Royal Society of St George
Abbreviation | RSSG (formerly RSStG) |
---|---|
Formation | 1894 |
Type | Patriotic society |
Headquarters | PO Box 397, Loughton, Essex IG10 9GN, England |
Chairman | Nick Dutt |
Website | rssg |
The Royal Society of St George is an
History
In 1415
The Royal Society of St George was founded in 1894 with the noble object of promoting "Englishness" and the English way of life. Howard Ruff was the founder in 1894 and the first Honorary Secretary of the Royal Society of St George. In 1900 he gave up farming to devote his time exclusively to the society.[1]
The society quickly attracted the support of many distinguished public figures in England and throughout the then British Empire.[citation needed] Its first Royal Patron was Queen Victoria; and the society has enjoyed the Patronage of every reigning monarch up to the late Queen Elizabeth II.[citation needed]
In 1963 the Queen granted the society its own Royal Charter. The society was further granted Arms in 1990.
Before the formation of The Royal Society of St George, Societies of St George had been founded in the then North American Colonies for the relief of British immigrants and to give them general assistance in the new country. The earliest Branches of which there are any records are those of New York (1770),
The society's objects
The objects that are specified in the terms of its Royal Charter are:
- To foster the love of England and to strengthen England and the English history, traditions, and ideals.
- To keep fresh the memory of those in all walks of life, who have served England or the Commonwealth in the past, to inspire leadership in the future.
- To combat all activities to undermine the strength of England or the Commonwealth.
- To further St George's Day is properly celebrated and to provide focal points all the world over where English men and women may gather together.[citation needed]
Charitable causes
The society has its own charitable trust, which is run separately from the society and is governed by a board of trustees.
The objectives of the charity are to:
- Help and encourage young people to greater achievement in England and the Commonwealth
- Encourage the enterprise, skills and enthusiasm of young people through support of appropriate organisations[citation needed]
Membership criteria
The society is fully inclusive and independent of party politics and membership is open to all those who subscribe to the objects of the society.[citation needed]
Their current membership is made up of a network of branches throughout England and the world, as well as a large number of direct society members. The international confraternity, the Order of St George, is affiliated with the society.[4]
Former presidents and vice presidents
The list below includes some of the notable people who have served as either president or vice-president of the society:
- The Duke of Cambridge[5]
- The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII then Duke of Windsor)
- Field Marshal The Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
- The Duke of Devonshire
- RA
- DL
- Peter Nelson, 9th Earl Nelson
- Charles Forte, Baron Forte Kt
- Field Marshal DL
See also
References
- ^ Obituary: Mr Howard Ruff. The Times, 2 November 1928.
- ^ "St George's Society of New York". St George's Society of New York. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- ^ "The history of the Royal Society of St George". Archived from the original on 2012-05-07. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
- ^ "Order of St George". International Order of St George. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ An Almanack for the Year of Our Lord 1903. Joseph Whitaker. 1903.
External links
- Official website
- Saint George's Society New York (earliest branch)