On the 22nd March 2005 Terra Regis Council No.263, the seventh Council in the District of Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight was consecrated at Portland. The acting Consecrating Chaplain on that occasion was V.Ill.Comp. Keith B. Jackson, the distinguished Masonic scholar and author of many titles including ‘Beyond the Craft’. V.Ill. Comp. Jackson has kindly given his permission to reproduce the oration he gave…

“This morning we shall shortly participate in a devout and thought-provoking ceremony, one that harkens to ancient religious observances promulgated by Moses at the command of God, who demanded that his elder brother Aaron (assisted by his sons) should assume the important office of High Priest. As custodian of this exalted calling, he was required not only to oversee all ecclesiastical and sacrificial duties of the priesthood, but also to adjudicate in all civil matters – to preside in the Sanhedrim and administer justice to the people. In addition, he alone was designated to enter the sanctuary (the Holy of Holies, or Devir), and burn incense before the Lord on the day of solemn expiation, to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation.

Within the solemn ritual we shall witness today, one cannot ignore a distinct allusion to the Consecration of the Temple of the Lord at Jerusalem by King Solomon, a solemn duty the monarch undertook personally. There is little doubt that the ceremony has been devised to conjure in every mind, a genuine awareness of the great reverence that the Israelites held for their God; also, of the oblations they readily place before The Almighty on convenient occasion; mirrored in our enactment by the elements of Corn, Wine, Oil and Salt; our ceremonial being further enhanced by the burning of incense, a phenomenon emblematic of the prayers of the faithful, ascending direct to the throne of the Most High. We trust that collectively these aspects of devotion and supplication will be acceptable in the sight of God, and bring prosperity to those who implore his aid here today.

As many of you will recollect, after William the Conqueror had assumed control of England following his defeat of Harold, he found it necessary to establish the true extent and value of his newly acquired kingdom and consequently commissioned the Domesday Book in 1086. This enormous undertaking was somewhat eased by the fact that Saxon England was well documented; much of the land had been held IN DEED by his predecessor Edward the Confessor, and he in turn resolved to retain some 17% of his domain for himself as Terra Regis (i.e. King’s Land, or Land of the King). It was thus that the Isle of Portland was one of many tracts of England which were listed as Terra Regis, and this ancient medieval document made it evident that the 4½ mile long island was a most useful acquisition, as it embodied in excess of 8 acres of meadow and pasture, with some 150 inhabitants, owning 26 ploughs, 3 horses of burden, 27 pigs and 900 sheep – but most importantly, producing an income of £65 per annum. Understandably it was to remain in the possession of successive kings, which may have contributed to the Portlanders claim to a different ancestry to their neighbours on the mainland, and the manner in which they jealously preserved their own customs and traditions, including that of smuggling. Portland being one mass of stone, was destined to realise its true commercial value many centuries later, when extensive quarrying began in the late 17th century; with many famous buildings such as St. Paul’s Cathedral being built of stone from its vast quarries. In 1847 the Admiralty commenced construction of a breakwater with convict labour, and eventually Portland became a major Naval base, which remained until 1997.

It was in 1864 that Freemasonry (figuratively) landed on the island, when the Portland Lodge No.1037 was consecrated. This was to be followed four years later, by the formation of The Portland Mark Lodge No.133 in 1871. However, it was not until 1879 that the Portland Royal Arch Chapter was established on the island. From this strong Masonic basis a further Mark Lodge, The Naval & Military Lodge No.634 was formed in 1911, and in 1946 a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge was moored to its mother Lodge No.133. It must therefore be pleasing to all, to acknowledge that with the strong ties of its Naval tradition, Freemasonry on Portland has attracted a continuous line of dedicated brethren who have added kudos to its Masonic reputation.

It is therefore a particularly happy event today, with the inception of an Order which affords so much further insight into the Solomonic and Hiramic traditions upon which the Craft is founded. From this time hence, the brethren of this ancient isle will be able to enjoy an entirely new Masonic experience; to complete their Masonic education by the acquisition of knowledge of that vital link between the death of our Grand Master, and the recovery of the lost word within the Royal Arch. Here they will be enabled to investigate the mysteries of the ninth arch…which will surely shed upon them the clearest and most cheering rays… while their understanding will be delighted with further wisdom… and their hearts thereby warmed with benevolence.

We hope that today will be the fulfilment of a quest, for all who seek the shrine of Masonic truth; and that it will be a further landmark for Freemasonry on the Isle of Portland. With the formation of the Terra Regis Council No.263, of Royal & Select Masters may the island indeed become…Terra Regis Solomonis… the Land of King Solomon”.

3. Dedication of District Banner

4. Councils within the District

There are currently seven Councils within the District of Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight: