Nebuchadnezzar

This cut 'n' paste from the Daily Mail reports about an ancient artefact that includes a picture of King Nebuchadnezzar II, who destroyed Solomon's temple.

A carving of the Tower of Babel has been found on a stone tablet dating back over 2,500 years.

It comes from the newly published book Cuneiform Royal Inscriptions And Related Texts In The Schøyen Collection.

The collection is owned by Norwegian businessman Martin Schøyen, who has amassed over 13,000 ancient manuscripts and tablets.

Rare: A reconstruction of the tablet, right, showing what the images would have originally looked like before they faded

One of the images shows King Nebuchadnezzar II, who ruled Babylon 2,500 years ago, standing next to a huge ziggurat – a pyramidlike structure dedicated to the god Marduk that some scholars believe is the Tower of Babel of Biblical fame.

Professor Andrew George writes that this drawing is one of ‘the stars in the firmament of the book’.

The depiction of Nebuchadnezzar is one of only four in the world.

WHAT WAS THE TOWER OF BABEL?

According to the Bible, following the Great Flood, a giant tower was built in Shinar - an area in Mesopotamia, covering parts of present-day Iraq and Syria - that would reach to Heaven itself.

It was a presumptuous project in the eyes of God, who is said to have come down and scattered the language shared by the builders into many.

He thought that humans had too much freedom so dividing their language was a way of hindering them.

Babel, is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a 'scene of noisy confusion'.

Interestingly, the phrase 'Tower of Babel' is not mentioned in the Bible, but is described as 'the city and its tower'.

Professor George says: ‘The others are carved on cliff-faces in Lebanon at Wadi Brisa (which has two reliefs) and at Shir es-Sanam.

‘All these outdoor monuments are in very poor condition and their depictions of the king are much less impressive than that on the stele [stone tablet].’

Elsewhere in the book is an interesting translation of a 3,000-year-old copy of the law code of Mesopotamian king Ur-Nammu.

Within this scholars discovered an ‘eye for an eye’ rule, predating Hammurabi’s famous 1780BC code by hundreds of years.

However, Ur-Nammu’s version was less cruel and stated that blinding someone should result in a fine, not the losing of an eye.

Bar tabs were also enshrined in law. If, for example, you told a ‘female tavern-keeper’ to put a beer on a tab in the summer, she could order you to pay a tax in the winter – though it doesn’t specify how much.

Miguel Civil translates the text as follows: ‘If a female tavern-keeper gives [in] summer one beer-jar to someone on credit its nigdiri-tax will be [...] in win[ter]...’

Old the front page: A copy of Ur-Nammu's law which included an 'eye for an eye' rule and a code on bar tabs

Globes

These terrestrial and celestial globes are being sold by Bonhams on January 18. They are expected top fetch £40,000.

Here is the catalogue description...

A pair of Bardin terrestrial and celestial library globes, English, mid 19th century,
the terrestrial globe with cartouche printed The the Right Honorable Sir Joseph Banks Bart KB, President of the Royal Society this new British terrestrial globe containing all the latest discoveries and communication from the most correct and authentic observations and surveys to the year 1849 by Capt Cook and more recent navigations engraved from an accurate drawing by Mr Arrowsmith, Geographer, as respectively dedicated by his most obedient humble servant, W & L Bardin Manufactures & Sold by wholesale and retail by S S.Edkins son in law & successor to the late Tim M Bardin, Salisbury Square London celestial globe with cartouche engraved To the Rt Nevil Maskelyne D.D.F.R.S. Astronomer Royal this new British celestial globe containing the positions of nearly 6000 stars, clusters, nebula, planetary nebuli & correctly laid down to the present period from the latest observation and discoveries by Dr Maskelyne, Dr Herschel, the Reverand Fr Wollaston As respectively dedicated by His Most obedient servant W M Bardin, both spheres mounted in brass meridians within rings applied with coloured printed calendar and zodiac scales, raised on four mahogany brackets above tripod base decorated with carved acanthus leaves and stretcher centred by printed compass rose, 40in (102cm) high

Masonic watch

This watch is expected to sell for £1,000 at Christie's in New York on December 16.

Here is the catalogue description

American Waltham Watch. A Fine And Rare 14 Gold Hunter Case Keyless Lever Masonic Pocket Watch With Enamel Odd Fellows Dial
Signed American Waltham Watch Co., Appleton, Tracy & Co. Model, Made For E. A. Sutter, Abilene Kansas, Movement No. 4'708'179, Case No. 4'849'147, Circa 1892
Size 18 full-plate gilt-finished lever movement, 17 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance, gold cuvette, white enamel dial, Odd Fellows symbols for numerals, sunken subsidiary seconds dial, circular Keystone engine-turned case, plain medallion to the front, engraved scroll motif to both rims and band, dial signed, movement signed for Railroad inspector
53mm diam.
American Waltham Watch Co.

Naval group of mason for sale

This wonderful archive of a Mason and his career at sea is being sold by Lockdales of Ipswich, Suffolk. It is estimated to sell for £800.

The catalogue description reads: "Superb Naval group to James Joseph Day. Day joined the Fleet as a boy on 18th July 1895 finally attaining the rank of Master Superintendent on his retirement 9th May 1946.

He was Awarded the Humane Society Bronze Medal in 1912, Mentioned for Gallant Conduct on 7th June 1926, and thanked by the Colonial Government for the efficient manner in which he officiated as Captain of the Port, Gibraltar during the Spanish crisis during the period 23rd - 27th July 1936, also the appreciation of His Excellency The Governor and Commander-in-Chief for his valuable work. MBE Gazetted 13th June 1946, and ISM Awarded 20th Dec 1946. Medals - Cased MBE (Civil) + Original Certificate, BWM & Mercantile Marine Medal, 1935 Jubilee Medal, GVI Imperial Service Medal (boxed) with original paperwork, Humane Society Medal in Bronze (cased) with original Certificate, plus matching Miniature Medals. Day was a keen Racing Yachtsman, with the lot including his original Log Book for his yacht the Poppy dated 1924 to 1930 which he raced at the Gibraltar Yacht Club, several framed and loose photos of the Poppy and of Day in his Masonic Regalia.

Also noted seven Masonic Medals in silver & gold, various Regalia including his Sword, and two Flying Helmets. An interesting lot worthy of further research."

Cartoon fun

Another humorous postcard showing masons is being sold by Trevor Vennett-Smith at his saleroom in Nottinghamshire.

This is estimated to sell for £30.

More funnies

Another humorous postcard showing masons is being sold by Trevor Vennett-Smith at his saleroom in Nottinghamshire.

This is estimated to sell for £30.

More humour

Another humorous postcard showing masons is being sold by Trevor Vennett-Smith at his saleroom in Nottinghamshire.

This is estimated to sell for £30.

Masonic help for Nelson's widow

This wonderful George III silver presentation two-handled cup and cover is to be sold by Sotheby's on November 2 with an estimate of £6,000.

The inscription reads: "From Emma Lady Hamilton to Thomas Field Savory Esqr. As a small token of gratitude. For his unremitted attentions to her Dear lamented mother and to herself and family 1810."

