Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons - Memorial Wood - Bradgate Park, Leicestershire - Coats of Arms on Waymarking.com

Freemasons Provincial Grand Lodge Shield of Leicestershire and Rutland on a plaque outside the Memorial Wood, Bradgate Park.

"The current Coat of Arms was adopted by the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland in 2000 being only the second Provincial Grand Lodge to be granted Arms by the College of Heralds. Letters Patent were dated 1st March 1999 and granted pursuant to Warrant of the Earl Marshal on the 9th September 1997.

Each Provincial Shield is identical except for a unique bordure so that we are united with all our sister Lodges throughout the country. The centre of the shield is the Coat of Arms of the United Grand Lodge of England and is formed from an amalgamation of the former shields of the Premier and Antients Grand Lodge. The three Towers and Compasses on the left denote the Mason's work, whilst they both represent his labour. The compasses are not only an instrument for assisting in the drawing of plans for the building but also, as we well know in Masonic Symbolism, for reminding us of the Great Architect's, unerring impartial justice, who having defined for our instruction the limits of good & evil; will reward or punish as we have obeyed or disregarded his divine commands.

The unique bordure is of Heraldic emblems that are associated with two Counties of Leicestershire and Rutland. These emblems are the cinquefoils, horseshoes, acorns and the Lion of DeMontfort. This bordure can be explained further by examining each of the symbols:

The ermine cinquefoil charged on a red field was used by the Beaumont Earls of Leicester; the double-tailed (sometimes forked – queue fourchée) silver lion the two Simons de Montfort, father – Earl of Leicester (c. 1208-1265) – and his second son; the white ostrich feather was one of the personal badges of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, KG (1340-1399); and the black maunch or sleeve is taken from the Arms of the Earls of Huntingdon, a branch of the Hastings family, and borne also by William, Lord Hastings, KG, 1462.

The horseshoe represents the history of the County of Rutland and it’s hunting association, particularly due to the unique collection of horseshoes presented by Royalty, Peers of the Realm, and Noblemen passing through the County, which hang on the walls of the famous Castle Hall at Oakham. The acorn exemplifies the former forest land, which at one time covered much of the County, especially on the south side. It can also be interpreted as standing for ‘smallness and importance.’"

SOURCE - (visit link)

The wood is one of a number of projects in Leicestershire and Rutland that has been supported to mark the 300th anniversary of the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1717.

Opened in October 2017, Memorial Wood is an area of woodland to the side of the accessible carriage way that crosses the Park. It offers a tranquil setting overlooking Cropston Reservoir and is reached by a natural stone path.

Bearer of Coat of Arms: Church / knight orders Full name of the bearer: Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons Where is Coat of Arms installed (short description) ?: Plaque outside Memorial Wood, Bradgate Park Material / Design: Cast metal Address: Memorial Wood Bradgate Park Leicestershire England Web page about the structure where is Coat of Arms installed (if exists): [Web Link] Web page about the bearer of Coat of Arms (if exists): [Web Link] Blazon (heraldic description): Not listed

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