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APPRENTICE BOYS OF DERRY
During the years leading up to the siege there were events happening through out Ireland and Britain, which were making the Protestants in Ulster feel nervous. In England the Catholic King James had been replaced with the Protestant King William. In an attempt the take back the throne James came to Ireland to gather support. His supporters had vowed to kill anyone who supported King William, which included most Protestants in Ireland. The people of Londonderry thought that the threats were going to be carried out when the Protestant regiment was ordered to leave, to be replaced with a Catholic regiment. These threats along with rumours about a massacre of Protestant, made the Protestants of Londonderry fear for their lives. In the days before the closing of the gates all their fears seemed to be confirmed by an anonymous letter, which warned that the Irish were preparing to kill all Protestants on the 9th of December, news of this letter arrived in Londonderry on the 7th, a day before the Catholic Redshanks arrived at the city.

The moment of crisis was at hand, for the watchers on the walls could see the Redshanks had reached the Waterside and were begining to come across the river. Two officers came up to the gates and were admitted, they presented their warrent, demanding that they be allowed into the city. However a technical defect in the warrent enabled the sheriffs to argue about the matter. While this was going on a few of the younger men decided to act. This is best described by Captain Ash's words : "While we were in this confused hesitation, on the 7th December 1688, a few resolute Apprentice Boys determined for us." There were thirteen Apprentice Boys, all with English and Scotish names who haven't been forgotten to this day. These thirteen young men drew their swords, ran to the main guard and seized the keys, they ran down to Ferryquay gate to raise the drawbridge and close the gates in the astonished faces of Antrim's men, only 400 yards away.

Although the gates were shut on 7th December, the event is celebrated on 18th December. Traditionally, on the 18th December the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade around the city centre. The parade ends with the burning of an 18 foot effigy of Lundy The Traitor.

The order to relieve the city came from a German called Friedrich Hermann Schomberg. He was King William's second in command during the expedition to England. He had a personal interest in Londonderry, as his son, Captain Schomberg, was serving in the city. Schomberg wrote to Kirk from Whitehall, on July 3rd, ordering him to find out "whether it may not be possible to break the boom and chain and to pass with ships, and that you attempt the doing of it for the reliefe of the town." Faced with these orders, Kirk could delay no longer and "with a great deal of privacy, ordered three ships to be laden with provisions, with forty musketeers in each." These ships were the 'Phoenix' of Coleraine, a fifty tonner commanded by a Glaswegian called Andrew Duncan; the 'Jerusalem', of about the same size was commanded by Captain Reynell. The third ship was the famous 'Mountjoy' of Londonderry. The Mountjoy was the largest at 130 tonnes and was commanded by Captain Michael Browning, a native of Londonderry. These three ships were escorted by Their Majesties ship, the 'Dartmouth', commanded by Leake. This flotilla was accompanied by the longboat from the 'Swallow', which was too large to make the journey up-stream. The longboat had a crew of nine, who would hack at the boom with axes. The task ahead was a daunting one, for these ships, as they had to first get through the strait of Culmor, past the Irish fort. Then they would have to pass another two forts on the starboard side. Finally they would have to break the boom.

Leake and the other Captains were determined to attempt to relieve the City. Already the crimson flag on the cathedral had been lowered on several occasions, signalling the garrison's distress. Eight shots had also been fired from the walls for the same purpose. The fleet in the Foyle replied by firing six great guns. The garrison interpreted this as a sign that they were going to attempt the relief of the City.

At about 7o'clock on the calm Sunday summer evening of July 28th, the Dartmouth, followed by the Mountjoy, Phoenix and the longboat, made course for Culmore, a move that hadn't gone unnoticed on the walls. Walker, who had just given his congregation a particularly rousing address, wrote, that "about an hour after the sermon, being in the midst of our extremity, we saw some ships in the Lough make towards us, and we soon discovered they were the ships Major-General Kirke had sent us, according to his promise that when we could hold out no longer he would be sure to relieve us."

The Dartmouth came under fire from Culmore, but didn't fire until the other ships were getting close. When the Dartmouth fired the other ships sailed past in the cover of the Dartmouth's cannonade. The other ships were heavily fired upon as they moved towards the boom. The Mountjoy, being the larger ship, sailed into the boom "and broke the iron part thereof", while the crew of the longboat "cut the wooden part of the boom" with their axes. However the Mountjoy had rebounded from the collision and her stern was stuck in the mud on the west bank. The Irish were yelling with triumph as they prepared to board the Mountjoy.