The masonic connection is with recipient, Thomas Savory. The catalogue notes stated that chemist Savory's house guests included "HRH Duke of Sussex (1773-1843)Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, of whose household Thomas Savory was apponited a Gentleman. Savory, like the Duke, was an enthusiastic Freemason being a member of Antiquity, Prince of Wales's and Jerusalem Lodges as well as The Prince of Wales's Chapter and the Masonic Templars Chapter of Observance...According to The Freemasons' Quarterly Review (1847) Savory "was somewhat proud in his bearing, yet gentlemanly at all times."

It seems that Lord Nelson's widow benefited from the kindness of this Freemason.

3rd Degree tracing boards for sale

These two framed third degree tracing boards are being sold by Adam Partridge in Macclesfield on November 27. They are expected to sell for £40.

They were made by Toye and Co and measure 37.5cmX24cm.

Masonic roulette

This early Victorian circular gold pendant, engraved with masonic emblems and containing and working miniature roulette wheel with sliding pin activation, is expected to sell for about £100 at Wolley and Wallis saleroom in Salisbury, Wilts.

Shell snuff

This rather pleasing snuff box made from a cowrie shell dates from the 18th century and has masonic symbols on the lid. It is expected to sell for about £100 when it goes under the hammer at Lockdales in Suffolk.

Get the horn

This unusual pair of 19th century scrimshaw-decorated cow horns is going under the hammer at Charles Miller auctions in London. The catalogue description reads: "... incised overall with typical whaling scenes and banner script, a Masonic cartouche to one, the other with a patriotic shield entitled ADVANCE AUSTRALIA."

Great pic of lady African-American masons

This photo of African-American lady masons by James Vanderzee dates from the 1930s and is going under the hammer at Swann Auction Galleries in the US.

It is estimated to sell for $3,000 when it is sold next month.

It is titled "Group of Masonic Society Woman".

Masonic Handshake

This painting by Sophie Von Hellermann called "Masonic Handshake" is to be sold at Christie's in London.

It is estimated to sell for up to £3,000.

The artist was born in 1975 and this was paitned in 2003. It is in acrylic on canvas and goes under the hammer on September 14.

Globes for sale

These Victorian terrestrial and celestial 18-inch library globes were made by Thomas Maby and Son in London in about 1880.

Valued at up to £12,000 they are to be sold by Christie's at the Cowdray house sale in Cowdray Park, West Sussex, on September 13.

The contents of the enormous house are being sold and among them are these splendid globes.

The family is dispensing of its two main houses, the other being in Scotland.

New police lodge

From the Sunday Telegraph

Leading police officers have set up a national Masonic lodge where they can meet in secret in defiance of fears about the influence of the secret society on the criminal justice system.

The founding members include senior officials from the Police Federation, the police staff association, which is currently fighting the Government over its plans to cut budgets.

The new Masonic lodge is led by John Tully, a Metropolitan Police officer The new Masonic lodge is led by John Tully, a Metropolitan Police officer, who has given numerous interviews in recent days accusing the Prime Minister of "fighting violence, arson and looting on our city streets with sound-bites".

Other founder members include officers from the Metropolitan Police, Essex Police, Thames Valley Police and from other forces including Northumbria, Dyfed Powys, South Wales, South Yorkshire and even a high ranking officer from the Royal Gibraltar Police.

The "Sine Favore" Lodge was opened despite the conclusions of a Parliamentary inquiry which warned of public fears that "Freemasonry can have an unhealthy influence on the criminal justice system".

The inquiry followed questions about masonic involvement in the abandonment of an investigation into a shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland and with the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad, which was disbanded after evidence of police malpractice.

The idea for the new police Masonic lodge grew out of a series unofficial get-togethers in hotel bars during Police Federation annual conferences.

Masonic rules require members to do all they can to support each other, to look after each other and to keep each others' lawful secrets.

New members of the so-called Brotherhood are blindfolded, a hangman's noose placed around their necks and they are warned their throat will be slit and their tongue torn out if they break their oath. Critics argue this could put them at odds with discharging their duty to serve the public.

The inquiry by the Home Affairs Select Committee in 1998 called for a public register of police officers who joined the Freemasons, although in the end the then Labour government proposed that officers could make voluntary disclosures about their membership. Few did.

The new "Sine Favore" lodge, is named after the Latin motto of the Police Federation, "Without Fear, Without Favour".

The founders include Police Federation Treasurer Martyn Mordecai, John Giblin, chairman of the Federation's Sergeants Central Committee, and Steve Williams, general secretary of the Federation's Inspectors Central Committee.

Earlier this year Mr Giblin told the Federation's annual conference that government ministers "hate the police service" and wanted to "destroy" it.

Other founding members include solicitor Tristan Hallam, a personal injury lawyer who specialises, according to his firm Russell Jones and Walker, in "road traffic accidents and public liability cases for both private clients and associations including the Police Federation".

Mr Hallam said: "Membership of any organisation is a personal choice. Russell Jones & Walker are aware of my membership."

Stewart Imbimbo, an ex-Thames Valley police officer and now a senior official at Milton Keynes council, Robert Taylor, a financial adviser, Eric Misselke, director of a police credit union which provides cheap loans, savings accounts and insurance, and the Metropolitan Police's resident criminologist Dr Attilio Grandani.

Dr Grandani sits on the Metropolitan Police Authority's equality and diversity sub-committee and is behind the Met's new controversial statistical-led policing model, which aims to combat areas of high crime as opposed to more thinly spread bobbies-on-the-beat territorial policing.

Lodge number 9856 was officially opened by a senior Masonic official, Russell Race. He is the Metropolitan Grand Master, head of the Grand Lodge of London, a corporate financier and chairman of a construction firm behind the huge Westfield shopping centre in west London and The Pinnacle office development, which, when complete, will be the tallest building in the City of London.

The lodge is based at 10 Duke Street in central London, which is also the headquarters of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree, one of the most important and mysterious bodies in international Masonic circles, which has an elite membership of only 75 people.

The building, known as Grand East by Masons, contains the "Black Room", the "Red Room" and a "Chamber of Death", used for Masonic rituals.

The Police Federation last night refused to discuss whether any of its officials had disclosed their involvement with Freemasonry.

A spokesman said: "Being a member of any organisation is a matter for the individual, so long as membership of that organisation does not compromise their duties and responsibilities as a police officer."

Lodge Secretary Mr Tully, vice chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation refused to comment.

The old goat...

The details for this auction lot are the same as the ones posted below...

More humour

Another picture from the well-known comic series. This is being sold by Trevor Vennett-Smith in Nottingham. It has an estimate of £20. It dates from 1924.

A Catholic curiosity

This piece is from the Catholic Herald and is an interesting story of a man's curiosity about Freemasonry prompted by mass killer Anders Breivik.

It is a positive story, although the odd canard is repeated. A lively debate follows in the comments.

"The Masons in Britain are, apparently, open to anyone who believes in a God and donate huge sums to charity. So what did Breivik see in it?

