Bladud Preceptory No. 40

Installation Meeting

 Thursday before Last Friday in November

Regular Meetings 

Thursday before Last Friday in February, and

Thursday before Last Friday in April

All Meetings start at 6.30 p.m

Eminent Preceptor

E.Kt. Richard W Sweet - Installed November 2023

Principal Contacts

• Registrar: E.Kt. Julian May
• Almoner: E.Kt. Ian Cox

Officers 

• Chaplain E.Kt. Ian P Cox 
• 1st Constable E.Kt. William Whitehead
• 2nd Constable E.Kt. Trevor J E Quartermaine
• Treasurer E.Kt. Michael A Mercer
• Registrar E.Kt. Julian T May
• Marshal E.Kt. Angus J Rhodes
• Deputy Marshal E.Kt. Geoffrey S Ifill
• Almoner E.Kt. Ian P Cox
• 1st Herald Kt. Richard H Simmerson
• 2nd Herald E.Kt. Richard P Ferris
• Standard Bearer (B) Kt. John P Mellon
• Standard Bearer (VB) Kt. Nigel J Kent
• Captain of Guards E.Kt. Patrice-A Coles
• Guard E.Kt. Roger F Brockington

According to ancient legend, the origin of the City of Bath  goes back to about 860 B.C. when Prince Bladud, son of Hub Hubris, King of Britain, caught leprosy whilst on a visit to Greece; was banished from the royal court, and obtained employment as a swineherd. His pigs suffered from a skin disease but were cured after wallowing in pools of warm mud. The Prince followed them in and he, too, was eventually cured. He returned to court and, after becoming King, founded, a settlement on the site of the healing pool.

Such is the generally accepted form of the legend, although readers of Dickens will be aware of a somewhat more fanciful alternative to be found in Pickwick Papers.

In any event, the Prince gave his name to the Encampment consecrated on the 19th November 1852. The ceremony of consecration was conducted by the Provincial Grand Commander for Staffordshire, Sir Knight G. Vernon. It is noted , however, that Col.Charles Kerneys Kerneys Tynte was at this time the Provincial Grand Commander of the Provincial Grand Conclave of Somersetshire.

The Preceptory which, during its long and distinguished history has numbered amongst its members three Brother Knights who have served the Province either as Provincial Grand Commander or as Provincial Prior, celebrated its centenary meeting on 26th March 1953, when a “short account of extracts from the minutes of the last 100 years” was presented. Subsequently, the Preceptory received its centenary warrant from the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, The Right Honourable Lord Harris at the meeting of Provincial Priory on 1st July 1953, when the present Province of Somerset was inaugurated.

The Preceptory banner, which depicts the Prince, was dedicated by the R.E.Provincial Prior at the meeting held on 25th February 1988.