Masonic references in the writings of Robert Rankin

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Masonic references in the works of Robert Rankin

The Brightonomicon (2005)

He was a considerable being, big and broad with a great shaven head, upon the crown of which was a tattooed pentagram." "The collar of his shirt was starched, a red silk cravat was secured in place by an enamel pin with Masonic entablatures, and watch chains spanned his waistcoat. [p. 4.]

Or I could have a beer or two in the alehouse next door to forty-nine Grand Parade, where I knew that Mr Rune still maintained an open acount with Fangio the barlord. Something to do with Freemasonry, I was given to understand. [p. 38.]

"We may both be Freemasons, but that man is drinking my pub dry, and all on his 'account'." [p. 43.]

"It never ceases to amaze me," said Mr Rune, "the power of a Masonic handshake." [p. 118.]

Naturally I did not possess the trusty Smith and Wesson favoured by Laz, and even if I had, I would not have dared carry it. You can get arrested for something like that and I had no Masonic connections. [p. 143.]

"Oh," said the second constable, sighting Mr. Rune. "It’s you, is it? Are we supposed to tip our helmets or something, you being a Thirty-Fourth-Degree Mason or whatever?" [p. 165.]

"Greetings, Chief." And Mr. Rune rose from his seat, tossed away his napkin and greeted the chief with a handshake that was not Masonic, but might have passed for one any day of the week, excluding Tuesday. [p. 275.]

The Brightonomicon, Robert Rankin. London : Gollancz, 2005. ISBN: 0 575 07668 2. tp. 359p.

Knees up Mother Earth (2004)

Dapperly decked was he in the habit of the professional barlord: white shirt, black trews, black weskit and clip-on disky bow, plus a very dashing pair of cufflinks whose enamelled entablatures spoke of a Masonic connection. [pp. 7-8.]

'There’s an awful lot of nose-tapping going on,' said Jim. 'Is it a Masonic thing?' [p. 52.]

'If I tell you,' said Old Pete, 'You have to promise me that you will never tell another living soul. Can you promise me that, Neville?'

'I can.' Neville licked his finger, ’see this wet,' he said, and then wiped it upon his jacket. ’see this dry. Cut my throat if I tell a lie.'

Old Pete sighed. 'You're a Freemason, aren't you, Neville?' he said.

Neville made a wary face. That was not a question that any Freemason cared to be asked. And it is a tricky one, because if you are, you're not supposed to lie— simply to evade.

'How are your crops at present?' Neville asked. 'How’s the Mandragora coming along?'

Old Pete put his hand across the bar counter for a shake. 'Have you travelled far?' he asked.

Neville shook the elder’s hand. It was a significant hanshake. Both men knew the significance of it. Words were exchanged and these were also significant.

'I never knew,' said Neville, 'in all these years, that you —'

'I keep my own business to myself, Neville, whereas your Masonic cufflinks are something of a giveaway. But I can trust you. Brothers upon the square, as it were.'

'And under the arch.'

Quite so. [pp. 81-82.]

Mr. Gray, who was sipping champagne, coughed into it. 'Excuse me,' he said, drawing a shirt cuff sporting a Masonic cufflink over his mouth. [p. 102.]

Knees up Mother Earth, Robert Rankin. London : Gollancz, 2004. ISBN: 0 575 07315 2. hc. 376p.

Raiders of the Lost Car Park (1994)

It is a fact, well known to those who know it well, that all policemen above the rank of sergeant are not only Freemasons, but Jesuits. [p. 96.]

Raiders of the Lost Car Park, Robert Rankin. London : Doubleday, 1994. ISBN: 0 385 404131. hc. 252p.

The Witches of Chiswick (2003)

The use of masonic references sends a mixed message in that the novel’s protagonist is tutored and assisted by Hugo Rune, who is a freemason, while his satanic opponents, the Chiswick Townswomen’s Guild is lead by Gwynplaine Dhark, also a freemason. Both also are identified with the pentagram.

Hugo Rune wears "a large golden broach in the shape of a five-pointed star and inlaid with many precious stones" [p. 84.]

'A pleasure to see you one again, Shirley.' Rune offered his hand and Holmes shook it. The manner of the handshake was significant. Its significance was lost upon Will. [p. 102.]
'We are gentlemen both. And brothers under The Arch.' [p. 103.]
'We understand each other, don't we?'
'We do,' said Rune. 'Brother upon the Square,' and he made a certain sign.
'Then, good.' Holmes rose from his chair. Rune rose with him and the two shook hands once more. The significance of the unorthodox handshake was not quite so lost upon Will this time. [p. 105.]
There was wealth here. And watches, gold hunters, several embossed with Masonic symbols set about their faces in substitute for numbers. [p. 118.]

Will Starling notes a pentagram pattern to the Whitechapel murders. [p. 136.]

'I could have joined the sites together to form almost anything.' Will said. 'A pentagon, for instance.' [p. 159.]
'Are you a Freemason?' asked the magistrate.
'Not as such,' said Freddie.
'Then things look very bad for your client.' [p. 215.]
'And who might you be?' asked the honourable one.
'Gwynplaine Dhark,' said the fellow. 'Freemason and counsel for the prosecution.' [p. 216.]

Dhark is revealed to be the leader of the witches.

’seems sound enough to me.' Mr. Justice Doveston exchanged a Masonic wink with the council for the prosecution. [p. 217.]
'It’s all above board,' said the clerk of the court. 'And on the square and on the level and Masonic things of that nature generally.' [p. 219.]
Tim’s screen lit up with a sepia display. It had much of the look of an embroidered cushion cover to it. A central inverted pentagram, with goat’s head motif, was encircled by lettering and surrounded by four skeletons holding handbags. [p. 296.]

The Witches of Chiswick, Robert Rankin. London : Gollancz, 2003. ISBN: 0 575 07314 4. hc. 357p.

Waiting for Godalming (2000)

"I'd only ever seen a suit like that once before and that was on the body of a businessman, who'd spilt soup on me at a Masonic maggot roast in Barking, back in '93."

Waiting for Godalming, Robert Rankin. London : Doubleday, 2000. ISBN: 0385600577. hc. 264p. p. 100.

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