Among the bizarre photographs that the Norwegian mass killer, Anders Breivik, displayed of himself on the internet, posing in different uniforms, was one in which he was wearing the characteristic Masonic apron. It appears that sometime during his twisted career he had become a Freemason. Was this because it made him feel important, he liked the idea of a secret society, or because Masonic views about Muslim immigration accorded with his own racist views?

These questions came into my mind as I was accompanying my very elderly mother to an event on Saturday that she loves (but which I find irresistibly dull): the Oxfordshire County Show. To sneak a book along with me, to read as she watched prize cattle parading past, would have been a social solecism of the highest order in my mother’s eyes. There was momentary relief when I was ordered to go and find her a glass of wine from somewhere. It meant I could do a quick trawl of the stalls. And among the leatherwork, farm equipment and suchlike, I caught sight of a stall advertising the local Masonic lodge.

Slipping in behind the backs of the officials manning it, I grabbed all the literature I could find: free pamphlets with the titles: “All about Freemasons: interested?”, “Freemasons: a partner’s guide”, “Our History” and “Charities”. At least it was printed matter. I duly scanned these offerings surreptitiously while my mother sipped her wine and watched the show jumping.

All I knew about Freemasonry I had gleaned from a book I had read at my convent boarding school – egged on by a school friend who spoke of its fearful rituals and oaths – called Darkness Visible: A Christian Appraisal of Freemasonry, by Walter Hannah, published in 1952. If I remember, these oaths included agreeing to have your tongue torn out and being buried up to your neck in sand at low tide if you gave away Masonic secrets. This might have appealed to a person like Breivik – but what was this stall doing at a quintessential rural English occasion like a country show?

It seems I was quite wrong in my prejudices and assumptions: the pamphlet called “Interested” talked about the clubbiness and conviviality of the Lodge meetings; “Freemasonry is not a secret society”, it declared. OK, there are a few secret signs and passwords used by Masons to identify one another, but these are simply ceremonial. The “Charities” leaflet showed the enormous sums donated by the Freemasons to the victims of hurricanes and tsunamis, local hospices and other worthy causes.

The Partners’ Guide (a very PC phrase) showed pictures of wives and children and again reassured readers that it was not a secret society with secret rituals, but open to men of all religions “who share a concern for human values and moral standards” and who “strive to live by the fundamental principles of integrity, good will and charity.” It also declares that “While every Freemason must hold a personal belief in a God as a Supreme Being, there is no separate theology. Any man who believes in a God, from whatever Faith, will be comfortable with all that Freemasonry is, does and teaches.”

The last pamphlet, “Our History”, puzzled me slightly. I had thought the Masons were sure they could trace back their lineage to King Solomon’s temple and a chap called Hiram Abiff, apparently King Solomon’s chief architect; here I read that “it is generally accepted to be connected with the Stone Masons who built the great medieval cathedrals and castles”. So deeply Catholic origins, then? There seems to have then been a gap until the 18th century when it flourished mightily in Protestant England. Yes, there are funny handshakes but these are only used at Lodge meetings.

It’s amazing how interesting an agricultural show becomes with literature like this on hand. But I still have questions. Why was someone like Breivik attracted to Freemasonry when “it admits all men regardless of race, creed, colour, faith or nationality”? Why are Catholics forbidden to join? What happened to the horrible oaths used in the degree ceremonies and why were they allowed in the first place? What links can there possibly be between the devout Catholic masons and craftsmen of, eg Chartres or Durham cathedral and modern Freemasonry? Oh – and why does the Masonic Hall in Brecon not have any windows on the ground floor?"

Anders Behring Breivik

The picture of mass killer Anders Behring Breivik wearing masonic regalia has been seen across the world.

The Norwegian murderer took the lives of nearly 100 people in a terror outrage that has shocked all right thinking people.

Unfortunately the picture of him posted above will do nothing to quell the masonic/jewish/taking over the world conspiracy theorists.

Freemasons will of course behave as they ought. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the victims of the outrage and doing what they can to help.

Staffordshire jug

This jug is coming up for sale at John Nicholson's specialist fine art and Masonic sale on July 27 in Surrey.

The catalogue description reads: "A 19TH CENTURY STAFFORDSHIRE CREAMWARE JUG, CIRCA. 1820, INDUSTRY LOVES TRUTH, THE FREEMASONS ARMS, Masonic symbols, The Seeing Eye, two pillars man with compass, 3.5ins high."

The top estimate is £125.

Toffee hammer

This toffee glaze mallet from the early 19th century is being offered for sale by John Nicholson auctions in Surrey on July 27.

It is a specialist fine art and masonic sale and this piece is estimated to go for up to £50.

Rare engraving for sale

This engraving of the installation of HRH The Prince of Wales KG as Grand Master in 1875 has emerged for sale at the Yeovil auction roomns where it is expected to fetch several hundred pounds on July 16.

The catalogue description reads: "Very Rare Engraving Of Masonic Interest. Presented to The Mitcham Masonic Lodge No 2384 By The Family Of The Late W. Bro J M Leather PM. Engraved by A LURAT and EDWARD G HESTER,Printed by McQueens, and Published Jan 1st 1878 By Bro E J Harty, 213 Regent Street. Having The Inscription "The Installation Of H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales K.G. As Most Worshipful Grand Master Of The United Grand Lodge Of Ancient Free And Accepted Masons Of England 28th April 1875". Also " This Engraving Is Dedicated By Special Permission To His Royal Highness By Bro Edward James Harty PM 1201" 94x61."

Masonic cartoon

This cartoon is being sold by Trevor Vennet-Smith in Nottinghamshire on July 13.

It is from the National Series "Are You A Mason".

The estimate is £40.

Lord Northampton hits the headlines

From the Sunday Telegraph

The Marquess of Northampton, one of Britain's weathiest and most colourful aristocrats, has been accused of obtaining illicit tape recordings of telephone calls made by his wife in a divorce battle over his £120 million fortune.

Image 1 of 3

Lord Northampton with Lady Pamela Photo: DOMINIC O'NEILL

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James Haworth , left, and his partner Suazanne Shipwright Photo: WARREN ALLOTT / FIONA HANSON

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The family home, Compton Wynyates Photo: ALAMY

He is one of Britain's wealthiest and most colourful aristocrats.

Dubbed the Mystic Marquess for his fascination with Freemasonry and ancient mysticism, The 7th Marquess of Northampton has been married five times, endured four divorces and is now embarking on his fifth.

He has two vast and hugely expensive stately homes to maintain, and possesses a hoard of Roman treasure, worth £100 million but so contentious it cannot be sold.

But the latest controversy to dog the peer may be the most damaging and costly yet.

For Lord Northampton stands accused of obtaining illicitly taped telephone calls between his estranged wife Lady Pamela and her 86-year-old father in a divorce battle over his estimated £120 million fortune.

In a bizarre twist, it is his father-in-law's partner, a hairdresser and beautician from Middlesex, who is accused of making the secret tapes and passing them on to the marquess.

A close friend of Lord Northampton has told The Sunday Telegraph that the 65-year-old peer is "extremely upset" by the collapse of his fifth marriage.

