Royal Black Institution
 Logo of the Royal Black Institution |
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| Established | 1797 |
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| Institution | The Royal Black Institution |
| Location |
Headquarters: Lurgan, County Armagh Areas found: United Kingdom (based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland), Republic of Ireland (almost exclusively in County Donegal), United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand other Commonwealth countries |
| Sovereign Grand Master | Millar Farr |
| Homepage | royalblack.org |
The Royal Black Institution, also known as the Royal Black Preceptory, the Imperial Grand Black Chapter Of The British Commonwealth, or simply as the Black Institution, is a Protestant fraternal society.
It was formed in Ireland in 1797, two years after the formation of the Orange Order in Daniel Winter's cottage, Loughgall, County Armagh.
The society is formed from Orangemen and can be seen as a progression of that Order although they are separate institutions. Anyone wishing to be admitted to the Royal Black Institution must first become a member of an Orange Order Lodge, and many are members of both.
The Royal Black is often referred to as "the senior of the loyal orders."
Its headquarters are in Lurgan, County Armagh. Members refer to each other as "Sir Knight", whereas in the Orange Order members are referred to as "Brother" or "Brethren". The RBI claim that their basis is the promotion of scripture and the principles of the Protestant Reformation. However, this is contested by people who suggest that the rituals are not biblical. It has preceptories throughout the world, mainly in the major English speaking countries, and is particularly strong in Newfoundland.
In Northern Ireland it holds a very colourful annual parade in the village of Scarva, County Down, on 13 July (the day after the Orange Order's 12th July celebrations). It is commonly referred to as "The Sham Fight". The other major parade of the year is "Black Saturday", also known as "Last Saturday", held on the last Saturday in August at several locations throughout Ulster (including a major parade in Raphoe in the Laggan district of East Donegal).
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