The Freemasons and silver are two major themes in The Hallmarked Man.
Ramsay Silver is the fictional shop that sells Masonic silverware and is where the body of William Wright is found in the vault, on Monday 20th June 2016. The owner of the shop is Kenneth Ramsay. His wife’s sister, Pamela Bullen-Driscoll, helps manage Ramsay Silver, and was there the day before the murder, but also owns her own silver shop in the London Silver Vaults, Bullen and Co.
A silver nef – a silver model of a ship – was also stolen from Dino Longcaster by Rupert Fleetwood before Rupert disappeared. This connection to silver is one of the reasons the agency’s new client Decima Mullins believes the body in the Ramsay Silver vault to have been that of her boyfriend.
The silver that is stolen the night of the murder is Murdoch silver. A.H. Murdoch (a fictional figure) was a Scottish-born explorer and Freemason who discovered the second largest silver mine in Peru in 1827.
Strike purchases a book by A.H. Murdoch called Secrets of the Craft.
The Murdoch silver includes the ceremonial dagger of John Skene, the first Freemason ever to emigrate to America (also a fictional figure). It also includes the Ornamental Centrepiece, which is so large and heavy that William Wright and Jim Todd struggle to carry it down to the basement and into the vault.
In Chapter 14, when Strike and Robin visit Ramsay Silver, Strike asks Kenneth Ramsay: “are you on the square yourself?” He is asking him if he’s a Freemason, to which he replies, “Oh, yes.” (Chapter 14).
The Freemasons
Freemasonry is a fellowship of men who are bound by oaths to a method of self-betterment. “The Craft” involves rituals in which symbols stand for moral qualities. The most important symbols are that of the square and compass (see Symbols section below), which derives from the work of stonemasons, and also the apron and gloves.
Freemasonry is often about philanthropy, fellowship, spirituality and ethics.
‘There was a good bit of Freemasonry in the army, when I was still in,’ said Strike. ‘Hardy used to take the piss out of me for saying it influenced promotions. His shtick was, masonry’s a man’s private affair, nobody’d let it spill over into his day-to-day life, but I witnessed people cosying up to a known Grand Master at mess dinners. Freemasonry used to be rife in the police, as well. Coppers and serious criminals belonging to the same lodges. Remember Duncan Hanrahan?’ […] ‘Freemason and ex-copper turned crook.’” (Chapter 15).
| Real People in The Hallmarked Man (TBA) |
Strike and Robin Discuss the Freemasons
‘Why do men do it?’ asked Robin. ‘Why are they so keen on closed societies with rituals and things? Women don’t go in for that kind of thing as much’.
Strike replies: ‘Think we might like the hierarchical thing more than you do. And we tend to need a reason to meet. Go out and do something or watch something, together. We don’t hang around in each other’s houses a lot, unless there are women involved.’
Strike tells Robin about a way the Freemasons ask what Lodge the other belongs to: “How old’s your grandmother?” “Two thousand and fifty-three.’ The lodges are all numbered.
‘Did Hardacre tell you all this?’
‘Some of it. You can look most of it up. From what I gleaned from Hardacre, you’re supposed to help out the needy – with an emphasis on fellow masons – and generally be a model citizen. And you’ve got your duty of admonishment.’
‘There are bits of it that aren’t for public consumption. Hardacre wouldn’t tell me the big stuff.”” (Chapter 11)
Rules and Beliefs
You have to believe in a single higher power to be a Mason – it doesn’t have to be a particular god.
“Catholics aren’t allowed to join by their own church”, but any other religion can. (Chapter 16)
They are not allowed to discuss politics or religion during meetings, or do business deals (Chapter 72).
Initiation and Degrees
At initiation, Freemasons must take an oath of silence. It is not so much a secret society but, as Strike says to Robin, “A society with secrets”. (Chapter 11)
“You have to roll up your trouser leg during initiation into the Freemasons. Prove you’re unshackled – a free man.” Strike tells Robin. (Chapter 15)
During initiation, “They take all your money and metal off you first, don’t they?” Strike asks Graham Hardacre (Chapter 71)
Masonic Degrees are a mark of a Freemason’s status within the Craft. As Strike learns in Chapter 61 of The Hallmarked Man, there are nine Degrees for “knights” (Chapter 61).
The first Degree is called the Entered Apprentice Degree. Once this has been passed the initiated Brother is allowed to learn the secret Sign, Token and Word. The Token is also called the Grip, known to many as the Masonic handshake and its purpose is for a Mason to be recognised by other Brethren. The new Mason presents the Sign, Token and Word to the officers of the Lodge which then entitles him to a Masonic sheepskin apron.
The initiate has to learn about the tools of the first Degree: a gauge (ruler), a gavel (mallet) and a chisel. They remind the new Mason of importance of using his time well, working hard and persevering.
The Second and Third Degrees are called the Fellow Craft and Master Mason Degrees. The admission to these degrees are very similar to that of admission to the First Degree but with slight differences.
Medals – called ‘jewels’ by the Freemasons – are given to those who achieve each Degree. (Chapter 72)
“And when you’re inducted into the fifteenth degree, there’s a bridge, too,” or a symbolic representation of one, Hardacre tells Strike. “You cross the bridge, over a river in which body parts are floating–“ (chapter 72)
The Scottish Rite has an extra thirty Degrees.