After four failed marriages, he had thought that Lady Pamela was "the love of his life", said the friend.

The phone taping case is deeply embarrassing for Lord Northampton, who now faces having to explain his actions before a High Court judge.

Lady Pamela, his fifth wife whom he married in 1990, stands to receive as much as £20 million in compensation for their 20-year marriage.

The contents of the taped conversations are subject to a series of strict court orders and cannot - for now at least - be made public by any of the parties involved in the complex divorce and breach of confidence cases.

But The Sunday Telegraph has learnt that Suzanne Shipwright, who has lived with Lady Pamela's father James Haworth for more than 20 years, made the recordings last autumn and then passed them to Lord Northampton, apparently indignant at their contents.

Lord Northampton, born Spencer Compton and known as 'Spenny' to friends, issued divorce proceedings on 25 November last year after hearing the recordings.

In a counter law suit Lady Pamela and Mr Haworth are suing both Miss Shipwright and Lord Northampton for damages, claiming breach of confidence.

Strangely, despite being on opposing sides, Mr Haworth and Miss Shipwright apparently remain a couple, sharing a bungalow in Surrey with Mr Haworth.

A friend of Lord Northampton told The Sunday Telegraph: "Spenny is extremely upset that what he thought was a happy marriage has come to a sudden end. He had thought that Pamela was the love of his life."

The friend stressed that unlike his previous marriages, Lord Northampton had no plans to find a sixth wife on the rebound.

"Spenny has been faithful to his wife throughout their marriage and there is no one else in his life," insisted the friend.

The friend added: "He realised there was no future to the marriage when he was made aware of the nature of the conversations between Pamela and his father in law during last autumn.

"With real sadness Spenny felt he had no other choice than to start divorce proceedings last November. Spenny has told me the tapes came to him as a bolt from the blue and he certainly didn't commission their recording."

As recently as 2006, he publicly praised Lady Pamela in front of a gathering of freemasons in New York for the "advice, love and support I receive from Pamela, who shares with me a passion for the Craft as well as some of the highs and all of the lows associated with my role as Pro Grand Master of English Freemasonry".

Miss Shipwright, 62, effectively Lady Pamela's common law stepmother although only three years older, continues to live with Mr Haworth. Mr Haworth is hard of hearing and routinely makes his telephone calls with the speaker phone at full volume in order to conduct conversations. That made the calls easy to record.

Miss Shipwright, who ran Suzanne's Hair and Beauty salon in Staines in Middlesex, offering 'laser skin resurfacing' among other treatments, refused to comment last week.

Mr Haworth, a retired land agent, said: "It will all play out in court. I don't want it to play out on my doorstep."

His lawyers have accused Lord Northampton of "fishing for information" useful in the divorce case while Lady Pamela's divorce barrister, the eminent QC Bruce Blair, told a judge that she was "horrified by the disgracefully obtained information".

Lady Pamela, 59, who like the majority of Lord Northampton's wives is blonde and glamorous, is travelling abroad, while awaiting a divorce payout that will keep her in the luxury to which she has become accustomed over the past two decades.

He has employed the Queen's solicitors Farrer & Co in an attempt to preserve his estate intact for future generations. Among his assets are two stately homes - Compton Wynyates, the Compton family home since 1204, and Castle Ashby, which he hires out for weddings and other occasions.

The former England rugby captain Will Carling married there before fatefully embarking on an affair with Princess Diana. His country estates in Warwickshire, Northampton and Surrey cover 18,500 acres.

Lord Northampton also has at least one London home on an exclusive square as well as properties in Islington in north London, which includes a conference centre in a mansion which has been in the Compton family since 1599.

He is also director of the Canonbury Masonic Research Centre, of which Lady Pamela is also a director. The centre "supports the study of freemasonry and mystical and esoteric traditions".

Other family assets - including paintings and medieval manuscripts - have been sold off over the last two decades with the money said to have been ploughed back into the upkeep of the stately homes. In 1985, two years after his divorce to wife number three Rosie, he sold The Adoration of the Magi by the 15th century artist Andreas Mantegna for a then world record £8.1 million despite howls of protest on its export to the Getty Museum in California.

Lady Pamela's divorce lawyers are likely to argue that the Sevso Treasure should also be thrown into calculations of the marquess' wealth.

The treasure trove, consisting of 14 large decorated silver vessels and plates, is considered one of the greatest collections of Roman antiquities.

It is said to be locked away in a bank vault because it cannot be sold due to disputes over its provenance.

Lord Northampton bought it in the 1980s and became embroiled in a series of ownership battles and even a police investigation.

Despite being cleared of all wrongdoing and finally given full possession in 1993, Lord Northampton has been unable to find a buyer willing to take the risk of purchasing it because of fears of future legal cases.

Lord Northampton and the future Lady Pamela - she was previously married to a wealthy American financier - met through mutual friends. The couple were married in 1990. Guests at the time would have been excused wondering if it would last.

Between 1967 and 1988, the marquess cemented his reputation as a playboy by marrying four times in relatively quick succession.

His fourth wife Fritzi, a German model, was known as Lady Fourthampton while the marriage to wife number two - his former secretary Annette Smallwood - lasted about 20 months.

One report in 1976 suggested Lady Annette had taken off her shirt in a smart restaurant in London and crawled under tables to "liven things up".

His first marriage in 1967 was to Henriette Bentinck, the daughter of the former Dutch ambassador to London.

The marquess, then working for Barings bank, was just 21 and Miss Bentinck only 18.

"I was going to be an actress," she said at the time, "But he won't let me - modelling and the theatre are both out, he says. However I love him better than acting so it's all right."

The couple had two children - including an heir born in January 1973. By October 1973 the couple were divorced and by the following year he had married Annette Smallwood, who at the time was secretary of KIDS, a charity for deprived children which he had set up.

By 1977, that marriage was over and Rosie Dawson-Damer was named in the divorce petition as the other woman. Marriage number three lasted six years until 1983 when Lady Rosie moved out of Compton Wynyates.

It was claimed at the time the breakdown in relations was not helped by Lady Rosy's keenness for hunting which was not thought to be compatible with Lord Northampton's decision to abandon shooting and become a vegetarian.

"I have an affinity for Buddhism although I am not becoming a Buddhist," he said in an interview at the time. Despite sugegstions on the internet that he is Britain's wealthiest Buddhist, Lord Northampton remains an Anglican and is no longer a vegetarian.

In 1985, he married Fritzi Erhardt, the former wife of Viscount Cowdray's heir. They divorced in 1988. At the time his fourth marriage collapsed, he declared: "I have always been told I would have at least five wives." The prophecy was to come true when he married Lady Pamela at a registry office in Stratford-upon-Avon on Dec 10, 1990.

Lawyers for Lady Pamela declined to comment on the case as did legal representatives for Lord Northampton at Farrer & Co.

Cranmer and Freemasonry

The influential blogger Cranmer has posted about the relationship between the Anglican church and Freemasonry after he was asked to do so by a down-under brother.

I re-post His Grace's offering in full. He is asking for comments so please visit his site ...

