The Hellfire Club. Secret orgies of the elite – myth or reality?
The Hellfire Club is the name of two exclusive clubs founded in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 18th century. These clubs were famous for their depraved meetings, and the participants were high-ranking members of society. Who created this club? Why is it called that? And what was happening behind the closed doors of this club? I will answer these questions in this article.
Chapter 1. Sir Francis Dashwood’s Hellfire Club.
In this article, we will only look at Sir Francis Dashwood’s Hellfire Club.
How did Francis Dashwood come up with the club?
One day, Dashwood came up with the idea of founding a parody of the Franciscan Order when he returned from one of his Grand Tours, circa 1731. He visited various monastic communities in Europe, “founded, so to speak, in direct contradiction to nature and Reason,” and he thought that by founding a parody institution in the name of St. Francis, he might replace “festive merriment, unbridled gaiety and social well-being […] instead of the austerity and abstinence that were practiced there.” So Dashwood founded the “Order of the Knights of St. Francis of Wycombe” in 1746, originally meeting at the George and the Vulture Hotel. It was a parody of a religious order, based on a pun on the name of a medieval Italian saint, Francis of Assisi.
How many club members were there?
Initially, the number of members of Sir Francis’ club was limited to twelve, but soon increased. Of the original twelve, some are regularly identified: Dashwood, Robert Vansittart, Thomas Potter, Francis Duffield, Edward Thompson, Paul Whitehead, and John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich.
Figure 1 – Sir Francis Dashwood.
Chapter 2. Monks or Satanists?
What was the name of the club at the very beginning?
The first meeting at the home of Sir Francis’ family in West Wycombe was held on Walpurgis Night in 1752. They called themselves the “Order of the Knights of West Wycombe” or “The Order of the Brothers of St. Francis of Wycombe”. But this was something of a failure, and no more large-scale meetings were held there. Subsequently, the group moved their meetings to Medmenham Abbey, about 6 miles from West Wycombe, where they called themselves the “Monks of Medmenham”
Figure 2 – Medmenham Abbey
So where did the name Hellfire Club come from?
The fact is that the meeting of the club often included elements of theatrical rituals, that is, religious ceremonies, but with satirical overtones. Club members used religious symbols and rituals to mock the Christian dogmas and morals of the time. They conducted masses in mockery and wore monastic robes. When this became known, they were convicted of blasphemous and depraved acts. So they became the subject of many rumors and legends. For example, that this club practiced black magic and other occult rituals. Thus, the club was called the Hellfire Club.
This name is a reflection of the spirit of the times, when interest in mysticism and the occult began to grow noticeably among the educated and influential strata of society. Let’s summarize this is why the club got such a name:
- Provocation and Satire: The name ” Hellfire Club ” was clearly provocative in nature and was a kind of challenge to the traditional morality and religious beliefs of the time. Members of the club often held meetings that were filled with satirical and blasphemous elements, ridiculing religious rites and beliefs.
- Atmosphere and Scenery: Many of the club’s meetings were held in dungeons or caves, reinforcing associations with the underworld and hellfire. This atmosphere of mystery and dark romanticism was part of the club’s appeal to its members.
- Themes of the meetings: The meetings sometimes included elements reminiscent of black masses or occult rituals, although most of these activities were theatrical rather than serious occult practices. The use of religious and demonic symbolism added a mystical atmosphere to their events.
- Public reaction: The public reaction to the activities of the Hellfire Clubs also contributed to their infernal image. The clubs were often criticized by the church and conservative elements of society, which only strengthened their reputation as places of questionable morality.
Глава 3. Fais ce que tu voudras.
What was going on behind the closed doors of this club?
Fais ce que tu voudras – which means Do What You Want. When moving to Medmenham Abbey, Dashwood undertook a lot of expensive building work. At this time, the motto Fais ce que tu voudras was placed above a stained-glass doorway. It is believed that the artist William Hogarth may have made the frescoes for this building; however, none of them have survived. They were decorated with mythological plots, phallic symbols and other objects of a sexual nature.
So what was going on there? In the Dashwood Garden in West Wycombe, there were many statues and sanctuaries of various gods – Daphne, Flora, Priapus, as well as Venus and Dionysus. Meetings were held twice a month, with the general meeting lasting a week or more in June or September. The participants addressed each other as “Brothers”, and the leader, who changed regularly, was called “Abbot”. During the meetings, members allegedly wore ritual clothing: white trousers, a jacket and a cap, while the “Abbot” wore a red robe of the same style. Legends of black masses and the worship of Satan or demons subsequently became attached to the club beginning in the late nineteenth century. According to rumors, female “guests” (prostitutes) were called “nuns”. The meetings of the Dashwood Club often included imitation rituals, pornographic objects, a lot of drinking, debauchery, and banquets. In between entertainments, they held a discussion about philosophical, political, and theological ideas.
Figure 3 – A shot from the film “Eyes Wide Shut”
Attentive readers who have watched Stanley Kubrick’s film Eyes Wide Shut may notice some parallels between this club and the secret club from the film. In addition to the atmosphere of mystery, masquerade meetings, elite participants, occult symbolism and, of course, erotic elements and, even the abbot in the film wore a red hoodie. This suggests that Kubrick was inspired by this club when creating his film. And the film “Eyes Wide Shut” was inspired by Damon Lawner, who created the Sanctum club in our time. And then the Elysian House club. Damon read a book about secret societies and used the same techniques as the hellfire club in the 18th century. This is a modern private club, where such media personalities as Elijah Wood, Lindsay Lohan, Chris Pine and Marilyn Manson did… And what they actually did, you will find out in our film “Elysian House”. In this film, you will learn not only about this club, but also about its founder Damon.
Figure 4 – Map of the West Wycombe Caves
In conclusion, hellfire clouds have left a significant mark on popular culture, inspiring many books, movies, and conspiracy theories. Today, you can even go on an excursion to the West Wycombe Caves. Over time, the activities of the clubs were embellished in folklore and fiction. It is likely that many of the acts attributed to them, such as devil worship and black magic, are greatly exaggerated or completely invented. While the exact nature and scope of the Hellfire Club rituals remain partially shrouded in mystery, the Dashwood Hellfire Club, symbolizing an era of aristocratic freedom, is a prime example of the cultural revolt against the moral and religious constraints of the 18th century, where entertainment and intellectual debate merged in secret rituals and scandalous feasts.
So, what have we learned?
Is it true that Francis Dashwood founded his club as a parody of a religious order? Yes
Is it true that the Hellfire Club was named so because they ridiculed religion? Partly yes
Is it true that the members of this club indulged in gluttony and lust? Yes, there are even historical records and correspondence of club members.
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