Did the local Haworth Freemasons magically conjure up the Brontes ?
There is an enduring tale of diabolism and necromancy still discussed in hushed tones in the back rooms of taverns around Haworth village. The story seems to stem from a certain individual named Stephen Paslow, a prominent member of the Prince George 308 masonic lodge based at the White Lion public house at the top of Main Street, Haworth.
It would seem he was carrying on with dark business not approved of by other members and soon a rift was created between the brothers in the lodge. At this time Paslow began to hold meetings with a new group of Freemasons who travelled over the hills from Barnoldswick. It is approximately 40 miles between Barnoldswick and Haworth they were required to travel over the hills, along rough toll roads by the the light of the full moon (They were a full moon lodge). They were called the Three Graces Lodge and began to meet at the Black Bull public house, opposite the White lion. It must have seemed like a stand off between good and evil and it is recorded there was much animosity between the lodges.
The animosity between the 2 lodges continued, this village wasn't big enough for the both of them, and the Three Graces Lodge won. Prince George lodge were forced to move to Hebden Bridge (where they remain today). The Three Graces are a Knights Templar lodge and remain in the village to this day although they are not as involved in village life as they once were.
This was 1807 - 9 years before the first of the Bronte siblings was born in Thornton and 13 years before they moved to Haworth.
The name “Brontë” had been chosen by Patrick Brunty to replace his surname. Brontë means 'thunder' in Greek and Patrick was seen as Zeus, god of thunder. The 3 daughters of Zeus are known as the 3 Graces, the sacred females that the masonic lodge was named after. The Freemasons had manifested, golem-like, the graces' metaphorical identity as the flesh and blood Bronte sisters, and Branwell could even be seen as a bonus, Apollo like figure. He was quickly recruited into the Three Graces Lodge when he turned 18 and very swiftly rose to Master Mason and led to him being a founding member of Duncombe Place Lodge in York, opposite the minster.
Throughout many cultures, history is replete with the concept of 3 metaphysical female figures. It is an added layer of mysticism that can be rightly imposed on Emily, Charlotte and Anne. One of the important aspects of Freemasonry is the use of the number three. From the very first introduction to Masonry (Three knocks at the door) to the three step gesture, three times at a grave by two men and a third, three degrees to master mason, 33 degrees in all and so on. There are also obvious allusions to the trinity and we can see why the 3 Brontë sisters were such an appealing subject to them.
For many years the Three Graces lodge coveted and protected the Bronte legacy even to the point of managing the Bronte society until the second half of the 20th century. There own publications contain tantalising hints that they may have been instrumental in both guiding the content of some of the early novels, and ensuring the commercial success of the siblings.
Whether the Three Graces lodge actually conjured up the Brontes or if they merely seized upon the synchronous opportunity of embracing the archetypal family, we may never know but there are hints in both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre that all may not have been as it seems....
It would seem he was carrying on with dark business not approved of by other members and soon a rift was created between the brothers in the lodge. At this time Paslow began to hold meetings with a new group of Freemasons who travelled over the hills from Barnoldswick. It is approximately 40 miles between Barnoldswick and Haworth they were required to travel over the hills, along rough toll roads by the the light of the full moon (They were a full moon lodge). They were called the Three Graces Lodge and began to meet at the Black Bull public house, opposite the White lion. It must have seemed like a stand off between good and evil and it is recorded there was much animosity between the lodges.
The animosity between the 2 lodges continued, this village wasn't big enough for the both of them, and the Three Graces Lodge won. Prince George lodge were forced to move to Hebden Bridge (where they remain today). The Three Graces are a Knights Templar lodge and remain in the village to this day although they are not as involved in village life as they once were.
This was 1807 - 9 years before the first of the Bronte siblings was born in Thornton and 13 years before they moved to Haworth.
The name “Brontë” had been chosen by Patrick Brunty to replace his surname. Brontë means 'thunder' in Greek and Patrick was seen as Zeus, god of thunder. The 3 daughters of Zeus are known as the 3 Graces, the sacred females that the masonic lodge was named after. The Freemasons had manifested, golem-like, the graces' metaphorical identity as the flesh and blood Bronte sisters, and Branwell could even be seen as a bonus, Apollo like figure. He was quickly recruited into the Three Graces Lodge when he turned 18 and very swiftly rose to Master Mason and led to him being a founding member of Duncombe Place Lodge in York, opposite the minster.
Throughout many cultures, history is replete with the concept of 3 metaphysical female figures. It is an added layer of mysticism that can be rightly imposed on Emily, Charlotte and Anne. One of the important aspects of Freemasonry is the use of the number three. From the very first introduction to Masonry (Three knocks at the door) to the three step gesture, three times at a grave by two men and a third, three degrees to master mason, 33 degrees in all and so on. There are also obvious allusions to the trinity and we can see why the 3 Brontë sisters were such an appealing subject to them.
For many years the Three Graces lodge coveted and protected the Bronte legacy even to the point of managing the Bronte society until the second half of the 20th century. There own publications contain tantalising hints that they may have been instrumental in both guiding the content of some of the early novels, and ensuring the commercial success of the siblings.
Whether the Three Graces lodge actually conjured up the Brontes or if they merely seized upon the synchronous opportunity of embracing the archetypal family, we may never know but there are hints in both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre that all may not have been as it seems....