On admission to the Third Degree there is a reenactment of Hiram Abiff’s murder. The new Mason plays the part of Hiram; he is shouted at, roughed up and ‘buried’ before being resurrected by the magic of the Master Mason handshake.
Hiram Abiff
Hiram Abiff and King Solomon’s Temple enter into the mythology of Freemasonry.
Strike’s SIB mate, Graham Hardacre, is a Freemason. Strike used to call him “Hiram” sometimes, “for piss-taking purposes” (Chapter 11).
Hiram Abiff was a mythical Grand Master of the stonemasons and a skilful artificer of King Solomon’s temple, which is said to have hidden the Ark of the Covenant. Hiram was killed for refusing to divulge the Master Mason’s secrets. (Chapter 11)
Freemasons’ Hall
Ramsay Silver backs onto the Freemasons’ Hall on the Wild Court side. It is the headquarters for the United Grand Lodge of England and a meeting place for many Masonic Lodges.
Strike and Graham Hardacre go to the Freemasons’ Hall to see the museum and Temple 17.
In the museum, Hardy points out to Strike the oil painting of Alexander Hughson Murdoch (a fictional figure). (Chapter 72)
Hardy tells Strike that there is a rumour that a Norwegian lodge uses real human skulls in their rites. (Chapter 72)
Temple 17 contains a large chained swan, the Symbol of Buckinghamshire. It’s where three of the oldest – pre-1717 – lodges meet. (Chapter 72)
When Strike enters Temple 17, this is what is described: “Ten banners hung from poles Faced each other in the black and white carpet, and Strike’s eye was drawn immediately to the lion beneath the word Judah. In the floor lay tools including a spade and a pick axe, an aged book that was embossed with the lodge’s name, and a group of three-dimensional geometric objects carved out of white stone.” (Chapter 72)
| Freemasons’ Hall (TBA) |
Winston Churchill Lodge 7502
This is a fictional Masonic lodge in the Freemasons’ Hall.
“The Winston Churchill Lodge skews heavily towards police.” (Chapter 57)
Strike and Robin discover that DCI Malcom Truman, lead investigator in the silver vault murder, and Lord Oliver Branfoot are both of the Winston Churchill Lodge.
In Scotland (Crieff and Dunkeld)
In Crieff, Strike sees the familiar square and compass protruding discreetly over a blue door outside which he is sheltering from the rain. The building is a small Masonic lodge. (Chapter 59)
A bridge in Dunkeld was built by Freemason Thomas Telford (Chapter 61). The bridge over River Dee was built by the equally Masonic Isambare Kingdom Brunel.
Strike and Hardacre Discuss the Freemasons
Strike meets Graham Hardacre in the Freemasons’ Arms near the Freemasons’ Hall. (Chapter 71)
| Freemasons Arms (TBA) |
Strike and Hardacre discuss Freemasonry:
Strike asks Hardacre what “gow-too” could mean. He tells Strike GAOTU stands for the Great Architect of the Universe, which is the Freemasons’ term for God. (Chapter 72)
Hardacre tells Strike: “We aren’t aiming to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem any more. Just erect it in out own pure hearts.” (Chapter 72)
When Strike asks him about A.H. Murdoch, Hardacre says he prefers “Bridge to Light”.
From Morals and Dogma: “The retreating general may cut away a bridge behind him, to delay pursuit and save the main body of his army, though he thereby surrenders a detachment to certain destruction”. It says such action isn’t unjust, but “may infringe some dreamer’s ideal rule of justice.” (Chapter 72)
Hardacre quotes Albert Pike: “Masonry does not change human nature, and cannot make honest men out of burn knaves.” (Chapter 72)
Morals and Dogma:
Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Albert Pike is not only an epigraph source for The Hallmarked Man, but also mentioned in the story itself:
Robin tells Strike: “I might have worked out what that note Niall Semple left for his wife means.”
Robin quotes from Morals and Dogma:
‘Question: What is the most occult number?
”Answer: 5, because it is enclosed in the centre of the series.
‘Question: What is the most salutary number?
”Answer: 6, because it contains the source of our spiritual and corporeal happiness.
“‘Question: What is the most fortunate number.”
Robin says, “You get the idea. If I’m right, Niall was leaving Jade an eight-figure code: two, five, zero, six, two, zero, one, six.”
Strike replies, “… could be a date, though. Twenty-fifth of June 2016.” (Chapter 97)
Masonic Symbols
Here is a list of all the Masonic symbols and objects mentioned in The Hallmarked Man.
Apron: A Masonic sheepskin apron is given to an initiate on admission to the First Degree.
Gloves: The reason Masons wear gloves in their ceremonies is so no Brothers can tell the difference between the hands of a Duke and the hands of a dustman.
Sheaf of corn: Robin is outside Balenciaga during surveillance when she sees the motif carving of a tree or a sheaf of corn over the window. She is reminded that, to the Freemasons, the sheaf of corn represents bounty and charity.