His Grace received a flurry of requests a few weeks ago to share his thoughts on the relationship between Freemasonry and the Church of England. They came in the context of the decision to appoint the the Rev Jonathan Baker, Principal of Pusey House in Oxford, to the (‘flying’) Bishopric of Ebbsfleet. The appointment was made despite the Archbishop of Canterbury knowing he was ‘an active and senior mason’.

Dr Williams has previously made it known that he believes Freemasonry to be 'incompatible’ with Christianity, doubtless owing to its reverence for some unspecified ‘supreme being’ and the need for its adherents to participate in certain cultic rituals and swear secret oaths. He has consequently refused to promote masons to senior positions with the Church, though lay involvement appears to have presented no problems. This is curious: surely if Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity, masons should not be in the Church at all, let alone arranging the flowers.

Curiously, just after the appointment, Fr Baker defended his continuing membership of the Masons to The Sunday Telegraph, insisting that it was ‘compatible with his new role as a bishop’. Yet just a week later, he had changed his mind and recanted renounced announced that he was leaving the Masons ‘to concentrate on being a bishop’. He said: “I have concluded that, because of the particular charism of episcopal ministry and the burden that ministry bears, I am resigning my membership of Freemasonry.” This, again, is curious: if there was nothing incompatible between Freemasonry and being the principal of and Anglo-Catholic college, why should it be incompatible with the office of bishop? Is not membership of a male-only cult rather contiguous with being a ‘flying’ bishop to oversee clergy opposed to women priests? The Archbishop of Canterbury was evidently content for the appointment to proceed while Fr Baker was still a mason, so his anxieties have manifestly eased over the years.

His Grace really was not going to delve into this, but he has received a letter from an Anglican (‘down under’) who also happens to be a third degree or Master Mason in the Blue Lodge. Hitherto, the joint affiliation has presented him with no problems. But the Diocesan Synod in Sydney has recently decreed that all Anglican Freemasons must withdraw from their Lodges or sever all connections with the Anglican Church. He wrote:

To His Grace Rt Rev Thomas Cranmer
Archbishop of Canterbury

Your Grace,

I trust that the pain of the fires did not trouble you for too long. I am reading your thoughts again, albeit from the grave.

I therefore wish to hear your views and advice on a matter of some importance to me, and of relevance to the current Church of England and worldwide Anglican Communion. Last Sunday I was discussing with a church warden a proposed development to land adjacent to my parish church. A new church building is to be built between the old one (built in 1840) and the church hall (1910). Adjacent to the hall is the Masonic temple (1926). All of the buildings were commissioned by the founding family of this particular town. As a 5th generation freemason, I light-heartedly suggested that the Lodge could participate in the foundation stone-laying ceremony. I was told in very clear terms that this Diocese proscribes Freemasonry, holding it to be "irreconcilably incompatible with Christianity" and the Church is to have nothing whatsoever to do with Masonic lodges, nor to permit any Masonic activity on Church land, while Anglican schools in the Diocese are to sever all links with Masonic organisations of any kind (charitable or not). This was the result of a resolution in 2003, the text of which appears below (I know it's old news now, but it has a renewed relevance in relation to the Bishop of Ebbsfleet):

RESOLUTION 25/03 – FREEMASONRY
Synod, noting the 1988 Report to Synod entitled “Freemasonry Examined” and subsequent resolution 9/88 of that Synod -
(a) affirms that Freemasonry and Christianity are fundamentally and irreconcilably incompatible, and
(b) affirms that Freemasonry teaches and upholds a system of false religious and spiritual beliefs that are contrary to biblical Christianity.
Synod encourages ministers and other Christians to take every opportunity to reach out in love to all Freemasons and share with them the gospel of Christ.
Synod encourages all Christians who are members of a Masonic Lodge to demonstrate their commitment to Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God and as the sole way of salvation, by withdrawing from the Lodge.
Synod encourages ministers not to participate in, nor allow in their church buildings, any religious services or activities that uphold, condone, promote or encourage adherence to Freemasonry.
Synod requests the Councils of all Anglican Schools to consider any association that their school may have with any Masonic Lodge, and to withdraw from any such association. Synod further requests that Anglican Schools neither participate in any activity that may uphold, condone, promote or encourage adherence to Freemasonry, nor give publicity to any such activity, nor allow the name of the school to be used in association with any such activity.
Synod requests Standing Committee to undertake the preparation, production and distribution of a clear and unambiguous booklet suitable for wide distribution, examining the key rites, teachings and beliefs of Freemasonry and explaining why they differ from Biblical Christianity, and explaining why it is wrong for a Christian to belong to the Lodge.
(The Rev Bill Winthrop - 20.10.03)
Below is the media statement in response the next day from the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory:

MEDIA STATEMENT by M.W. Bro. Tony Lauer, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory, Australia

“SYDNEY SYNOD RESOLUTION THAT ANGLICAL FREEMASONS WITHDRAW FROM THE FREEMASONS – OR – FROM ATTENDING THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IS MISCONCEIVED, DISCRIMINATORY AND A BETRAYAL OF ITS FOLLOWERS,” says Tony Lauer, Grand Master of NSW & ACT Freemasons.

A resolution proposed by the Reverend William Winthrop of Lithgow that all Anglican Freemasons withdraw from their Lodges OR sever all connections with the Anglican Church, was passed last night by the Diocesan Synod in Sydney.
“ The resolution is pure discrimination, smacks of bigotry and religious fundamentalism and is a betrayal of all Freemasons who practice the Anglican Faith,” says Tony Lauer, Grand Master of the NSW & ACT Freemasons, “especially since a great percentage of Freemasons throughout the State are Anglicans.”
“Furthermore, this a one man vendetta on the part of Reverend Winthrop, over a local issue and very petty situation – that received widespread publicity - which occurred in Lithgow last year.”
“This resulted in all local Freemasons being publicly not welcomed at the local Anglican Church,” says Mr Lauer.
“The stance taken is based on total ignorance and is a misrepresentation of what Freemasonry is all about,” says Mr Lauer.
“First and foremost, Freemasonry is tolerant and respectful of all religions and admits all men of good character who have a commitment to self improvement and to serve their community. Our one requirement is that they have a belief in God as the ‘supreme being’. We do not question their other beliefs,” continued Mr Lauer.
“We accept members of all faiths as Freemasons, as long as they have this belief, hence many of our Lodge members work within their communities with men of many faiths including Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Catholics and Muslims,” added Mr Lauer.
“I would like to point out to Reverend Winthrop and the Synod, that many high-ranking ministers of religion, including Anglicans, have been – and are – Freemasons,” said Mr Lauer.
“I ask Mr Winthrop and the Diocese, whether these men are now to be considered not to be Christians because they are Freemasons,” said Mr Lauer.
“Freemasonry teaches tolerance, equality, compassion and brotherly love. If Reverend Winthrop’s and the Synod’s interpretation of ‘Christianity’ disagrees with these teachings, does this mean that the Sydney Anglican Church does not believe in the basic principles of compassion, brotherly love and above all – truth?” challenges Mr Lauer.
“Over the last 200 years Freemasons have played a significant role in shaping the fabric of Australian Society, and have been prominent in all areas of Australia’s proud history including politics, commerce, sports, the armed services.”
“In fact since Lachlan Macquarie became Governor of New South Wales in 1809, each State has had one or more Governors who were Freemasons.”
“Three of Australia’s Governors General have been Freemasons as have 10 out of 25 Prime Ministers, since Federation.”
“Are these distinguished Australians now to be branded as ‘non-Christians’ by the Anglican Church,” asked Mr Lauer.
Mr Lauer added that “ I would also like to point out that Freemasons in this state alone each year distribute more that $1,000.000 to non-Masonic worthy causes, community initiatives and charitable organisations – irrespective of their connection to any Church Group.”
“ The world, as we have come to know it today, is undergoing very alarming, uncertain and chaotic times, fuelled mainly by religious fundamentalism.”
“Surely, is this civilised society the church’s role is to teach, love, compassion, unity and tolerance of one’s fellow man, and not to promote division, hatred, alienation and downright bigotry,” concluded Mr Lauer.
The issue apparently came about as one of vengeance, as a Masonic funereal rite had been performed in a particular parish, without the rector's knowledge. Quite a coincidence that the rector concerned was the mover of the resolution at synod.

