Duke of Cumberland Perspective

Quoting from Fulford’s work (unknown), he says, “Yet even in the 1760s there were people in England whose hearts beat stronger at the remembrance of the Stuarts. Jacobitism had survived not do much on account of political grievances, as on account of personal grievances against the first two Hanoverian Kings. Their inability to master English, but their facility in acquiring a vivid vocabulary of bad language; their rages (George l scheming to deport George ll to America, and George ll deliberately destroying George l’s will); their bevy of German mistresses, and their total lock of sensibility were all a permanent advertisement of the Stuart cause.”

The first of the Georgian princes to join the Masonic Order was the eldest son of George ll, whom I have previously referred to, H. R. H. Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales, who was Initiated at the age of 30 at his Royal Palace at Kew at an ‘Occasional Lodge’ on November 5th, 1737. The famous and zealous Brother, Doctor Desaguliers, had the honour of presiding over the lodge, and on that evening conferred both the E. A. and F. C. Degrees on the Prince. Desaguliers also sat as Master at a subsequent ‘Occasional Lodge’ when the Prince became a Master Mason. There is no record of any great activity in Masonic circles on the part of Prince Frederick Lewis, but there is evidence that he enjoyed to the full and the social and festive life that the Craft had to offer; and although his ambitions did not prompt him to seek any Masonic eminence, by his entrance into Masonry he set an example which, with two exceptions only since, has been followed by each of the male heirs apparent.

The opinion expressed by King George ll in regard his eldest son has already been referred to, but knowing the father did much to provoke the unfilial attitude of the son, too much store need not be placed upon it.

It is, however, a melancholy fact, which all Masons must deplore, that our first Royal Brother from the House of Hanover led a loose and vicious life which brought about his death at the early age of 44.

History records of him “that he had been in indifferent health for some time and had injured his constitution by dissipated habits. He was of weak character which led him into excesses, and the consequences of these were made worse by great negligence of his health, the same weakness of character made him very much the tool of political faction and placed him in an unnatural opposition to his father. His immediate illness was brought on by sleeping in a cold, damp room at Carlton House, in the evening after a walk in Kew Gardens, and this when he ws just recovering from pleurisy. Little as the Prince had to recommend him, yet he was free from the penurious meanness of his father, and the brutal, overwhelming temper of his brother. He was fond of the company of men of talent and patronized literature. The people, when they heard of his death, assembled in crowds in the street crying, ’Oh, that it was but his brother! Oh, that it was but the Butcher.’”

The explanation for this latter will be of interest to the Brethren. While all readers of Masonic history are aware that Prince Frederick Lewis joined the Order, it is not generally known that the second son of George ll, William, Duke of Cumberland, to whom I have previously referred, also became a

Mason. On the authority, however, of that great Masonic Historian,

Robert Freke Gould, it may be stated that he was Initiated in 1743, apparently in Belgium, in a Military lodge of the British Army in the Netherlands, while engaged in the war of the Spanish Succession.

William was then only 22 years of age, but displayed a real military genius, and two years later commanded the British Army. He never took part in English Freemasonry and we may be glad of the fact, for he eventually became one of the most detestable characters in English History.

He it was who was in command of the army which finally crushed and destroyed Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces at Culloden in 1746, and he then acquired the title, by which he was known for the remainder of his life, of ‘Billy the Butcher’. This was in consequence of the vindictive, murderous, indeed bloody, methods he adopted in punishing and penalizing the Highlanders during his so-called ‘pacification’ of Scotland after the rising, methods which had the full approval of his diabolical father George ll and of the political par-

ty then in power. This is not to tell of the horrors and abominations perpetrated on the Highlands, but the proceedings left an indelible black mark against the name of ‘Billy the Butcher’ for all time. It is of interest to note that the Government prohibited the wearing of that national dress of the Highlanders, the kilt, which did as much to break the hearts and spirits of the Clans as did ‘Billy the Butcher’ s’ methods of terrorism. This restriction was not removed until nearly half a century afterwards.

This Prince died in 1765 at the age of 45, unlamented, scorned and hated by the nation. The public regarded him as a monster of brutality, and a monster he was, as although short in statue, he had become so gross as to weigh nearly Note: Many of the supporters, both Scottish and English, of James Francis Edward (son of James ll) the first ‘Pretender’ were Masons; and Charles Edward the ‘Young Pretender’ (Bonnie Prince Charlie) enjoyed support from the same sources in their attempts to regain “that which was lost” until his final defeat at Culloden in 1746.

Taken from a paper by Bro. Frederick Fleeman PPGJW, Delivered to the Lodge of Research, Leicestershire & Rutland No. 2429 (EC) on 24th May, 1937

Before & After

The above shows Bournemouth Freemasons’ Hall in Dorset built in 1870 and the hall today as a ski centre. The main hall set back on either side, with clerestory of small arched windows, behind lower wings with arched windows, pilasters and entablature. In place of lefthand window, bigger arch for entrance, secondary entrance at other end (to basement) added 1910. Right—the old east and left is current hall in Knole Road.