Bro. G. NormanMuch of the information contained in this section has been taken from a book written by W. Bro. George Norman, (right), entitled Royal Union Lodge No.246, which is generally accepted as being the definitive history of the Lodge for the period 1813-1888.

 

Copies of this book are held in the library at the Masonic Hall, Cheltenham.

The Early Days

The Royal Union Lodge was consecrated at a ceremony held at The Kings Head Hotel, Cirencester, on the 29th July 1813, under the Antient or Atholl rite.

 


Our earliest known banner which is displayed in The Masonic Hall, Cheltenham.

In addition to its Antient Charter, (Click Here), it is the oldest Lodge consecrated in the Province. It was given the number 357 in the Register of the Antients Grand Lodge but no name, as is evident from an inspection of the Warrant.

 

A few weeks later the Lodge adopted the name Royal Union Lodge probably to commemorate the impending union of the two Grand Lodges on 27th December 1813 to form The United Grand Lodge of England.

 

Royal Union then took its rank in the United Grand Lodge as No. 461.

 

At the 'closing up' in 1832 it became No. 307, and in 1863 it was re-numbered, as at present, 246.

Family Traditions

We are justly proud of the family traditions of the Lodge.

 

Fathers followed by sons and grandsons, brothers, brothers in law, uncles and nephews, a whole gamut of permutations. Long may this continue.