to remind you of your Oath. This sign must be given when you address the Worthy Master or Eminent Prior. The password is A…., answered by Acon. The word is T…. .
The Deputy Marshal collects the warrant.
Master This is our Warrant or Charter from the Grand Master’s Council of the Order, which is open for your inspection at this, or at any other, meeting of the Chapel.
Finally, I am also pleased to hand you the Constitutions of the Order, a copy of the Provincial By-Laws, a copy of the By-Laws of this, the ……… Chapel, and a copy of the Ritual of the Order.
After the Master has handed the Representative candidate the Constitutions of the Order, a copy of the Provincial By-Laws, the By-Laws of the Chapel, and the Ritual of the Order. He then presents similarly to the other candidates.
Master You may now take your seat in the Chapel.
The Marshal conducts him to a seat.
END OF ADMISSION CEREMONY
INSTALLATION OF WORTHY MASTER
The Marshal removes the Installation candle from the Almoner’s table and places it on the Altar, to the front and to the right of (thereby not obscuring) the Cross. The Prior then lights it. (See page 14.)
Installing We will now take the election of a Worthy Master, Master for the ensuing year, Brother Secretary.
Secretary Worthy Master, none of the Knights is willing to be considered for this office.
Installing In accordance with custom, I have the pleasure to Master announce that our Eminent Prior, (or Sir ....... of …….,) will be our Worthy Master for the ensuing year.
Prior I am not worthy of so high an office, and I beg my or named Kt. brother Knights to reconsider the matter.
He proceeds to sit on a chair near the door.
Installing Sir Knights, Sir ……. of ……. humbly asks us to Master reconsider his election to the Chair. Is it your wish that his election be confirmed?
All Knights We will it.
The Master Elect should now be wearing his sword and scabbard: (i.e. if he was the Prior or Almoner, he should have previously put them near the door for that purpose).
Installing The Marshal assisted by his Deputy will escort Master Sir .... of .... to the Altar.
The Incoming Master makes an attempt to leave the Chapel but is delayed by the closed door and the Doorkeeper. Before he can unlock it, he is seized by the Marshal and the Deputy Marshal who take him by the arms and purposefully bring him to the Altar.
Installing (stands)
Master You are the Master!
He puts down his baton but remains at his place.
Marshal Sir Knights ---- To order.
The incoming Master’s sword is placed on the Altar, hilt to the south by the Marshal.
If the Master Elect is wearing gloves, he removes them. The Marshal returns to his place at the side of the Master Elect.
The Deputy Marshal then removes his gloves and collects a small Bible opened at Matthew XXV, 35 from the Prior’s table, and stands to south of Master Elect, supporting the open Bible.
Installing (still at his place)
Master You will kneel on both knees, place your right hand on the Holy Bible, He moves to the Altar to pick up the Sword and with your left hand hold this sword (taken from the Altar by Installing Master), hilt uppermost, to your lips. I will recite the Oath of Master to which you will signify your assent:
“I promise on my knightly honour | to maintain and uphold, | as far in my power lies, | this Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon, | and rule this Chapel according to its laws. |
I further promise obedience | to the Grand Master of the Order, | and to exercise mercy | when justice will permit.”
You will repeat after me, “All this I promise, | God being my help. | Amen”.
Installing As tokens of your assent, you will salute the cross of the Master sword four times.
The Master Elect does so.
The Installing Master takes the sword from the new Master and replaces on the Altar. And the Holy Bible four times.
Master Elect does so.
The Deputy Marshal returns the Bible to the Prior’s table, proceeds back to his place in the Chapel, and replaces his gloves.
Rise duly obligated Worthy Master.
The New Master puts on his gloves.
The Installing Master picks up the sword from the Altar. Receive your sword and sheath it.
The Installing Master gives the sword to the new Master who sheaths it.
Installing I now communicate to you the word of a Worthy Master Master, which is B…… (whispered in his ear)
(Leading the candidate by both hands)
I now place you in the Chair of Master of this Chapel of the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon and surrender to you this baton.
Worthy Master, you will now invest the Immediate Past Master.
Worthy It gives me great pleasure to invest you with the jewel of Master a Past Master, which is a Canterbury Cross. May you wear it for many years.
