Quatuor Coronati Lodge: Our Next Meeting

Quatuor Coronati Lodge meets five times a year on the second Thursday in November (Installation); third Thursday in February; second Thursday in May; fourth Thursday in June; and second Thursday in September. Lodge meetings are usually held at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London, and open at 4.00pm.

The United Grand Lodge of England requires those attending QC Lodge meetings, whether members of QCCC or otherwise, to be a member of a lodge under UGLE’s jurisdiction or members of lodges in Masonic jurisdictions recognised by UGLE. We wear undress regalia (Craft), dark suit and tie. Where we host non-masonic speakers or open the lodge to non-Masons, we close or call the Lodge off for the lecture and at that point welcome everyone to attend. There is no formal dress code for visitors on such occasions.

Thursday, 19 February 2026
Oscar Alleyne
Sgt. John Batt: Mercenary, Opportunist and Hero

The paper explores the enigmatic personality of Sgt. John Batt, a member of military Lodge No. 441 under the Irish Constitution who is attributed with the creation of African Lodge No. 1. His initiation of Prince Hall and fourteen men of color enabled what is known today as Prince Hall Freemasonry. A comprehensive view of the facts surrounding John Batt and military Lodge No. 441, embedded within the 38th Regiment of Foot, will be examined from the perspective of Batt’s actions as a mercenary, an opportunist and a ‘hero’. The research underlying this paper suggests that the currently accepted start date of African Lodge No. 1 – and thus Prince Hall Freemasonry – is incorrect. Dr Alleyne will provide evidence that will demonstrate that it was 6 March 1778, and not 1775, that was the trigger date. The paper is based on new research combined with a detailed examination of the early Prince Hall archives.

The Meeting will be at 4.00pm at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London

The Speaker

Based in New York and Washington D.C., Dr Oscar Alleyne is a senior epidemiologist, shaping health innovations and building strategic partnerships for governmental health solutions. He played a pivotal role in US national support during the Covid pandemic and is a published author and scientific presenter in public health. Masonically, Oscar is a member of Wappingers Lodge No. 671 (GLNY) and has published in several widely-distributed Masonic journals, participated as a keynote speaker in research and educational conferences on Freemasonry, and received multiple awards for his distinguished service to the Craft. He served as the Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York from 2018-2021, is a past President and Fellow of the Masonic Society, and a Fellow and incoming President of the Philalethes Society.

The Summons is available here: QCL Summons – February 2026

Please notify the Lodge Secretary if you will be attending: secretary@quatuorcoronati.com. It is sufficient to give your name, rank and Lodge. Everyone is entitled to attend, from EA onwards.

Delivery papers (with the exception of the Installation paper), are available to members of QCCC prior to each meeting. Papers are copyright and may not be reproduced.
Comments and questions on delivery papers should be sent via email to editor@quatuorcoronati.com for publication in AQC.

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