The Royal Arch Purple, properly the Grand Royal Arch Purple Chapter of Ireland, is an organization related to the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. It was re-constituted in 1911, with the explicit intentions of promoting the Reformed Faith, Charity amongst all men and maintaining historic Orangeism. It was granted its Royal title by the King Ernest Augustus I of Hanover, who was also the fifth son of King George the third (also the king of Hanover), and brother to King George IV. King Ernest Augustus I of Hanover was Grand Master of the Orange Order in England. The term "Arch" is used in the same way as "Archbishop" or "Archetypal", that is to say it means "chief". 'Purple' comes from the one of the colours, mentioned in the Bible, which were used to make the tabernacle (the others being Blue and Scarlet). Some state it is of Masonic origin although this has been repeatedly disproved, with overwhelming evidence proving the degree to be descended from the Orange Boy's of the Dyan (prevalet around the early 1790s), which in turn based their degrees on the early Boyne Societies which dated from the late 17th Century. The Royal Arch Purple Degree itself is constructed along Christian lines, with Christian faith, hope and charity being commended to the new brother. To be a Royal Arch Purpleman, one must be a professing reformed Christian, sober and temperate, not prone to cursing or swearing, and a faithful attender in his Church. Marksman for example within the Royal Arch Purple refers to the Israelites who marked the location of the Ark of the Covenant. The Royal Arch Purple Degree is presently established as a separate Order, in Ireland at least, and has over 30,000 members. The collarette of a Royal Arch Purpleman is a collarette of Orange and Purple in which the colour purple predominates.
Famous quotes containing the words royal, arch and/or purple:
“The Royal Navy of England hath ever been its greatest defence and ornament; it is its ancient and natural strength; the floating bulwark of the island.”
—William Blackstone (1723–1780)
“Men seem anxious to accomplish an orderly retreat through the centuries, earnestly rebuilding the works behind them, as they are battered down by the encroachments of time; but while they loiter, they and their works both fall prey to the arch enemy.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Even Lust the Master of a hardned Face,
Blushes if thou beest in the place,
To darkness’ Curtains he retires,
In Sympathizing Night he rowls his smoaky Fires.
When, Goddess, thou liftst up thy wakened Head,
Out of the Mornings purple bed,
Thy Quire of Birds about thee play,
And all the joyful world salutes the rising day.”
—Abraham Cowley (1618–1667)