United Grand Lodge
of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons
of England


 
Province of
South Wales Eastern Division

Feature

A worthy Mason of yesteryear  Sir Christopher Cole, K.C.B., M.P.  Provincial Grand Master of South Wales (1817-36) by Peter Davies, Glamorgan Lodge, No. 36 First published in the Winter 2004 edition of the Province's magazine "Guildford Gazette" Christopher Cole, the youngest of six sons of Humphrey Cole, gentleman, of Marazion, Cornwall, was born on 10th June 1770. He entered the navy in 1780, before he was quite ten years old, on board the 'Royal Oak', No. 74, of which his second brother was chaplain. Cole had a distinguished naval career, Midshipman RN 1780; Lieutenant 1793; Commander 1800; Captain 1802. He commanded the yacht 'Royal Sovereign' in 1828, finally becoming colonel of marines in 1830, an office he held until his death. He was described as 'pleasant, with unaffected and naval manners'. He served with distinction in every theatre of the war against France, but particularity in the Far East; his conquest of the Banda Isles from the Dutch in August 1810 was praised in Parliament by Prime Minister Perceval as 'an exploit to be classed with the boldest darings in the days of chivalry'. On 29th May 1812, the honour of knighthood was conferred upon him, and in the same year he was awarded an honorary degree of D.C.L. from the University of Oxford. At the extension of the Order of the Bath on 2nd January 1815, he became a Knight Commander. Sir Christopher married on 28th April 1815, his 'old flame', Lady Mary Lucy Fox Strangways, daughter of Henry Thomas, 2nd Earl of Ilchester. She was the widow of Thomas Mansel Talbot (Died 1813) of Margam and Penrice Glamorganshire. The estate was in trust for its young heir, Christopher Talbot, and this was the direct cause of Cole's entry into Parliament. On the death of the county Member [and Provincial Grand Master of South Wales - see previous article] Benjamin Hall in 1817 there was no obvious contender to succeed him, and the leading interests, frightened by the appearance of the opportunist John Edwards, appealed to Cole to save the day for respectability. 'The conqueror of Banda', as he was styled, obliged and was returned unopposed. At this first election he had said 'I am not rich, but I am rich enough to be independent; and it is my chief pride, that whatever I do possess has never cost a poor man a tear, nor my country a farthing'. At the ensuing election however, his supporters were divided and, rather than fight the wealthy Edwards, he withdrew. His friends raised a fund to enable him to fight Edwards in 1820, and after a severe contest was successful. He was re-elected, without opposition in 1826, however his parliamentary career was not particularly distinguished and he did not speak in the House before his re-election in 1820. He was described as 'a big man with a generous character to match'. He could inspire affection in a wide range of people, from his ship's crew to his young step-family. His muddled and anecdotal debating manner in the House contrasted with a bluff style in his private correspondence. His great interest was in naval matters, and whenever these came up in the House, Cole could be depended upon to speak. He was humane in an age when this was rare in a seaman, and he voted for the abolition of flogging in the armed forces. In 1830 he withdrew from Parliament to make way for his stepson, Christopher Talbot, as his critics had always predicted he would. Sir Christopher's involvement in Freemasonry began in 1817, when he was initiated in the Indefatigable Lodge, Swansea. The History of the Lodge records the following: "On the 23rd October, 1817 (Bro. C. Hancorne, still W.M.) Sir Christopher Cole, K.C.B. was proposed by the W.M., seconded by Bro. D. Long, to be made a Mason, was balloted for, and being unanimously approved, came forward properly prepared and initiated into the first Degree. "Owing to an urgent circumstance," he was passed to the second Degree, and the Tracing-board was explained in the two Degrees. Then because of "the particular urgency of the circumstances, he was forthwith also raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason, and the Tracing-board of the Degree explained to him." The exact date of his appointment as Provincial Grand Master is not clear, The "Freemasons' Quarterly Review", 1836, p.339 states "By the calendar of 1817, it appears he was then appointed Provincial Grand Master of South Wales" and in the minutes of the Indefatigable Lodge for 1817 we have: "At a lodge on St. John's