Orangemen
a secret society of Protestant Irishmen. The first lodge was organized in County Armagh, Ireland, September 21, 1795. A member was required to be over eighteen years of age, a Protestant, and of known loyalty to the British crown. The society was named in honor of William III, Prince of Orange, who ascended the English throne in 1689. The Catholic peasantry of the day were organized similarly in lodges of what were known as Ribbonmen. Feeling between the two societies ran high. A fight with shillalahs was to be expected at every county fair. Not infrequently disturbances rose to the dignity of general riots in which life was lost. As it was impossible to induce the members of either society to testify against their fellows, convictions were impossible and disorder existed for half a century. In 1808 lodges were established in England. Later, Manchester became the seat of a grand lodge of Orangemen.
In 1828 it was reckoned that there were 200,000 members, including many persons of wealth and influence. Even members of the royal family joined. Politically, the Orangemen did not favor the relief of the Catholics of Ireland. They were opposed to the bill that permitted Catholics to become members of Parliament. They opposed the passage of the bill which relieved the taxpayers of Ireland from supporting the Episcopal church.
There are many lodges in the United States and Canada. The American membership in 1861 was reported at 150,000, but it has fallen off considerably since. The chief demonstration of the year is held on July 12th, the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne.