Finding Aid for the Manuscript book of druidic ritual, procedure, and music ARC Mss 98

Andrew Harman, 2024.

UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections

4/23/2024

University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara 93106-9010

Phone Number: (805) 893-3062

special@library.ucsb.edu

URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections

Contributing Institution: UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections

Title: Manuscript book of druidic ritual, procedure, and music

Identifier/Call Number: ARC Mss 98

Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet (1 card box)

Date: undated

Abstract: This collection contains one book, a primary source document of druidic rituals.

Physical Description: The cover is a dark olive green leather with embossed initials ('GF' possibly indicating earlier ownership) in the top left hand corner. At one point in time the approximately 120 page book had a catch, which is now absent, but this does not effect the visual attractiveness of the book. Approximately 6-7 inches tall.

Language of Material: English .

Container: 1

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase, Katz Fine Manuscripts, 2023.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Manuscript book of druidic ritual, procedure, and music, ARC Mss 98. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Content Description

This collection contains one book, a primary source document of druidic rituals. From the dealer's description:

Relic of early 20th Century Druid culture and ceremonial knowledge. This beautiful full leather 7.25 x 5 inch book filled with procedures, music and ceremonial methods is believed to have belonged to Brother R.T. Crosoer, PGA, an editor of Druid publications and a well respected and recognised member of the Druid community in Britain. The book is dated January 29th 1901 based on a tipped in newspaper cutting regarding the re-opening of the Royal Arch Chapter in Maidstone. Entirely handwritten by an unknown writer in a lovely, tight calligraphic hand the first section is entitled "OPENING THE CHAPTER" and sets out the finer details of the ceremony. There is also beautifully annotated musical score on a number of pages - with tunes entitled Arise, Brothers, Arise - Music by R.G. Hooper. The next section is entitled "CLOSING THE CHAPTER" - again with details of the ceremony and more musical annotations. Headings include: INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS; EXALTATION CEREMONY; THE CHARGE; CEREMONY TO FOLLOW AN EXALTATION; THE CATECHISM OF THE DEGREE; DEDICATION CEREMONY; SUPREME ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER "CEREMONIAL"; CONSERRATION CEREMONY plus.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and may be retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.