(The 1988 discussion paper referred to in the resolution is attached to this email).

On hearing this, I was quite shocked. Of course, I knew that Rome had long-since proscribed Freemasonry, especially the continental variety that was radically anti-clerical. In the case of the Roman Catholics, for a period of about 20 years during the reign of the last Bishop of Rome, there was a perception of ambiguity, while local priests were left to decide what to do about Freemasonry until the Head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, aka the inquisition, a certain Joseph Ratzinger, clarified that there was no parish discretion allowed and that Masons were held to be in a state of grave sin, unable to take communion until resignation from the Lodge. I digress, because I was used to hearing this from the Vatican, along with innumerable conspiracy theories about links to Templars, world domination etc. But I had always believed that, firstly, English and Scottish Freemasonry did not have any such revolutionary or anti-clerical character as it has been portrayed in Europe, and secondly, that with membership including royalty, senior clergy, and all manner of men of good character from Sir Winston Churchill to Sir Isaac Newton to Sir Christopher Wren, to the poorest honest men in our community, that Freemasonry had been and continues to be one of the shining lights in our civilisation.

Far from leading to any deviation from Christian thought, Freemasonry teaches members to pursue their religion with utmost vigour, exhorting men to read their Bibles and to lead their lives by the book of their respective religion.

(It is acknowledged that Freemasonry, along with the West in general, is certainly having to deal with the arrival of adherents to a certain religious background that Masons of old would never have imagined would join their ranks; one that at its heart is antithetical to the foundations of our system of morality, but that the fraternity of Freemasonry may have a moderating, perhaps one day reforming, influence on adherents to that particular faith system, in so much as we judge a man on his merits and qualities as a man, not his religious background - this is a personal view).

Indeed, the founding family of the church mentioned at the beginning of this email were all Freemasons! It goes without saying that Freemasons have a long history when it comes to building churches.

I then telephoned the Synod office today and asked if the encouragement ‘to demonstrate [my] commitment to Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God as the sole way of salvation, by withdrawing from the Lodge’ constituted a threat of excommunication if I did not resign. I was informed that the Anglican Church does not excommunicate people in the way that Rome does. I was not set at ease. Rather, I feel I cannot return to my church without feeling unwelcome.

I then wrote to my parish priest, asking the same question. Since there is a divergence of modes of worship in the Diocese, from Evangelical to Anglo-Catholic (complete with devotions to Mary of Walsingham), whether there was any parish discretion in any matter relating to Freemasons. Perhaps the reason for the lack of response is that he is seeking guidance from the Bishop's office.

Since becoming a Freemason on the death of my last grandfather, I have read far more Scripture and religious literature than I did before I joined. Among such literature was a collection of articles of religion, based on Your Grace's writings, most relevant among which relates to the ‘Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation’. Indeed, while one may use other forms of devotion as aids to worship, they are not required. Likewise, Freemasonry has augmented the depth of understanding which I have derived from Holy Writ (as we refer to it). But it is still a secular organisation. It preaches no salvific doctrine (nor any other religious doctrine in fact). It does not preach salvation by works - the Diocese's chief criticism. If it vanished tomorrow, it would not have the slightest impact on the nature of grace and salvation. But it is not harmful to one's understanding of grace. It is not idolatry. It is no more anti-Christian than a Remembrance Day service or any other civic service. Ironically, these days in this particular Diocese, the only time one may hear the beautiful hymns of our childhood (such as ‘Abide with Me’, or ‘I vow to thee, my country’, is at such a civic-religious service. We had ‘I vow to thee..’ and ‘Jerusalem’ at our own wedding, but only because we requested it). Any other day it would be insipid, overhead projector rubbish from the 1970s.

So I would hear Your Grace's opinion on the proper relationship between Freemasonry and the Church, acknowledging that the craft was still mainly an operative stonemasons' guild during your reign as Archbishop of Canterbury, although one with a sacred mission, building churches and cathedrals of stone, whereas now they build cathedrals of men's mind and character. Of course, the relevance relates to your successor the Rt Rev Rowan Williams' views on Freemasons, during his tenure as Bishop of Monmouth and subsequent comments following the resignation from the Lodge of the new Bishop of Ebbsfleet.

If I do not receive satisfactory responses from my local church, ongoing attendance will be most difficult, if I am not to perjure myself with regards to one organisation or the other. I shall have to venture outside my Diocese to worship, the nearest town in the neighbouring diocese being ninety minutes' travel.

I thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Your humble communicant,

(name withheld to preserve anonymity)

His Grace was touched that this gentleman was eager to hear His Grace’s opinion on the proper relationship between Freemasonry and the Church. His Grace responded that he would be delighted to give it, but would put the matter to his loyal communicants, among whom is often found manifest wisdom, intelligence and discernment. Over to you.

Templars demand apology

From the Daily Telegraph...

The heirs to the Knights Templar have demanded an apology from the Vatican for the murder of their last leader, who was burned at the stake in the 14th century.

The last Grand Master of the warrior monks who fought in the Crusades, Jacques de Molay, was executed in Paris in 1314 on charges of heresy, black magic and idolatry.

His death was part of a concerted campaign to suppress the chivalric order by King Philip IV of France, who had grown suspicious of the Templars' power and envious of their wealth.

Although it was the French king who ordered de Molay to be put to death, the Templars have for centuries accused the Church in Rome of complicity.

Pope Clement V initiated an inquest into the order which led to many knights being subjected to heresy trials, before disbanding altogether.

The movement was reborn in the early 19th century as a charitable organisation and has branches around the world.

"There was an enormous degree of complicity because Clement V, who was Pope at the time, was under huge pressure from King Philip," Walter Grandis, 64, the current head or Grand Prior of the Knights Templar in Italy, told The Daily Telegraph.

"This was an appalling crime and a miscarriage of justice that the Church allowed to happen.

"We're asking for de Molay to be pardoned so that we can finally turn a page in history and work towards reconciliation," said Mr Grandis, who recently wrote a book on the order, called The Templars: The Real Secret.

