Ancient Order of Druids
Movement | Active
1781 CE to 2215 CE
The Ancient Order of Druids (AOD) is a fraternal organization founded in London, England in 1781 that still operates to this day.
It is the earliest known English group to be founded based upon the iconography of the ancient druids, who were priest-like figures in Iron Age Celtic paganism.
As such, the Order is an early influence upon the development of the Neo-druidic movement, however it differs from most contemporary Neo-druidic groups in that it does not hold to a Neopagan religion, and is "not a religious organisation—n fact any discussion on religion or politics is forbidden within the lodge rooms"
Instead its members are expected "to preserve and practise the main principles attributed to the early Druids, particularly those of justice, benevolence and friendship."
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However, it is known that it was founded in 1781 in London, and it arises at a time when the idea of voluntary societies and clubs is becoming particularly popular in the country, with the historian Peter Clark stating that around one hundred and thirty different types of club had come into existence.
The historian Ronald Hutton notes that two pre-existing Welsh clubs, the Druid Society, which was based on Anglesey, and the Society of the Druids of Cardigan, had already been founded in the previous decades, basing their names and some of their iconography upon what was then believed about the ancient druids.
By the 1920s, two different stories will circulate among members of the Order regarding its foundation.
The first holds that it was created by a group of friends who were merchants and artisans who liked to regularly meet at the King's Arms tavern just off Oxford Street in the West End of London.
To keep out unwanted intruders, they became a formal society, and chose to adopt the name of the druids at the suggestion of one of their members, a Mr. Hurle, who had a particular interest in the ancient druids.
The second story held that the group of friends who met at the King's Arms decided, after the death of one of their number, to form an organization to honor his memory by raising a fund to provide his bereaved mother with enough money to live.
Hutton notes that the second account is "of course, perfectly compatible with the first" but that he believed it to be less likely for there was no known source for it prior to the 1920s.
However it was founded, it is known that the first leader or "Archdruid" of the group was the aforementioned Mr. Hurle, who the historian Wilhelm North will posit, in a 1932 pamphlet, had actually been Henry Hurle, a wealthy carpenter, surveyor and builder who worked at Garlick Hill in London.
Meanwhile, a plaque is now found on the wall of the King's Arms inn stating that the Order was founded there.