The Queen s Casket

The lodge met in Robertson’s Arms Tavern own by Donald Robertson in 85 Trongate (Glasgow) opposite the Tron Steeple. The building is no longer there although the Tron remains.

It is clear from this image that the lodge met in an affluent area with the Exchange (Tontine Hotel) just meeting to the right of the lodge. In previous years, this pavement was guarded and only merchants were allowed to walk it.

In 1843, a couple of the masonic newspapers at the time reported that the retiring master, Bro. John Brown, was presented with a jewel for his services as master. Perhaps the lodge was very affluent then as in comparison, 242 did not present its first so called past master jewel until early 20th century.

In 1967, Queen Elizabeth II presented UGLE Museum with a casket given to HRH The Prince of Wales, Grand Master in England and later King Edward VII by the masons of Bengal to commemorate his visit to Calcutta.

It is embellished by gold Craft and Royal Arch symbols. They are: the Skerrit, pencil & compasses on the left, the VSL on the right. In the centre, there are the square & compasses and the hexalpha representing the Craft and RA. On the top of the casket, the square on an arc is shown (jewel of the Grand Master) on the left of the POW feathers and the interlaced triangles (jewel of the First Grand Principal).