Description

George III. 1760-1820. Silver Medal n. d. (1780), 66.49 g. Fraternal Society: The Gregorians, Prelate's Badge of Office. Unsigned. A figure seated by a pyramid with scroll and globe, offers a sword to three members, the background a rising sun with zodiacal signs from Scorpio, Libra, Leo, Taurus and Virgo on band above, highly ornate floral and acanthus leaf border up to integral suspension loop. Rv. Engraved coat of arms of the Stephens family of Froxfield, Wiltshire. Without hallmarks or maker's marks. 99.5 x 73 mm. Eimer -. BHM -. Selten / Rare. Fast vorzüglich / About Extremely Fine.

From the auction Baldwin's of St James's 43, London, March 2020, lot 633.

The Gregorians were a fraternal organisation that grew up in parallel with Freemasonry in the 18th century. They were depicted by Hogarth as 'the Merry Gregs'. However, they were the victims of the Unlawful Oaths Act of 1797, introduced by a Government in fear of revolutionary groups that might overthrow the monarchy.

This act, and the unlawful Societies Act of 1799, outlawed societies that administered oaths. It also outlawed any organisations that held closed meetings and were organised into branches with national committees. The well-connected Freemasons managed to get exemption but the Gregorians who subscribed £80 17s towards 'the support of Government' in 1798, had no such luck and by the early 19th century they were no longer meeting.