Sunday, May 11, 2014

Similarity of Oaths - an eighteenth century phenomenon

I saw this during Ian Hislop's excellent BBC series recently (more of which later), and was struck by the similarity:

http://www.historyhome.co.uk/c-eight/distress/oath.htm

I, AB, of my own free will and accord do hereby promise and swear that I will never reveal any of the names of any one of this secret Committee, under the penalty of being sent out of this world by the first Brother that may meet me. I furthermore do swear, that I will pursue with unceasing vengeance any Traitors or Traitor, should there any arise, should he fly to the verge of ---- I furthermore do swear that I will be sober and faithful, in all my dealings with all my Brothers, and if ever I decline them, my name to be blotted out from the list of Society and never to be remembered, but with contempt and abhorrence, so help me God to keep this our Oath inviolate.
Signed Thomas Broughton.
This oath is the same in substance and matter of fact as was taken by me, and is mentioned and referred to in my annexed information. Signed Thomas Broughton.
Witness, Charles Adams.

Though oaths of this nature have gone out of fashion the "blood curdling oaths" the conspiracy theorists talk about are merely a context of that particular time.

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