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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
The Manx Sun of 15 May 1840 reported the opening of the first Manx Court.
On Monday last a deputation from Liverpool of this ancient order, arrived here for the purpose of opening a Court in Douglas, which took place the same evening, when eighteen individuals were initiated. A Court was also held on the subsequent Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for a similar purpose, and upwards of of thirty have already been made.
The Foresters matched the Oddfellows in affiliated security, Christian values and convivial practices but appeared to outshine them in ritual and pageantry. An account of the Star of Mona Court's first anniversary (perversely held four months after its opening in May 1840 and reported in The Manx Star of 4 September 1840) made this point.
'The dress of the officers of the Order was most imposing, altogether throwing into the shade that of the Oddfellows. Foremost in the procession rode the Treasurer (Mr. William Creer) robed in a spotted skin dress, and bearing an enormous club, followed by the officers of the Order in red robes, each of whom had some emblem of the forest, such as axes, bows and arrows, and a horn; the whole wearing green sashes. In the middle marched the band, dressed in green with feathers; and slouched hats turned up in front, the whole brought up by three riders on horseback, from England, also grotesquely robed. The society marched in procession to the Mariners' Church, where an excellent sermon was preached by the Chaplain, ... After divine service the procession marched to the Castle Mona lawn, the Crescent, and through the principal streets, and the members afterwards dined together in the Wellington market room, where an excellent dinner was provided by Mr. John Procter, and where the greatest hilarity was kept up until late in the evening.
Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra
...
see Foresters' page
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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