‘2027 Cambridge Conference plans’

    

Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 (EC) is the first Masonic lodge of research, having been set to labor 140 years ago. At this time, there are only forty-one members, of whom five are American. Adam Kendall of California will be installed in the East on November 12.

The plan is coming together for Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076’s Cambridge Conference next year. The details—theme, speakers, registration, etc.—are posted, so make plans for the first weekend of September 2027. From the publicity:

Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076

Cambridge Conference

‘Rituals: Pasts & Present’

September 3-5, 2027

Queens’ College, Cambridge

Click here

The 1720s and early 1730s saw the introduction of radical new Masonic ritual, with the Second Degree reflecting the emergence and incorporation of Enlightenment values and the Third Degree introducing the Hiramic legend. Other degrees and degree systems followed over succeeding years and decades. Notwithstanding this, in many jurisdictions there is a belief that ritual is in some manner immutable and not open to change.

This Conference outlines why that has not been and is not the case. 2027 marks the approximate tercentenary of the introduction of Third Degree and the anniversary provides an opportunity for our speakers, panellists and delegates to discuss, debate and contextualise the evolution of Masonic ritual in Britain, Ireland, Europe, America and elsewhere.

We have a slate of world-class speakers and papers that cover the Blue Degrees, the Royal Arch, European rituals, the Swedish and Scottish rites, and much more. This is the first occasion on which such a breadth of topics will be considered and debated and promises to be a fascinating and ground-breaking event.

Queens’ College

The Mathematical Bridge, built 1748-49.

The venue, Queens’ College, Cambridge, is also outstanding. Queens’ was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou and spans the River Cam with the Mathematical Bridge. Its alumni include Erasmus, who studied at the college from 1506-15.

Queens’ College

Old Hall was built in 1449 as an original part
of the college.

Accommodation is available in College and we will have access to both the College Bar and dining facilities. The Conference Dinner on Saturday evening will be preceded by a drinks reception in the Old Hall. The dress code for the weekend is relaxed smart/casual, albeit with a jacket and tie, or suit, or dress, for the Conference Dinner and Reception. Partners are welcome to attend, as are all members (and non-members) of QCCC. A range of books and regalia will be available courtesy of Lewis Masonic.

Please diarise the Conference, which will be exceptional. And book here for a great few days.

Speakers to include:

Dr. Ric Berman,

Conference Chair

Ric Berman researches, writes and speaks on eighteenth and nineteenth-century English, Irish and American history, with an emphasis on Freemasonry, the largest and most consequential society in Europe and America. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, the author of numerous journal articles and ten books, and has delivered keynote lectures worldwide. Ric holds an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and the University of Exeter, respectively, and undertook post-doctoral research at the University of Oxford’s Modern European History Research Centre. A Freemason for more than forty years and twice Prestonian Lecturer, Ric is a Past Master of three English Lodges including Quatuor Coronati, and chairs QCCC. He is also an American Freemason, a member and honorary member of lodges in seven states, a Blue Friar, and a Fellow of the Philalethes Society. 

Professor Jan Snoek

Jan Snoek’s presentation provides an overview of the current state of academic research into the development of the Masonic degree system in the first half of the 18th century. It traces the development of ritual from a single degree in Scotland and England, into two degrees in both Scotland and London, then three degrees in London; the subsequent appearance of the Scots Master’s Degree in London and its spread to France and Germany; and finally, the development of a ‘Royal Arch’ degree in Paris and its expansion to England. Jan was awarded a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Leiden University, the Netherlands, in 1987 for a thesis on initiation rituals. From 2000 until his retirement, he worked as a ritual specialist at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, where he illustrated his publications on ritual theory with examples from Masonic rituals. He is the author of more than 100 publications on Masonic rituals, including “The Early Development of the Degree of Scots Master in Germany and Neighboring Countries.” He was initiated in 1971 and has been an active Freemason since.

Robert Cooper

Bob Cooper will examine and seek to shed light on the origins of the Third Degree and will suggest that these lie in Scotland. Bob also will provide the context to this argument, including a brief history of Scotland at that time and its national network of lodges. Bob is the former Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, having served for some thirty years from 1994. He is the author of numerous books and articles on all aspects of Freemasonry and has appeared in several television and radio programs. He was initiated in The Lodge of Light 1656 and is a Founder Member and a Past Master of Lodge Edinburgh Castle 1764. He also is a Past Master of Sir Robert Moray 1641, the premier Scottish lodge of research, and of Quatuor Coronati 2076.

Leif Endre Grutle

Leif’s paper looks at the origins and development of the Swedish Rite, a unique set of rituals practiced across the Nordic countries. Leif was born in Bergen, Norway, and graduated from the Norwegian School of Theology in 1998 as Candidatus Theologiae, a degree ranking between Master and Ph.D. in Theology. He took holy orders in 2001 and worked as provost in the Church of Norway. Leif was initiated in 2004 into the Norwegian Order of Freemasons and is Knight & Commander with the Red Cross, the XI and last degree of the Swedish Rite. He joined Niels Treschow Lodge, the research lodge of the Order, in 2012, and served as Master from 2017-23. He is co-editor of Acta Masonica Scandinavica, the annual transactions of Scandinavian Masonic research, and his research has been published in both this and other publications, including AQC and Heredom.