Eye of Providence – eye in a triangle: It represents the all-seeing eye of God (Great Architect of the Universe).
The Square and Compass
The Square represents rectitude; the Compass represents an image of self-control.
A man throws a Masonic ceremonial dagger at Robin with the compass and square on the hilt (Chapter 63)
The Gauge, Gavel and Chisel
The gauge, gavel and chisel are introduced to a Mason in the first degree (Entered Apprentice Degree).
Other symbols mentioned: Coffins, Skulls, Beehives, Two-headed eagle, Jacob’s ladder, Acacia tree, the blazing star, wavy swords and a Teutonic cross bearing an eagle – Degree Thirty-Two.
Ramsay Silver
Strike and Robin go to this fictional shop on Wild Court in Chapter 14. It is a shop selling Masonic silverware. The shop backs onto the Freemasons’ Hall.
Some of the silver in the shop is described:
From the exterior of the shop: “Medallions and ceremonial chains lay in black velvet in the windows”.
“The right and left walls bore racks of ceremonial swords and shelves laden with silver. Taller items, such as urns and ornamental centrepieces, stood on tables, while snuff boxes and jewellery were displayed in glass cabinets. Masonic symbols […] were everywhere: eyes in triangles, sheafs of corn, beehives, coffins and skulls.” The back wall displays antique aprons and sashes embroidered in gold. One apron is embroided with a bloody severed head, held up by a single hand.
Two jewels designed by Alohonso Mucho were sold the day before Strike and Robin come to the shop.
While Strike and Robin are in the shop, a customer purchases a bowl.
Kenneth tries to persuade a customer in buying more than just the silver bowl: a pair of 1926 candlesticks from Aitchison’s Haven Lodge in Scotland.
Kenneth shows Robin a silver pocket watch, triangular, with Masonic symbols instead of numbers. He also shows her a small silver orb charm, which transforms into a jointed cross when he flicks a catch.
The Carolina Merchant nef was the only nef Ramsay Silver had ever had in stock. It was stolen along with the rest of the Murdoch silver.
Kenneth Ramsay had bought the Ornamental Centrepiece and a ‘setting maul’ at auction, as well as trowels, sets of squares and multiple ‘jewels’ (medals) with elaborate designs, including a two-headed eagle on a Teutonic cross.
Silver Vault Murder
The Murdoch silver in the vault of Ramsay Silver was stolen the night of the murder.
In Chapter 7, Robin reads an article on the murder, and comments saying: “The severing of the body’s hands is an allusion to the dismembered Hands of the Mysteries that unlock the temple of wisdom.”
“The surrounding silver might well have been an illusion to the scripture reading in the Third Degree: ‘Or ever the silver cord be loosed.’”
The letter G was rumoured online to be carved into Wright’s back:
“I’ve heard the letter G was carved into Wright’s back – obvious reference to the only surviving letter of Hiram’s secret word.”
The letter G is often used in Masonic symbols, inside the square and compass. The letter is meant to stand for both Geometry and God, linking back to the stonemasons’ mythology and the importance of geometry.
However, the mark carved into the victim’s body, according to Kenneth Ramsay and later confirmed in photos, was the Salem Cross, the Murdoch hallmark. Kenneth also confesses, rather reluctantly, that the victim was wearing a Masonic sash.
In Chapter 48, Kim brings Strike and Robin photos of the body. A huge Salem Cross is carved into the back, confirming what Kenneth Ramsay said to be true.
On the website ‘Truth About Freemasons’ one person with the username AustinH asks: “Is it true Freemasons protect eachother?” (Chapter 16)
Strike and Robin later discover that the DCI who investigated the murder is also a Freemason of the (fictional) Winston Churchill Lodge 7502 in the Freemasons’ Hall. For this reason they believe his investigation was biased. The identification of the body of Jason Knowles wasn’t a certainty.
They later find out that Lord Oliver Branfoot is also a Freemason of the Winston Churchill Lodge.
A pigpen cipher note is posted through the office door, which Strike translates to:
the | man | in | the| safe | was | dangerous | dick | delion | i | don’t | know | who | had | him | killed | but | he | is | on | TV
Another name for pigpen cipher is the Masonic cipher (Chapter 27).
Number 32, picked out in red beads on the sash on the corps, refers to one of the Masonic degrees. Achieving degree thirty-two gives a Freemason the rank of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, symbolised by wavy swords and a Teutonic cross bearing an eagle that also appeared in a sash, and was superseded in status only by the highest degree of all, Sovereign Grand Inspector General. (Chapter 53)
More About Silver
Pamela tells Robin that William Wright knew nothing about silver and that he’d asked her what the lion passant is.
“The most basic, common British hallmark. It means the item is sterling silver: point nine two five purity.” Pamela Bullen-Driscoll, Chapter 24.
SAS Headquarters Silver
Strike recalls going to the fortified army base in Hereford and seeing the Rhodesian silver in a glass case. (Chapter 59)
London Silver Vaults
The London Silver Vaults is where Pamela Bullen-Driscoll owns a silver shop, Bullen & Co. Robin goes here to talk to her in Chapter 24.
Bibliography
The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World by John Dickie.
Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Albert Pike