From the manner in which you have conducted the affairs of this Chapel during your incumbency, I am satisfied that you will be able to offer me every assistance should I so desire it.
Marshal Sir Knights, you will salute your new Worthy Master with four, taking your time with me.
A…., A…., A…., A…. (Done)
Marshal Sir Knights Be seated.
The Worthy Master stands to receive the Warrant.
Installing I now present you with the Warrant of the Chapel, Master which is the authority by which we act. Since time immemorial, it has passed unsullied through the keeping of many Worthy Knights and will, I trust, be handed to your successor in the same pristine condition that you now receive it. I now present to you the Constitutions of this Commemorative Order, the ByLaws of the Province and the By-Laws of this Chapel. The Worthy Master sits.
Installing You will now conduct the election of the Treasurer after Master which you will appoint your Officers.
Secretary Worthy Master, I wish to propose Sir .... of .... , be elected Treasurer.
This proposition must be seconded by a member of the Chapel.
Master Worthy Knights, you have heard that proposition duly seconded. All those in favour remain silent.
Then I declare the motion carried, and I hereby declare Sir .... of .... elected Treasurer.
Marshal Worthy Master, whom do you appoint Prior?
Master Sir .... of ....
The new Prior rises, removes his belt and sword, if worn, and gloves and hands them to the Deputy Marshal, who takes them back to his place and remains there.
The Marshal escorts the named Prior to the kneeling stool in front of the Altar.
Master Sir .... of .... , as Eminent Prior of this Chapel you take upon yourself certain duties and responsibilities, of which you should ever try to be mindful.
Remember that as Eminent Prior you are the Servant of God, so that your best, and only your best, are offered to Him.
When performing your ceremonial duties, let your thoughts be of devotion and reverence, as you are responsible for the spiritual welfare of all the members in your Chapel.
Will you strive to show forth in your thoughts, your words and your works, the power of Almighty God, which is within you?
Prior Nom. I will.
Master Will you strive earnestly to fulfil the office to which you have been appointed?
Prior Nom. I will.
Master Then you will kneel on both knees.
Marshal Sir Knights To order.
The Master places his right hand on the left shoulder of the Prior Nominate.
Master By the power vested in me, I confer on thee the office of Prior of the Chapel. Rise.
The Master hands the new Prior into his seat, instructs him to sit and returns to his place and sits.
Marshal Sir Knights Be seated.
Then follows the Investiture of the Marshal, the elected Treasurer, the Secretary, the Deputy Marshal, the Almoner, the Working Knights Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4, the Herald, the Organist, the Doorkeeper, the Cellarers and the Sentry.
When the new Almoner is announced, he rises, removes his belt and sword and hands them to the Deputy Marshal, who places them behind the Almoner’s table.
If the retiring Almoner is not appointed to higher office he waits until the new Almoner has been invested and taken his place in the Chapel, before being conducted to another seat by the Deputy Marshal.
The objective is to conduct a ceremony without interruption.
The Deputy Marshal can deal with the business of putting on and discarding swords, escorting the Officers etc, whilst the Marshal deals with the investiture.
The Deputy Marshal conducts the Officers to and from the Master.
No movement should take place whilst the Master is investing an Officer.
Installing In the year A.D. 1510, no one could be found Master prepared to accept the office of Master, although every Knight was asked in turn from the oldest to the youngest. In desperation a deputation was sent to the Dean of St. Paul’s – he being Patron of the Order –requesting him to select a Master and pledging themselves to abide by his choice.
Whereupon, on Monday 16th September in that year, the Dean assembled the Knights in Chapel and announced that the Vicar of Honey Lane Market would be their Master. The Vicar, a very humble Knight, had seated himself at the lowliest position in the Chapel. He was so alarmed at this announcement that he would have fled had not the Marshal and his Deputy seized him before he could open the heavy door and dragged him before the Dean who told him: “YOU ARE THE MASTER”.
This incident, recorded by the Dean’s scribe, is preserved in the Archives of Guildhall Library. It reminds us of that great lesson on humility, as reported by St. Luke, where Our Lord told his disciples: “When thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher. For he that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Marshal Worthy Master, that completes the appointment and investiture of the Officers, and the ceremony of your Installation.
The Prior extinguishes the Installation candle, and the Marshall replaces it on the Almoner’s table.
