Manor of Ashley Celebrates 50 Years

2012 marked the  50th anniversary of the Manor of Ashley Lodge, which was named after Walter de Ashley, which for his part in supporting Matilda, as Queen of England in 1143, he received land at Charlton Kings, where the Manor of Ashley Lodge originally met.

Sword dedication
Earlier in the year, the Provincial Grand Master dedicated a medieval style, one-and-a-half hander Lodge Sword.

Engraved on one face was “In Memory of Jackie Moles ~ Happy have we met, Happy did we part, For happy shall we meet again.”

It was tradition in early English times to give a personality to a weapon.

At its dedication the Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Adrian Davies stated that this Sword was to be called ‘Jackie’ in memory of Mrs Jackie Moles, who had given extensively of her own time and skills not only in producing the banner and other lodge furniture, but also as a worldwide dinner-party speaker, in which she promoted Freemasonry.

During these addresses, she frequently drew out stories of Freemasons connected with the appropriate geographical area, such as Churchill, Kipling, Scott and Shackleton, catching the attention of both masons and non-masons alike.

On the other Sword face is the same message in 12th century English;

“1143 AD Selie We Unc Imetten, Selie We Unc Idelden, For Selie Sculen We Eft Unc Imeten.”

The Sword is displayed in a cabinet at the head of the main staircase at the Masonic Building in Portland Street Cheltenham.