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Origins of the United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD)
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TitleOrigins of the United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD)
DescriptionDruids, commonly represented as priests, are best described as knowledge keepers/seekers in ancient Celtic cultures. In the mid-late 18th century, legends of ancient druids inspired a druid revival in England. This revival included the formation of the fraternal society, The Ancient Order of Druids (AOD) in 1781. The movement developed as a peaceful alternative to the prevailing religious persecution, bigotry, and widespread violence of the period.
The United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) split from the AOD in 1833 due to ideological differences, choosing to focus on social welfare, and so becoming a registered friendly society. The UAOD drew inspiration from core aspects of modern druidry namely community, co-operation, and assistance. This was emphasised by the society’s motto, ‘United to Assist’.
After spreading to Australia in 1851, the first UAOD lodge in Aotearoa New Zealand opened in Ōtautahi Christchurch in 1876. While originally under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Victoria in Australia, by 1924 the three district grand lodges of New Zealand - the Grand Lodge of Canterbury (established 1884), the Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland (opened 1897), and the Grand Lodge of the North Island (opened 1895) - became autonomous.
DateAugust 2026
DescriptionDruids, commonly represented as priests, are best described as knowledge keepers/seekers in ancient Celtic cultures. In the mid-late 18th century, legends of ancient druids inspired a druid revival in England. This revival included the formation of the fraternal society, The Ancient Order of Druids (AOD) in 1781. The movement developed as a peaceful alternative to the prevailing religious persecution, bigotry, and widespread violence of the period.The United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) split from the AOD in 1833 due to ideological differences, choosing to focus on social welfare, and so becoming a registered friendly society. The UAOD drew inspiration from core aspects of modern druidry namely community, co-operation, and assistance. This was emphasised by the society’s motto, ‘United to Assist’.
After spreading to Australia in 1851, the first UAOD lodge in Aotearoa New Zealand opened in Ōtautahi Christchurch in 1876. While originally under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Victoria in Australia, by 1924 the three district grand lodges of New Zealand - the Grand Lodge of Canterbury (established 1884), the Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland (opened 1897), and the Grand Lodge of the North Island (opened 1895) - became autonomous.
DateAugust 2026Connections
Collection‘United to Assist’: the Druids of Selwyn OrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyAttribution
Researched ByNoah RobertsonWritten ByNoah RobertsonDate WrittenBetween 1st January 2026 and 1st August 2026
Written ByNoah RobertsonDate WrittenBetween 1st January 2026 and 1st August 2026Click on the image to add
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Origins of the United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) (August 2026). Selwyn Stories, accessed 16/10/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/7154