Short History of Essex Knights Templar
Like the origins of the Masonic degree of Knights Templar it is not clear when the first installation of a Masonic Knight Templar was made in Essex but the involvement of the British Army is very clear.

In the early eighteenth century troops in the British army were often called upon to act as officers of the law in the event of civil disturbance and assisted the Revenue men in the pursuit of smugglers. Given the nature of the Essex coastline the Dragoon Guards and local militia forces were no doubt fully employed in that latter role. Since they held a warrant to hold their freemasons lodge wherever they were stationed and being keen to recruit civilians into freemasonry it is not surprising to find lodges being formed in Colchester, Chelmsford and Maldon as well as Braintree. Although many early records have been lost there is mention of Knights in Maldon as well as Colchester in published letters dated 1791.

Masonic records of Angel Lodge No 51 (the oldest surviving lodge in Essex) show that Edward Blinkworth was installed a Knights Templar on 28 September 1784, having been initiated in December 1783, passed in February 1784 and raised in March 1784. Angel no 51 being an Antient lodge which carried out all the degrees under the Craft warrant.

The installing master was a bandsman in 3 Dragoon Guards, whom it is speculated visited the lodge of 1 Dragoon Guards, which had an Encampment of Knights Templar attached to it at or before that period.

Essex Knights Templar Templar today
The Province of Essex is approximately equal to the County of Essex and at the beginning of the 2007/8 Masonic year there were 24 Preceptories under its jurisdiction, meeting at 17 Masonic centres from Chingford to Clacton and Saffron Walden to Southend-on-Sea. The province has some 830 swords made up of almost 600 knights.

The Province of Essex also organises two Provincial meetings (one Temple and one Malta) each year. In addition, this year's annual family Church service is to be held at Chelmsford cathedral on Sunday 21st September 2008 to which all family, friends and visitors are welcome.