Bristol Masonic Ritual: The Oldest and Most Unique Craft Ritual Used in England [Paperback]

Charles E. Cohoughlyn-Burroughs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 6, 2004

Bristol Masonry is unlike anything seen elsewhere in England. In the first degree alone one witnesses unusual ceremonies and hears statements which will surprise even the well-read Mason. Have you ever heard "the Nile, the Ganges, the Euphrates, [and the] Mississippi" mentioned in an Entered Apprentice degree? How about "the immeasurable wilds of the scattered Indian tribes across the mighty Atlantic...the wandering Arabs, roaming tartars, or far distant Chinese"? Have you ever seen the "circle of swords," the "cup of affliction" or the "writing test" given to an Entered Apprentice? It is all here, and much more. As one of the most unusual rituals in the English language, Masons travel from all over the world to witness these fascinating ceremonies. Boasting what is probably the oldest Craft working in England, Bristol ritual retains aspects which are similar to the unpublished Irish workings, but also resembles Continental Masonry in some regards. Official or no, most English and Scottish rituals are available through booksellers, but copies of the Bristol ritual are difficult to come by, as the ritual has previously only been circulated in manuscript and typescript, and are frequently sold by used book dealers for as high as £60 per section. By this is meant that the ritual manuscript is divided into sections containing the parts of individual officers, few Brethren having a complete copy of the text. This book collates, for the first time, the entire ritual.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, LLC (May 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417915668
• ISBN-13: 978-1417915668
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,502,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent documentation of England's Oldest Masonic Ritual., December 7, 2008

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Noble Sir "Craftsman" (Korea) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bristol Masonic Ritual: The Oldest and Most Unique Craft Ritual Used in England (Paperback)

This book is only seventy four pages long and can easily be digested over coffee or tea in one evening by those Brethren who love to do comparative studies of Masonic ritual. The esoterica has been purposefully lefted out so this is not an expose, but more of a "ritual guide" for Bristol Freemasons. Following the First and Second Degree portions of the text there are examinations. American Freemasons, reading this book will give you a deeper appreciation for the variety of Masonry which is currently in use by our overseas Brethren and help to prepare you, while visiting overseas, for seeing or hearing ritual procedure which is not used in your own home jurisdictions. It is beautiful to hear of the Nile, the Ganges, the Euphrates, Wandering Arabs, the far distant Chinese, and the Mississippi in Masonic ritual. Well, it's all here for you to enjoy and marvel over in the pages of this book. Buy it today!! Highly recommended.