A document found in the Vatican Secret Archives a decade ago revealed that Clement V absolved some Templars of heresy, but the Church has never apologised for the order's persecution.

The request for a pardon and apology was submitted to Dr Guzman Carriquiry Lecour, the under-secretary for the Pontifical Council for the Laity, a few weeks ago but will be discussed by modern-day Templars at a special conference in Turin on Friday and Saturday.

A Vatican spokesman said the request was being considered.

The inheritors of the Templar chivalric code have also launched a bid to rehabilitate de Molay, nearly 700 years after his death.

They achieved a small victory in March when a town in north-eastern Italy agreed to rename one of its squares in his honour.

A grand ceremony was held in Lusevera, a town in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region on the border with Slovenia, during which the new name - Piazzale Jacques de Molay - was unveiled. A sign commemorates the knight as "a martyr to free thought".

"It is the first time in Europe that de Molay has been recognised in this way," said Mr Grandis.

Watch for sale

This rather splendid watch is going under the hammer at Christie's in New York on June 15.

The catalogue description reads:

HIRAM WATCH CO. AN UNUSUAL 14K GOLD AND ENAMEL TRIANGULAR MASONIC KEYLESS LEVER WATCH
SIGNED HIRAM WATCH CO., MOVEMENT SIGNED ELGIN, NO. 25513317, CIRCA 1922
Nickel-finished lever movement signed Elgin and numbered, blue enamel dial with gilt Masonic symbols as the hour markers, the triangular case entirely decorated with Masonic imagery in relief, blue enamel G to the top, triangular-shaped bow, case and dial signed Hiram Watch Co.

It is extimated to sell for £1,000.

You're kidding

This cheeky cartoon is being sold by Trevor Vennett-Smith's saleroom in Nottinghamshire.

It is from the "Are You A Mason", National Series and is expected to fetch up to £25.

Who needs a daily advancement?

From the Daily Mail

Tests taken by an Amazonian tribe indicate that children understand the basic principles of geometry without an education.

Amazonian children in the Mundurucu tribe could solve basic problems with lines and points, suggesting that geometry skills are innate in humans.

According to a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the results show that abstract geometry may be learned naturally through day-to-day interaction with the world.

Researchers found eight children aged between seven and 13, as well as 22 adults from the Mundurucu tribe could identify the number of lines that can be drawn through two points, correctly complete unfinished triangles and estimate angles.

Their results were compared with equivalent tests on French and U.S. schoolchildren.

Basic geometric principles as most people know them were first established by the Greek mathematician Euclid about 2,300 years ago.

'Euclidean geometry' includes familiar tenets such as the fact that the angles of a triangle always add up to the same total, a line can connect two points, and that two parallel lines never cross.

The Amazonian tribe test results 'suggest Euclidean geometry, inasmuch as it concerns basic objects such as points and line on a plane, is a cross-cultural universal that results from the inherent properties of the human mind as it develops in its natural environment' according to the paper's authors.

Researchers said the control groups showed the same performance profile as the Amazonians, except for the American children, who were younger.

The researchers asked the children and adults questions about lines, planes, angles, triangles and spheres.

They were given sketches of lines and asked questions such as 'Can a line be drawn through two points?' and 'Can two such lines be drawn?'

All groups performed better at planar than spherical geometry, the study said.

Palastinian Arab is GM in Israel

A Palestinian Arab has been installed as the head of the Freemasons in the State of Israel.

Nadim Mansour, a Greek Orthodox, is the third Palestinian Arab to hold the office of Grand Master.

The country has 1,200 members in 56 lodges where ten languages are spoken and adherents practice five religions.

Disturbing news from the Church

This is taken from the Sunday Telegraph...


The Archbishop of Canterbury is at the centre of a row after it emerged he had appointed a Freemason to be a bishop.

Dr Rowan Williams named the Rev Jonathan Baker as the next Bishop of Ebbsfleet despite knowing he was an active and senior mason.

The appointment, announced earlier this month, marked a significant U-turn by Dr Williams who had previously said that Freemasonry was “incompatible” with Christianity and had refused to promote Masons to senior posts.

Last week, as news of Fr Baker’s membership of the Masons began to circulate through the Church, it provoked growing concern and criticism from clergy and members of the General Synod.

When contacted by The Sunday Telegraph on Friday, Fr Baker defended his continued membership of the Masons and insisted it was compatible with his new role as a bishop.

Yet yesterday he said he had changed his mind was leaving the masons so he could concentrate on being a bishop, adding: “I wish nothing to distract from the inauguration of that ministry.”

Freemasonry, a secretive male-only organisation dating back 300 years, requires its members to declare a belief in a “supreme being” and to undergo elaborate rituals.

Fr Baker joined the Apollo University masonic lodge in Oxford while he was a student, in an initiation ceremony that involves promising to keep the “secrets of Freemasonry”.

This ritual is said to involve members being blindfolded, wearing a hangman’s noose, and being warned that those who break the oaths of allegiance will have their throat slit and their tongue torn out before being buried in the sand.

He remained a member of the lodge for more than 20 years until his resignation yesterday, rising in the organisation to serve a term as an assistant Grand Chaplain.

Fr Baker, who is currently principal at Pusey House in Oxford, said he had told Archbishop Williams he was a mason when they discussed his appointment to be the next Bishop of Ebbsfleet – one of the “flying bishops” who oversee clergy opposed to women priests. The post had fallen vacant when its previous holder quit to join the Roman Catholic Church.

He said on Friday: “For many years I have been an active member and I continue to be a member. This came up in discussion with Rowan, but it has not caused a problem for me at any stage of my ministry and it won’t cause a problem now.”

He argued that it would not interfere with his role of overseeing traditionalist parishes and said he saw no conflict in being a bishop and a Freemason.

“I’ve never found it to be anything other than an organisation that is wholly supportive of the Church.”

However, yesterday he said: “I have concluded that, because of the particular charism of episcopal ministry and the burden that ministry bears, I am resigning my membership of Freemasonry.”

He said that in his conversation with Dr Williams about taking up the Ebbsfleet post, the Archbishop had asked him to reconsider his membership of Freemasonry, but was happy for the appointment to go forward while he was still a Mason.

Yet Dr Williams has previously expressed serious concerns about clergy being involved with the organisation.

In 2002, shortly before he became the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Williams wrote in a letter to Hugh Sinclair, of the Movement for the Register of Freemasons: “I have real misgivings about the compatibility of Masonry and Christian profession ... I have resisted the appointment of known Masons to certain senior posts.”

A year later he repeated this unease when he tried to apologise for upsetting Freemasons with his comments, saying: “Where anxieties exist they are in relation not to Freemasonry but to Christian ministers subscribing to what could be and often is understood [or misunderstood] as a private system of profession and initiation, involving the taking of oaths of loyalty.”

His senior advisers went even further at the time. “He questions whether it’s appropriate for Christian ministers to belong to secret organisations,” said The Rev Gregory Cameron, a close friend and former chaplain to Dr Williams. “He also has some anxiety about the spiritual content of Masonry.”

