Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte by hUUjUU
The Masonic connection
The key to understanding Jane Eyre is held in Freemasonry and the links between the Haworth branch of the masons, The 3 Graces Lodge No, 408 and Branwell Brontes membership of the brotherhood. Throughout the novel we find references and inferences to the practice of Freemasonry and it is as if Charlotte Bronte wanted to leave clues as to the deeper meaning of her book and the characters within. It is worth notong that an early manuscript written by Charlotte Bronte and containing references that appear to be the precursors to Jane Eyre has recently surfaced at Christie's auction house. Charlotte and Branwell wrote many of their stories together and it is not at all unlikely that this manuscript became Jane Eyre following it's re-writing and the addition of Masonic references by Branwell.
Clues in Jane Eyre
A most interesting book written with obvious knowledge that Charlotte Bronte should not have possessed. Women were not admitted to lodges at this time and the lodge brothers swore an oath on the pain of death to not reveal the rituals and secrets. Despite this we find in Jane Eyre obvious allusions to masonic symbology and practices. The most likely explanation for this is that earlier writings by Charlotte Bronte were used as a framework on which to build the novel Jane Eyre. Throughout the book Charlotte Bronte uses many allusions to and symbols of freemasonry and here we explore a couple of the more obvious ones. |
The 'Red room' seems to relate to the rituals undergone by new members of a masonic lodge. This can best be described as a death and re-birth ritual where the new member must undergo a terrifying experience before being reborn into the light of brotherhood. In Freemasonry the colour red represents the "ardor and zeal which should actuate all". The red room in Jane Eyre is the actuation of the story.
Miss Temple, the teacher at Roe Head. The Temple is the inner sanctum at a masonic lodge The use of the two globes at the school representing the celestial and terrestrial maps. These are found displayed prominently in most Masonic lodges Martha G the deceitful school child (The G in freemasonry represents the Grand architect of the universe, or geometry) and can be seen on numerous masonic pieces. Deceit or more accurately misdirection is an integral part of freemasonry practice in order to keep the secrets of the brotherhood secure from outsiders Bertha Mason, the mad women in the attic and the ritualistic wound she inflicts on her brother. St John Eyre Rivers (Aire River) is a clergyman who befriends Jane before it is discovered they are related. Saint John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist are both the patron saints of Freemasonry. St John the baptist is also highly venerated by the Knights Templar. Their feast days are June 24th and December 27th both of which are celebrated by masons. |
The presence of the 3 Brontë sisters in Haworth was not a synchronicity that was going to be lost on the members of the local 3 Graces Masonic Lodge. Death and rebirth play a central role in the rituals of freemasonry and they saw the opportunity to manifest, Golem like, their identity of the 3 daughters of the Greek god Zeus, through the daughters of Patrick Brontë (the name “Brontë” was chosen by Patrick Brunty to replace his surname. Brontë means 'thunder' in Greek)
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We know that Branwell Brontë was an active member of the 3 Graces lodge in Haworth rising past the 3rd degree of master mason and even becoming a founding mason of Duncombe Place Lodge in York, opposite the Minster. (The lodges in York were even involved recently in an 'Unbrotherly feud' as to who owned his apron !) As part of the research for these articles I was invited to the lodge of the 3 Graces to spend a day photographically documenting the lodge and the artefacts within. More information about the 3 Graces Lodge can be found here |
Branwell was initiated into the Lodge to allow the brotherhood to influence his sisters and in turn he gained access to some very powerful business and community leaders not least because the Lodge of the 3 Graces is a Knights Templar lodge. Being the original bankers the Knights Templar are of course intrinsically linked to the bank of England and Charles Montagu of Halifax, the lord of the treasury. It is also through this connection that Elizabeth Gaskell, the Bronte "biographer" may have been desirable to help cement the history that was being created by the brotherhood but more on her Templar connections later.
Moor Lodge is situated above ScarTop overlooking Haworth Moor on the main road between Colne and Haworth. It was once owned as the private shooting Lodge of sir Amos Nelson who built Gledstone hall near Skipton (the last palace). The area is called 'Two Laws' which refers to the two hills on either side known locally as 'Laws'. This route has been used for over a thousand years to carry people between the two counties and was the journey taken by Freemasons travelling between Barnoldswick and Haworth which sits further down the valley approximately 3 miles away. Moor lodge can also be reached on foot from Haworth over Enshaw knoll, past Top Withens, down through Ponden Kirk and past Silver Hill. A journey many Bronte fans will be very familiar with as it takes in many of the locations made famous in their books and was a common walk the Brontes would also have enjoyed.
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Originally built in the 17th century, it was used only very occasionally as a hunting lodge, the white sheets being removed from furniture and the household adornments dusted for the arrival of a select group of influential local businessmen. It was subsequently rebuilt, the top floor being removed and thatched before being restored approximately 100 years ago with reclaimed stone.
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Originally built in the 17th century, it was used only very occasionally as a hunting lodge, the white sheets being removed from furniture and the household adornments dusted for the arrival of a select group of influential local businessmen. It was subsequently rebuilt, the top floor being removed and thatched before being restored approximately 100 years ago with reclaimed stone.
The Knights Templar lodge in Haworth and Moor lodge were closely linked and this photograph taken around 1900 clearly shows the Knights Templar cross (or the cross of Lorraine) sited prominently on the roof. Unfortunately since this picture was taken, Moor Lodge has undergone renovations including the top floor being removed entirely before being recently restored to its original character. Records from Moor Lodge show the cross was removed in the 1953 and donated to St Michaels and all Angels Church in Haworth however the church claims that this occured around 1900 and the Templar cross was placed on the roof of the newly relocated Lodge of the 3 Graces (pictured). Although difficult to tell due to parallax, the 2 crosses do appear to differ in proportions. |
Incidentally some of the wooden panelling in Moor Lodge was made from the old pews that were removed from St Michaels church in Haworth in 1879. These were the original pews that were in use during the Bronte families residence there and were sold to Moor Lodge by James Ackroyd following the demolition of the church. The links between Haworth, the Knights Templar masonic lodge and the Bronte church are quite clear.
This Article is copyright hUUjUU 2011. Part of the story has now been adapted into a musical stage show. More info on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/huu.juu.7
with thanks to Lyn Cunliffe
with thanks to Lyn Cunliffe
Ferndean Manor website is copyrighted 2011 all enquires to [email protected]