The Development of the Friendly Society

Description

M.A. dissertation which discusses the conditions under which the Friendly Societies came into being, the influences which may have helped form them, the kind of functions they were able to perform for their members, and whether those functions can operate in the present. Its chapters define Friendly Societies, offer reasons for their growth (including the new towns and the effect of rapid change, and the influence of Romanticism or the spirit of the age), describe the opposition of the State and the Church, costume and regalia (how they are made and by whom), the ceremonies and ritual (language and methods of communication), membership and decline. The dissertation offers a general survey, but some emphasis has been placed on the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity; the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds (now the Shepherds Friendly Society), Aston Unity; the Ancient Order of Foresters; and the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. The second volume contains photocopied documents, photographs and samples of regalia (with accompanying text) illustrating a number of Societies. The photographs show groups of members, walks and processions, ceremonial regalia, certificates, mugs and clay pipes, hats, coats, sashes and gowns worn by members, batons, an inauguration cup, an Ancient Foresters' horn and Masonic artefacts.

Metadata

Identifier rqrm85cl
IRN 409943
Class Mark LAVC/SRP/1/047
Level File
Type of Record Archives - ISAD(G)
Peristent Link http://prototype1.library.leeds.ac.uk/rqrm85cl
Collection(s) Leeds Archive of Vernacular Culture
Category Archive
Parent Record Postgraduate Theses and Dissertations
Creator(s) Brown, Sherridan
Date 1976
Size and Medium 55 unbound typed leaves; 19 b/w, 13 colour photographs; 4 fabric samples. 2 volumes. 1 file.

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