Mackenzie wrote that this sight "struck such a sudden terror into our hearts as appeared in the blackness of countenances; our spirits sank and our hopes were expiring." Walker wrote, "in the city our trouble is not to be expressed at this dismal prospect", adding that the Irish cheer was "the loudest Huzza's and the most dreadful to the besieged that ever was heard." Upon hearing those exultant shouts, "One who endured the unutterable anguish of that moment has told us that they looked fearfully livid in each other's eyes", wrote Macaulay.

In an attempt to halt the Irish advance, the Mountjoy fired three guns loaded with partridge shot. Their attempt succeeded, killing several of the Irish and causing the rest to flee. The recoil of those three shots had sent the Mountjoy off the mud, into deeper water, where she re-floated. Lead by the Phoenix she passed through the broken remains of the boom and continued on their way to the city.

By 10 o'clock the ships were at last tied up at the quayside.

While the people of the city were celebrating, the man who had saved them lay dead on the deck. The Mountjoy's Captain Browning had been shot in the head as he stood cheering his men on, and died on the spot. All that night bonfires shone out from the walls and the bell of the Cathedral rang out their joyous peals. When all seemed safe, a last shot killed Alexander Lindesey and his daughter. They had been friends and neighbours of Walker in his Tyrone parish. When the Irish saw the English ships sail up to the Ship Quay, they decided to call it a day (or 105 to be exact). Walker wrote, "On the last day of July they ran away in the night time."

The first celebrations of the Relief of Derry took place on the Walls on that joyous calm Sunday evening of July 28th 1689 when the starving citizens, who had endured such hardship for 105 days, crowded onto the ramparts to welcome Browning’s ships that had just broken the Boom across the Foyle. The first organised celebrations took place on Sunday, August 18th when a thanksgiving service was held in St.Columb’s Cathedral, thus establishing the pattern for all those, which had followed throughout the centuries. On August 1st ex-Governor and Siege hero, Colonel Mitchelburne hoisted the Crimson Flag, the emblem of the city’s defiance, on the Cathedral steeple and afterwards he formed the club known as the Apprentice Boys. After his death the actual club appears to have gone out of existence but the celebrations continued in one form or another throughout the early 18th century. The resident garrison appears to have taken over the organisation of the events in August and December while the Defenders and their descendants participated by attending Divine Service at the Cathedral.

"The Londonderry Journal" of August 5th 1772, in just its eighth issue, recorded that the previous Saturday being the ever-memorable First of August there were uncommon demonstrations of joy in the City. The report mentioned processions to the Cathedral and a superb banquet in the Town Hall, along with illuminations, firings and other tokens of joy. In 1775 mention is made in the same newspaper of the Independent Mitchelburne Club and the fact that the same Club had participated in the Relief exercise. When the Centenary of the Relief was celebrated in 1789, Roman Catholic Bishop McDevitt and his clergy joined their Protestant fellow-citizens in their Thanksgiving Services." The Sentinel" Commenting on the absence of Roman Catholics from the December festivities of 1838 claimed in the editorial that "until a very recent period Catholics have joined their fellow citizens in commemorating the Shutting of the Gates.

Early in the nineteenth century the Apprentice Boys movement began to adopt a more definite role in the celebrations, The Apprentice Boys of Derry Clubs was founded in 1814 and a medal was struck, it is recorded that there was musketry firing from the Cathedral and volleys fired over the Gates. A practice that was to prove controversial in later days.

The No Surrender Club was formed in 1824 and there now appears to have been an increase in activity within the movement. Plans for the erection of Walker’s Memorial Pillar were finalised and Apprentice Boys took part in the Foundation Stone Ceremony in December 1826 when the Mayor and all leading citizens and military personnel officiated. When the Mitchelburne Club was revived in 1854 there appeared to be an established "tradition" of "firing" on the celebration days. Each club possessed field pieces for this purpose. John Hempton, speaking at the soiree marking the December 1861 celebration, mentioned that "We have lately formed a governing assembly and have adopted a rule of alternate attendance at the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches. Instead of the jovial Bottle and Glass soirees of our predecessors we have now this tea meeting, where each Apprentice Boy is able to introduce ladies to enjoy with him the festivities of the evening." This date obviously marks the setting up of the General Committee. The Clubs associated with this soiree were the Apprentice Boys, Mitchelburne, Baker, Murray, Walker, Browning and Cairns, The latter appears to become defunct after this to be replaced possibly by the revived No Surrender, Campsie and Williamite Clubs continued to flourish until 1884 although their presence was not recorded at the famous 1861 gathering.

