Where was the only destination outside Rome for Emperor Claudius?
Named in honour of the famous sexagenarian Emperor, Claudius Lodge No. 8700 celebrates its 50th Anniversary Year
Apart from being born in Lyon in 10 BC, the fourth Roman Emperor, Claudius, spent only 16 days of his life outside Rome. He came to Colchester in AD 43, where he received the surrender of 11 tribal leaders or ‘kings’ to become the first Emperor to conquer Britain and make it a Roman province.
In his honour the senate constructed the triumphal Arch of Claudius in Rome and the Romans based in Camulodunum built the Temple of Claudius, which later formed the base of Colchester Castle built by medieval operative masons.
In 1976, local Essex Freemasons honoured the famous Emperor, who ruled from AD 41 to 54, when the then Provincial Grand Master, Frederick Leistikow, consecrated Claudius Lodge No. 8700 at Colchester Masonic Centre shortly before it was officially opened by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent.
The Lodge logo depicts the Temple of Claudius and a framed coin from his reign is passed to the incoming Master at each Installation Meeting. On Tuesday 10th February 2026, this honour fell to the newly Installed Master, Andrew Parker, who will also preside over the Lodge’s 50th year Anniversary Meeting in June 2026 and a celebratory Summer Ball in July.
Gordon Spindler, the Lodge’s second Initiate in October 1976, sadly passed to Grand Lodge above in January. Gordon was compiling a Claudius Lodge history for the 50th year Anniversary meeting but this will now be completed by the Lodge Secretary, Simon Breeze, who gave a short tribute in his memory.
Tribute was also given by Gordon’s son-in-law, Simon Redgen, a Provincial Grand Steward, who, as Installing Master, performed an outstanding ceremony and was then appointed the Lodge’s new Assistant Director of Ceremonies. Today Claudius Lodge is thriving. The Master, Immediate Past Master and all the progressive Officers and Stewards are Light Blues. There is a noticeable buzz of activity and enjoyment throughout, a direct result of first-rate leadership and commitment by the more experienced Lodge members.
With a regular Lodge of Instruction and Masonic ritual performed to a high standard, Roman Emperor Claudius would probably be very proud of the Lodge named in his honour in Colchester, the only place outside Rome he ever visited.
Photos:
Top: Claudius Lodge Group photo for 50 Year history book.
Below: Left: Worshipful Master, Andrew Parker, with his Senior and Junior Wardens: Tom Robertson (left) and Dale Eaton (right) - Right: Andrew Parker with his Installing Master, Simon Redgen with the Temple of Claudius and framed Roman coin on the Lodge Banner
