The Order of Druids (OD) is a fraternal and benefit organisation founded in
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
, in 1858 after a schism with the
United Ancient Order of Druids
The United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) is a fraternal organisation founded in England, in 1833 after a scission with the Ancient Order of Druids. Its motto is ''United to assist''.
History
The creation in 1833 of the United Ancient Order of ...
. Its motto is ''integritas pro rupe nobis''.
History
The order's emblem is a Druid with a harp and a Celtic warrior with the national emblems of United Kingdom, Australia, India and the United States.
During the Victorian era, the most important section was the Sheffield Equalized Independent Druids.
Between the two World Wars, this society was one of the three main Druidic fraternal societies in the
British empire
The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts e ...
. It was very implanted in
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire, England, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it. The city serves as the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire a ...
and in the coalfields of
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
. After
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
and the generalization of the
welfare state
A welfare state is a form of government in which the state (or a well-established network of social institutions) protects and promotes the economic and social well-being of its citizens, based upon the principles of equal opportunity, equita ...
, it faded, and the last lodges closed during the 1970s.
[Victoria Solt Dennis, ''Friendly and Fraternal Societies: their badges and regalia'', London, 2008, p. 107-109.]
See also
*
Friendly society
A friendly society (sometimes called a benefit society, mutual aid society, benevolent society, fraternal organization or ROSCA) is a mutual association for the purposes of insurance, pensions, savings or cooperative banking. It is a mutual ...
*
Druidry (modern)
Druidry, sometimes termed Druidism, is a modern spiritual or religious movement that promotes the cultivation of honorable relationships with the physical landscapes, flora, fauna, and diverse peoples of the world, as well as with nature dei ...
*
Ancient Order of Druids
The Ancient Order of Druids (AOD) is the senior neo-druid order in the world, and the oldest in continuous existence. It was formed in London, England, in 1781. It is represented in England, Wales, Scotland and the Commonwealth of Nations. Its ...
*
United Ancient Order of Druids
The United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) is a fraternal organisation founded in England, in 1833 after a scission with the Ancient Order of Druids. Its motto is ''United to assist''.
History
The creation in 1833 of the United Ancient Order of ...
References
{{Reflist
Bibliography
*Ronald Hutton, ''Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain'', New Haven, Yale University Press, 2009.
*Victoria Solt Dennis, ''Friendly and Fraternal Societies: their badges and regalia'', London, 2008, p. 107.
Fraternal orders
Friendly societies of the United Kingdom
Neo-druid orders
Neo-druidism in Britain
Secret societies in the United Kingdom