Lucio Artini

Lucio’s research focuses on the relationship between Freemsonry, politics and the Catholic Church, and his presentation (with Martino Cartella), will explore this theme. Lucio was born in Arezzo, Italy in 1960, and holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Florence. He has written articles for L’Uomo and Officinae and in 2014 published “Beato Gregorio X il Papa Crociato: il Papa templare?” He has spoken at conferences globally, including those organized by Quatuor Coronati and ICOM, and is a member of the Loggia Lorenzo il Magnifico 52, Florence; and Mount Sinai Lodge 8993, London. The paper will be delivered by co-author, Martino Cartella.

Jay Hochberg

Jay’s paper examines the links between Thomas Reid, William Preston and the (American) Fellow Craft Degree. Jay is a Freemason under the Grand Lodge of New York and celebrates his thirtieth anniversary in the fraternity in 2027. A Past Master of two research lodges, in New York and New Jersey, he has written about Freemasonry for both Masonic and the general media, and has spoken before Masonic and general audiences for twenty-five years. Outside the fraternity, he is an editorial professional, having regressed from award-winning journalist to political press secretary to his current grind as a freelance copywriter/editor, which he somehow rationalizes is a legitimate use of his BA in Journalism from New York University.

Erich Huhn

Erich’s paper aims to bring a new understanding to the way Freemasonry developed in the United States, not out of whole cloth but through the ritualistic innovations of appendant/concordant bodies and Grand Lodge committees. Erich is a Ph.D. candidate in History & Culture at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. His research focuses on the way Freemasonry and fraternal organizations helped reinforce middle-class values and are used as tools of social “placing” throughout the long nineteenth century. Erich has written New Jersey’s Masonic Lodges (Arcadia Publishing, 2019); he is Secretary of New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786; Senior Warden at The American Lodge of Research, New York City; and QCCC Local Secretary to New Jersey.

Jan Paulus

Jan examines the role of Irish Freemasonry during the period of political upheaval that accompanied the outbreak of the Irish Civil War and the early years of the Irish Free State. Jan is studying for a Ph.D. in History at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge. He holds an MPhil in Internatonal History from Trinity College, Dublin; and a BEd in History and English from Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz.

Dr. Victor Serafimov

Victor’s paper examines how different ritual traditions have been transmitted, adapted and sometimes combined across Eastern Europe. Bulgaria is one example, where the Schröder/AFAM tradition is predominant alongside Emulation and Scottish-derived workings. He also looks at comparisons in Turkey, Hungary and other European jurisdictions. Victor is the 2026 winner of the Norman B. Spencer Prize. He is a member and Orator of Lodge Vitosha 121; and a member of Lodge Quatuor Coronati 40, both under the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria, and is the Local Secretary for QCCC. Victor holds a Doctorate in International Public Law from Southwest University; a Masters in Law from Sofia University; a Diploma in English and European Law, University of Cambridge; and an MBA, American University in Bulgaria. He runs a Strategic Advisory Consultancy and is an Adjunct Law Professor at the American University in Bulgaria and a former board member of Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio.

Daniel Stanford

Dan’s paper provides a commentary on the Irish Royal Arch Degree and a history of its evolution. Dan is a Past Master of Corinthian Commercial Lodge 245, and currently a Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and elected member of the Grand Lodge of Instruction of Ireland. He is also active in Mark and Royal Arch Masonry, and other orders in Ireland.

Dr. Mike Kearsley

Mike takes a personal look at the Royal Arch and how it is often misunderstood, where it is understood at all. Mike was born in Lancashire and lived in New Zealand for many years before returning to the UK. He returned to NZ once again in 2020. Mike was initiated into Freemasonry in Hawera Lodge, Taranaki, NZ, and passed and raised in Mairehau Lodge, Christchurch, NZ. In the UK, he joined David Bonner Lodge, the musicians lodge of the Province of Middlesex, becoming Master in 2010 and thereafter Secretary. He is also a member of Temple of Athene Research Lodge (Master, 2013) and Quatuor Coronati. Mike is a prolific researcher and author, a past Provincial Grand Orator for Middlesex, and in 2011 was awarded the Norman B. Spencer Prize. He was appointed Prestonian Lecturer in 2014 and ANZMRC’s Kellerman Lecturer in 2019. He is also a former editor of The Square.

Ben Williams

Ben’s paper will examine the evolution and purpose of the York and Scottish rites, and their impact in America. Born in England but living and working in the US, Ben is a Past Master of Norwood Lodge 111 and Telluride Lodge 56, and currently serves as Secretary for the Research Lodge of Colorado. He is very active in both the York and Scottish rites, as well as numerous appendant bodies and orders. A Past Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Colorado, he has also served as the Chair of the Grand Lodge Education Committee for six years. Ben is an Intellectual Property and Patent Attorney based in Denver and Los Angeles. He is the founder of Williams Intellectual Property, Inc., a firm he established in Denver in 2012, and expanded to Los Angeles in 2022, when he became a registered patent attorney admitted to the California Bar. In 2026, he joined Fabian VanCott (est.1874) as intellectual property counsel.

Click here to register for the conference, the ensuing reception and dinner, and even accommodations at the college. Questions? Write here.

(Listen, I know I don’t belong in this company. You think I don’t know that? I know that. But it’ll be okay. While I have spoken on this subject several times in the New York City area the past two years, what I’m writing for next September will be more detailed and will have greater context. It’ll be written before the April 1 deadline, so I’ll have months to prepare for the oral delivery. It’ll be okay. Right? Tell me it will be okay!)