A spokesman for Dr Williams said at the time that he was “worried about the ritual elements in Freemasonry, which some have seen as possibly Satanically inspired and how that sits uneasily with Christian belief”.

He continued: “The other idea is that because they are a society, there could be a network that involves mutual back-scratching, which is something he would be greatly opposed to.”

Last night, Christina Rees, a member of the Archbishops’ Council, said: “The fact that Jonathan Baker has resigned as a Freemason suggests to me there is a serious incompatibility between the organisation and the Church. If it was only a matter of perception, surely he could have stuck it out.”

Her comments were echoed by Alison Ruoff, a prominent member on the General Synod, who said she had been stunned to learn of Fr Baker’s involvement with the Masons.

“I’m pleased to hear he’s resigned as a Mason because it is clear that the gospel does not go with masonic beliefs,” she said.

“I think Rowan should have said he could not be a bishop if he continued to be a Mason.”

The Rev David Phillips, general secretary of the Church Society, a conservative evangelical group, said: “The Church has said that Freemasonry is not compatible with Christianity so appointing him as a bishop seems to contradict its own stance.”

Lambeth Palace declined to comment.

The Order of the Pug

A bizarre but valuable snuff box commemorating a strange German fraternity in which the men pretended to dogs and barked as memebrs were initiated has emerged for sale.

The Order of the Pug was formed by Roman Catholics after the Pope in 1738 banned them from joining Freemasonry.

A series of pug-related items were made for the new order including this Schrezheim porcelain snuff box that is valued at a whopping 18,000 pounds.

It was made between 1761 and 1770 and measures just 9.3cm across and shows the crouching animal chewing on a bone, wearing a gilt-edged purple collar.

The cover was painted by Johann Andreas Bechdolff and the inside is decorated with a landscape scene depicting a figure facing a building across a gully.

After the Pope Clement XII's bull - Eminenti Apostolatus Specula - banned Catholics from Freemasonry men in Cologne are thought to have created their own organization.

Members were required to wear dog collars and had to scratch the door of the lodge to gain entry.

Initiates were said to have been blindfolded and led around a symbol-filled carpet nine times while other "pugs" would shout "Memento mori" - remember me.

The snuff box is one of a huge colection being sold by Bonhams that could make one million pounds.

The Helmut Joseph Collection includes 80 snuff boxes and they will be sold in London on July 5.

A spokesman from Bonham said: "These exceptional and exquisite objects were considered the pinnacle of refined 18th century court culture at its most luxurious and the collection has been exhibited in world-renowned institutions.

"Prolonged exposure to air causes snuff to dry out and lose its quality, so pocket snuff boxes were designed to be airtight containers with strong hinges, generally with enough space for a days worth of snuff only.

"The examples for sale at Bonhams come from what is without doubt the greatest collection of snuff boxes in the 20th century, formed by Helmut Joseph.

"Joseph began collecting boxes following the example of his father, who already has a substantial collection before WWII.

"A real connoisseur of early Meissen porcelain, he had a profound and intimate relationship with his subject, and a deep knowledge of the field.

"Helmut Joseph generously made his collection available to the public; he always showed an interest in sharing information, and indeed supporting the development of knowledge on ceramics, be it by funding museums, or publishing his own collection."

Masons light up India - literally

From the Times of India...

AHMEDABAD: For the first time, nights in this remote, dim village, 220-km from Ahmedabad will see light on Sunday. The 45 tribal families in Nalwas village, of Amiragadh taluka in Banaskantha will experience a lit-up house. The Freemasons of Lodge Fellowship, Ahmedabad has taken up the solar electrification of Nalwas. The project is part of Grand Lodge of India's initiative to light up 50 remote villages across India.

Nalwas has a population of 250 people who survive by tilting their small patches of land. The village doesn't have a proper access road. One has to walk kilometres to reach the village. In fact, the three youths of the village who have recently got cellphones, have to travel more than 20 km, which includes 5 km of tracking, to charge their phones. "We selected the village as the tribals were totally disconnected and had no life after 5 pm," said Rajiv Sethi, assistant regional grand master.

Hero killed

Among this auction lot is a Masonic jewel. It is very sad because the medals come with a letter from the soldier's chaplain explaining how he was killed while getting out of his trench in World War One.

It is being sold by Thomas Rodick and Medcalf in Carlisle and the description reads: "Pte. A. Charlton. Ches. R.; Death Plaque named to Arthur Charlton. With chaplain’s letter explaining how he was killed by shell fire exiting his trench. Also 2 photos of him, a Masonic jewel, & a filligree crowned Maltese Cross."

It is estimated to sell for about £100.

Al-Qaeda targets Fremasonry

From the National Post

As if it wasn't enough that they want to blow up all the "Crusaders" and "Zionists," now al-Qaeda has apparently chosen a new target: Freemasons.

A "secret" Canadian intelligence study newly released to the National Post describes how Islamist conspiracy theorists have seen the enemy and it is Freemasonry.

Islamist extremists and the Freemasons is the actual title of a Canadian Security Intelligence Service intelligence assessment distributed in December 2009.

It says extremist ideologues have taken Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and the Nicolas Cage film National Treasure as evidence of a conspiracy against Islam.

They have been telling youths that Freemasons are: anti-Muslim; have close ties to Israel; and have been conducting secret paramilitary operations in Europe.

While most rational thinkers can tell fact from fiction, CSIS warns that we should not have such high expectations for the cave-dwelling sages at al-Qaeda HQ.

"It is easy to dismiss belief in an all-powerful Freemasonry movement as akin to conspiracy theories prevalent on the Internet, fed by popular films and literature," it says.

"It is important to underscore, however, that these theories are consistent with the Islamist extremist common narrative: in this light, the Freemasons are believed to be taking part in attacks against Islam.

"This portrayal can serve as a useful contribution to the radicalization process.. Freemasons are thus seen as another of 'Islam's enemies' and their actions, real or not, used as justifications to respond with violence."

Manx Aprons

These interesting aprons are being sold by Murray's Ltd on the Isle of Man on April 27.

Parchment painting

This is a large double-sided circular Masonic parchment painting, according to the auction house selling it. It is titled "Peace and Plenty the reward of Temperance." The name attched is JOHN E LITTLEBOY and it is dated 1908. It is estimated tos ell for up to £160 when it is sold by Willingham Auctions in Cambridge.

Conspiracy theory from Iran

From the Iranian students' news agency...

The Secretary General of Iran's Olympic Committee Bahram Afsharzadeh said on Monday a freemasonry organization has designed London Olympic Games logo.

"We had to show protest against the measure. We intend to write a letter to Asian Olympic Council to call for them to follow up on the issue more seriously," he told ISNA.

The logo rcarried the word of "Zion". Some Muslim nations objected the issue after the symbol was unveiled, but objections were snubbed by local officials of the summer games and International Olympic Committee.

Afsharzadeh added some British people and different organizations in the country protested against the symbol as well.

"This is the first time that it has happened in the history of Olympic. Zionists have exercised influence in Britain and based on our information, designer of the summer games' logo has been a Zionist organization linked to freemasons," he said.