Before a Lodge can be created a Warrant must be granted by The United Grand Lodge of England. This is an official document issued to authorize the formation of a Lodge and consequently acts as the pledge, or security, for the future activity of the Lodge. The Lodge of Unity’s warrant was granted on 15th October 1849 and a further centenary warrant was granted on 21st November 1949.
Click HERE to download a transcript of the original warrant
Click HERE to download a transcript of our centenary warrant
Transcript of the Original Warrant
To all and every right worshipful and loving brother , I, Thomas Dundas Earl of Zetland Baron Dundas of Aske in the County of York “GRAND MASTER” of the most Ancient and Honourable fraternity of free and accepted Masons of England send greetings, know ye, that by the authority and under the sanction of the United Grand Lodge of England vested in us for that purpose and in the humble petition of our right trusty and well beloved brethren Francis King, Samuel Gwinnett, Robert Modlin, Charles Harris, Joseph Bullock, Charles Stanley, William Hursee and others do hereby constitute the said brethren into a lodge of free and accepted masons under the Title or Denomination of No.828 The Lodge of Unity the said lodge to meet in the Bull’s Head Inn in the Borough of Warwick in the County of Warwick on the third Monday of every month, empowering them in the said lodge when duly congregated to make, pass and raise free masons according to ancient custom of the craft in all ages and Nations throughout the known World.
And further their said Petition and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the above named Brethren we do appoint the said Francis King to be the first Master, the said Samuel Gwinnett to be the first Senior Warden, and the said Robert Modlin to be the first Junior Warden for opening and the holding the said Lodge and until such time as another Master shall regularly elected and installed. Strictly charging that every Member who shall be elected to preside over the said lodge and who previously have duly served as Warden in a Warranted Lodge shall be installed in ancient form according to the Laws of the Grand Lodge that he may thereby be fully invested with the dignities and powers of his office
And we do require you the said Francis King to take special care that all and every the said brethren are or have been regularly made masons and that you and they and all other members of the said Lodge do observe, perform and keep the laws, rules and orders contained in the Book of Constitutions and all others which from time to time be made by our Grand Lodge or transmitted by us or our successor Grand Master or by our Deputy Grand Master for the time being and we do enjoin you to make such By-Laws for the government of your Lodge as shall to the majority of the members appear proper and necessary, the same not being contrary to or inconsistent with the general Laws and Regulations of the Craft, a copy whereof you are transmit to us or our successor Grand Master or to the Right Honourable Charles Anderson Worsley Pethan, Earl of Yarborough, Baron Yarborough, Baron Worsley – our Deputy Grand Master or to the Deputy Grand Master for the time being, at least once in every year a list of members of your Lodge and the names and the descriptions of all Masons initiated therein and the brethren who have joined the same, with the fee and monies payable thereon. It being our will and intention that this our Warrant of Constitution shall continue in force so long only as shall conform to the laws and regulations of our Grand Lodge. And you the said Francis King are further required as soon as convenient maybe to send an account in writing of what shall be done by virtue of these Pursuits Given under our hands by the Seal of the Grand Lodge at London this 15th October Anno Lucis 5849 Anno Domini 1849.
By command of the Most Worshipful Master Dundas. D.G.M. Yarborough