Day, held on the 29th December, Bro. Sir Christopher Cole, now Prov. G.M., occupied the chair." A rebuke, however, from the Indefatigable Lodge awaited the Provincial Grand Master, for on the 12th September 1820 (Bro. WM. Edwards, W.M., but the chair being occupied by Bro. F. D. Michael), "Bro. Gwynne proposed that a letter be written to the Provincial Grand Master referring him to that part of the Constitution, which requires that a Provincial Lodge be held once in each year. Seconded by Bro. Morris." A Provincial Grand Lodge was held the following year, when Sir Christopher Cole was 'installed' as Provincial Grand Master. The intention of holding the Lodge was advertised in 'The Cambrian' on Saturday June 23rd 1821:  "Great preparations are in making to render the Masonic Festival advertised for the 5th of next month the grandest spectacle of the kind ever witnessed here, and a very numerous attendance of the Brethren is confidently expected. The jewels, banners, dresses &c., we understand, will be of the most superb description, and the procession to and from our Public Rooms, and to Church, will be correspondingly brilliant. After opening the Lodge in the morning, Sir C. Cole, M.P. for Glamorganshire, will be installed Provincial Grand Master for South Wales, by C. K. K. Tynte, Esq., Provincial Grand Master for Somersetshire. The Craft will then attend Divine Service, and afterwards dine together. The Bath Harmonic Society will contribute their able vocal exertions on the occasion, and the excellent band of the Royal Glamorgan Militia is engaged. We hear that the evening will conclude with a splendid display of fireworks." On St. John's Day in December 1832, a letter from Sir C. Cole was read out in the Indefatigable Lodge, announcing his intention of resigning as Provincial Grand Master. This however was not carried out and Cole continued as Provincial Grand Master. He again announced his intention of resigning in 1836 and resigned as a subscribing member of the Indefatigable Lodge in the July, probably on account of his impending retirement. The Lodge prevailed on him to rescind his resignation, and on the 9th August a letter was read in open Lodge, announcing Cole's intention of resuming office as Provincial Grand Master. Unfortunately he died shortly afterwards, on the 24th August 1836. His funeral was reported in 'The Cambrian' of 3rd September 1836: Funeral of Sir Christopher Cole, K.C.B. - The remains of this much lamented gentleman arrived at Swansea from Lanelay, on Wednesday evening last; and as a mark of sincere respect towards the deceased, all the shops in the lines of streets through which the procession had to pass were completely closed. The body remained at the Mackworth Arms during the night, and about seven o'clock on the following morning was conveyed to Penrice Church, where the burial took place in a spot selected by the deceased when living, amid that deep and heartfelt regret which ever accompanied the last solemn rites paid to departed worth. The funeral was private but imposing, and consisted of - Four Mutes, a Board of Plumes, two - Assistant mutes, with wands, Undertaker, the Hearse, drawn by six horses, followed by ten Under-Bearers, carrying Truncheons, three Mourning Coaches, drawn by four horses, containing the Gentlemen Members of the Family. Sir Christopher Cole's Masonic Insignia was presented to Glamorgan Lodge in 1855, by the antiquary, the Reverend John Montgomery Traherne, F.R.S., F.S.A., an executor of the will and a member of Glamorgan Lodge. Traherne had married, on 23rd April 1830, Charlotte Louisa, the third daughter of Thomas Mansel Talbot and Cole's stepdaughter. It consists of an apron, collar and gauntlets plus two jewels: (i) Provincial Master's collar jewel by Thomas Harper, (gold), London 1816; (ii) Gold Jewel by Thomas Harper, Fleet Street, London, Front inscription: 'Si talia jungere possis sit tibi scire satis AL 5821 AD 1821'; Back inscription: 'Deo rege fratrieu honor fidelitas benevolentia'.  For many years the insignia was displayed in Glamorgan Lodge's Masonic Hall, at No. 4 Church Street, Cardiff. On 15th June 1972, the late Morlais Summers, Past Master of Glamorgan Lodge, placed it on loan to The Grand Lodge Museum. © 2003 - Peter M Davies, Glamorgan Lodge No. 36 References:  'History of Parliament. The House of Commons', Volume III - Members A-F by R. G. Thorne, published by Secker & Warburg, 1986; 'History of the Indefatigable Lodge, No. 237', William Henry Jones, Spurrell Carmarthen 1923;  'Glamorgan Members During The Reform Bill Period', Enid Ball, 'Morgannwg', Vol. X, 1966