The Armagh Guardian of 23 December 1845 contains an article relating to the Shutting of the Gates:

SHUTTING OF THE GATES OF DERRY.
Thursday, the 18th inst., being the anniversary of the shutting of the gates of Derry, three lodges--510, 1139, and 1560 --met at Mr. JOHN WHITTLE's Inn, Benburb, to commemorate that glorious event, and drink a bumper to the memory of the heroes who fell in defence of the " Maiden City." The festivities of the evening commenced by burning in effigy a well-got-up figure of the traitor LUNDY. Mr. JOHN WHITTLE had the honor of applying the match to the traitor, while " The Rogue's March" was played as his funeral hymn, amidst the most deafening cheers. After he had fallen, each man filled a bumper, and drank to the " Memory of the glorious Apprentice Boys of Derry, and that every traitor might meet with the same end as Lundy," the band playing " Croppies lie down," after which the Master of No. 1560 gave the following loyal toasts : " The Queen and the rest of the Royal family" (three times three) ; " The Glorious and Immortal Memory" (nine times nine, and Kentish fire) ; " The Memory of the late Lord Viscount Powerscourt" (drank in solemn silence) ; " The health of our long-tried friends, Roden, Verner, and Greer, whose exertions in the cause of Orangeism has greatly contributed to its success and continuance in this kingdom" (nine times nine, and Kentish fire.) The Chairman next gave " The health of our worthy agent, Walter Hore, Esq., whose uniform kindness and true Protestant principles has rendered him worthy of our warmest acknowledgements" (nine times nine, and one cheer more.)

Mr. TIMOTHY MARSHALL, of Guiness, asked permission to propose the next toast, which he well knew would be warmly received ; it was " The health of the Alexanders, the well-known friends of Protestantism, whose ancestors fought and bled within the walls of Derry, whilst the Hamiltons, under King James, in vain besiged [sic] the city." This toast was drunk with nine times nine, and deafening cheers. When silence was restored The Rev. MR. M'KENNA, of Mullintur, near Dyan, rose and spoke to the toast as follows--Gentlemen, you are aware that the most important services have been rendered to our country by these noblemen ; and not long since, when our religion and liberty were at stake in the British Parliament, a scion of the same noble family courageously battled against the enemies of our religion ; whilst Claude Hamilton and Northland gave their votes in favour of the measure for the propagation of Popery and idolatry in this kingdom. The very name of Northland or Hamilton we should spurn--whilst that of Alexander should be cherished in the bosom of every Protestant in Ireland. After having passed several other encomiums on his landlord, the Right Hon. the Earl of Caledon, and Wm. John Alexander, Esq., of Caledon, the Rev. Gentleman sat down amidst the most rapturous applause

. After drinking a few more toasts, the party separated at an early hour.--(Communicated.)

Attempts were made from time to time during the nineteenth century to prevent the celebrations in the interest of so-called "public order" but the Apprentice Boys always maintained their right to hold them. The 1860 August celebrations were memorable. The Party Emblems Act was passing through Parliament and Bishop Higgin decided that it was his duty to ban the flying of the Crimson Flag from the steeple and ring the bells of the Cathedral. The Apprentice Boys took over the Cathedral and observed their ritual customs, despite the Bishop's dictum and without interference from the police. The December 1860 event proved more unpleasant when a massive security presence was brought onto the City. The Apprentice Boys decided to relinquish their usual custom of firing the city guns but some dissentients decided to test the legality of the matter. Despite troop and police manoeuvres they managed to salute the closing of the Gates with fire from the Cathedral roof and the ancient ringing of the bells. Ironically a similar force was employed in 1861-on this occasion to protect the Apprentice Boys from the Bogsiders who wished to disrupt their festivities.

The 1870 December celebrations involved even more controversy when an even larger force of troops and R.I.C. men were drafted into the city to prevent the burning of the Lundy effigy. The town was sealed off, the walls occupied and the Governor of the Association, the famous John Guy Ferguson, was denied permission to hoist the Crimson Flags on the eve of the 18th, Despite this the 182nd anniversary of the shutting of the Gates was marked with cannon fire, hoisting of the flags and peeling of the customary joy of bells. When the Apprentice Boys met at the Corporation Hall in the Diamond they fought furiously with the police and managed to ignite an effigy of Lundy that had been kept in hiding. The 1871 Relief celebrations followed the same pattern with arrests and serious disorder- mounted police charged the ranks of the Apprentice Boys either-despite proclamations prohibiting processions in the City, they gathered for a Cathedral Service and later burnt Lundy from the Memorial Hall tower. Such was the spirit of our ancestors!

