Orangemen

Orangemen, a name derived from the title of William III., which was given as early as 1689 to the Irish supporters of the principles of the Revolution. The first Orange lodge was established by the Peep o' Day Boys at Loughgall, County Armagh, after the "battle of Diamond," a contest between the Roman Catholic and Protestant population. The primary object was to deprive the Roman Catholics of the arms which they kept contrary to the law. The number of lodges and members greatly increased during the rebellion of 1798, and rendered an effectual safeguard to Protestantism, but the movement was not countenanced by the Lord-Lieutenant. In 1808 lodges were founded in England, and, although the organisation was nominally dissolved by the Association Bill in 1825, it continued to be a potent political factor. The election of the Duke of Cumberland as Grand Master in 1835 was followed by a parliamentary inquiry, and the society was temporarily suppressed.