In recent times suffered a sad end when "mysterious " bombers sealed its fate, The truth has yet to be told about this serious incident but the headquarters of the Apprentice Boys Association at the Memorial Hall still survives despite repeated organised attacks, The foundation stone of this Hall was laid on the 12th August 1873. Underneath the foundation stone, in hermetically sealed tin cases were placed coins of that year, most recent issues of all local papers, copy of Hemton's "Siege and History of Londonderry" and parchment with names of committee etc. The baronial "Scottish style" building was opened on the 13th August 1877 at an estimated cost of £3,250 while the large extension was opened in 1937 at a cost of £30,000. All celebrations connected with the Siege centre around the Hall and all newly elected candidates for the brotherhood of the Apprentice Boys must be initiated here within the historic Wall of Londonderry. Most of the credit for the formation of the Apprentice Boys Association and the celebrations must go to the Siege Governor and hero Colonel John Mitchelburne. To him must be ascribed the distinction and honour of preserving trophies that were captured during the Siege and placing them in the Cathedral, the erection there of the first tablet commemorating the Siege, the giving to the city and the Apprentice Boys Club their own distinctive Crimson colour and flag, the formation of the first Apprentice Boys Club of which he was principal organiser and probably the first President, forerunner of later Governors, the planning of the earliest anniversary celebrations, the first hoisting of the Crimson Flag on the Cathedral tower.

The celebrations today and the Apprentice Boys Association in Londonderry have encountered much hostility from many sources but as with their ancestors the Apprentice Boys have held their ground and will continue with "God’s help" well in to the 21st century. In more recent times branches of the Apprentice Boys Parent Clubs have been formed in England and Scotland while for many years clubs have thrived in the Republic of Ireland. The "Troubles" of the last thirty years have witnessed a phenomenal increase in Apprentice Boys membership and general interest in the history of the Siege and the Association. It is obvious that people of the Reformed Faith are rallying to the Crimson colours in times of stress as their forefathers have done through out the centuries.

The Apprentice Boys of Derry Association has around ten thousand (10,000) members in Branch Clubs throughout the British Isles along with two Branch Clubs in Canada. Members have undertaken to commemorate the heroic deeds at Londonderry and to preserve the ideals and principles established by the original thirteen Apprentice Boys. Loyalist residents in Londonderry are even today still under Siege with regular and unabated harassment from the adjoining Irish Republican stronghold of Bogside. Like their predecessors in 1688 they are determined to stand their ground and Apprentice Boys and many others unreservedly support their efforts and admire their resilience and fortitude.



BLACK INSTITUTION
Two years after the formation of the Orange Order in 1795, the Royal Black Institution came into existence in Ireland in 1797 with its foundations based firmly on scriptural truths and the propagation of the Christian Reformed Faith.

Unfortunately, records covering the immediate intervening years are scant, however, the earliest printed record available is dated 1858. This was printed and published at the Downpatrick Offices of "The Downshire Protestant"

From that period the printed annual reports of the proceedings of the Institution are available and provide valuable insights into the progress of the Royal Black Institution throughout the English-speaking world in its initial formative years and afterwards.

It was on September 14th 1846, at a meeting held in Portadown, that the Royal Black Institution was placed on a permanent base through its re-constitution. From that point in time the Institution was infused with new life, vitality, inspiration and discipline, a foundation, which has helped it stand the test of time and helped greatly in expanding the Institution to the worldwide membership that exists today.

The tiered structure of the Institution has its foundation in the local Preceptory, which is known as the Royal Black Preceptory or RBP for short. Each Preceptory has a unique number, which is allocated by the governing body when a new warrant is issued.

The Preceptory elects officers who represent their membership at the next tier, namely a District Chapter. Officers from the various local District Chapters come together and form a County or Provincial Grand Chapter.

The Officers of the various County or Provincial Chapters constitute the membership of the governing body known as the Imperial Grand Council. This Council is recognised by all members of the Imperial Grand Black Chapter of the British Commonwealth, which is the title of the Institution. This is the title inscribed on all warrants, certificates correspondence etc. However, the Institution is commonly referred to as the Royal Black Institution.

One of the Institution's most colourful and well-attended events is the annual demonstration at Scarva in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, held traditionally on the 13th of July each year. Preceptories from Portadown, Newry, Tandragee, Markethill,, Banbridge, Rathfriland and Lower Iveagh take part along with many national and international visitors.

Other demonstrations attended by the majority of Preceptories in Northern Ireland are organised on the last Saturday in August each year, usually across six different venues.

A demonstration is also organised on the second Saturday in August in Fermanagh attended by Preceptories from Fermanagh, Cavan Donegal and Monaghan as well as one in Scotland attended by all the Scottish Preceptories.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Royal Black Institution is poised to continue its valuable role in maintaining its witness for the Christian Reformed Faith and fostering friendly relations among people of a common heritage on what is truly a worldwide scale.




ORANGE ORDER
Beginnings
The Orange Order - as it presently exists - more correctly the Loyal Orange Institution of Ireland, came into existence after the Battle of the Diamond, near Loughgall, on 21st September 1795. This 'Battle' was instigated by a Roman Catholic revolutionary brotherhood known as the 'defenders' who were part of the 'ethnic cleansing' programme of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when the attempt was to remove the Protestant witness from the Island of Ireland. Memories of the massacre of Protestants in France on Saint Bartholomew's Day, 1572 and of another massacre in Ireland in 1641 still weighed heavily on Protestant minds.

The purpose of the Orange Order was to bring together the 'Protestants' of various denominations - Episcopalian - Presbyterian - Independents - Huguenots - Quakers - into one homogenous grouping to maintain their Protestant religion and way of life and as a distinctive affirmation that they intended to hold fast to the FREEDOM of religion won at such a high cost at the Reformation.

Growth
The Orange Institution became an INTERNATIONAL Organisation as the benefits of a religious and fraternal organisation became obvious. Military Warrants were issued from the earliest years of the Institution and this may have added to the growth of Orangeism as serving soldiers carried their culture and identity throughout the Empire. Orangeism spread to Montreal in 1818, Australia in 1845, Togo in 1915 and Ghana in 1928.

RELIGIOUS NATURE
The Orange Order is fundamentally a CHRISTIAN organisation, as the BASIS of the Institution states:- "The Institution is composed of Protestants, united and resolved to the utmost of their power to support and defend the ..... the Protestant Religion."

The Orange Institution therefore unites Protestants of all the Reformed denominations, in opposition to Biblical error and the encouragement of Scriptural truth. According to the 'BASIS', to which all members must assent before admission into the institution, "It is exclusively an Association of those who are attached to the religion of the Reformation," The religion of the reformation is both spiritual and moral (BELIEF & DUTY).

The Institution stands in the reformed tradition as the various statements contained in the 'Qualifications' illustrate:- . LOVE FOR GOD - "a sincere love and veneration for his Heavenly Father". "He should never take the name of God in vain". . FAITH IN CHRIST - "steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind". . AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE - "he should honour and diligently study the Holy Scriptures and make them the rule of his faith and practice". . RESPECT FOR SUNDAY - "he should remember to keep holy the Sabbath day, and attend the public worship of God"

BROTHERLY BOND
There is also something of a 'bonding' between the members of the Orange Institution, because those things which we share in common and hold dear are much more important than things which may divide us.

The brotherly bond which unites the members is based on a spirit of tolerance, tolerance toward those within the brotherhood with whom there may be differences of emphasis and towards those outside the brotherhood who differ from us in religious persuasion.

The Orange Institution emphasises this in the BASIS OF THE INSTITUTION which states:- "and will not admit into its brotherhood persons whom an intolerant spirit leads to persecute, injure, or upbraid any man on account of his religious opinions."

IF YOU ARE A PRACTISING PROTESTANT IN THE TRULY RELIGIOUS SENSE;- REGULARLY AT YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP, MORALLY UPRIGHT IN YOUR LIFE, AND IF YOU DISPLAY A TOLERANT SPIRIT TOWARDS THOSE WITH WHOM YOU MAY DISAGREE, THEN YOU WILL BE WELCOME WITHIN THE ORANGE INSTITUTION.

Basis of the Institution
The Institution is composed of Protestants, united and resolved to the utmost of their power to support and defend the rightful Sovereign, the Protestant Religion, the Laws of the Realm, and the Succession to the Throne in the House of Windsor, BEING PROTESTANT; and united further for the defence of their own Persons and Properties, and the maintenance of the Public Peace. It is exclusively and Association of those who are attached to the religion of the Reformation, and will not admit into its brotherhood persons whom an intolerant spirit leads to persecute, injure, or upbraid any man on account of his religious opinions. They associate also in honour of KING WILLIAM III, Prince of Orange, whose name they bear, as supporters of his glorious memory.

By the Education Committee of The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland July 1997.