The Grand Commandery of Boigny and the Grand Priory of France after 1968

Abstract

As a consequence of the rebellion early in 1969, the 46th Grand Master, lost most of the Grand Priory of France, including its legal entities, to the Brissac-administration and the Scottish recognition of the Order was made dormant. In the circumstances, it is not surprising that Boigny was seen as the link to the legitimate Order’s continued presence in France; eventually resulting in the creation of the Delegation of Boigny by the Malta Obedience, a new Jurisdiction which was in 1977, raised to the status of a Grand Bailiwick. For the purpose of re-establishing law and order in the Order, the Duc de Nemours, eminently assisted by his Grand Referendary Colonel Gayre of Gayre & Nigg, issued a number of important Constitutional Decrees. Decree N° 2 / 1969 reads “The Titular Seat of the Order is Boigny of which the Grand Master is Grand Commander”; and Decree N° 34 / 1969 states that “Among the jurisdictions of the Order are certain hereditary commanderies among which are the senior Commandery of de la Motte de Courtils, the Commandery of Boigny which constitutes a jurisdiction of the same character as a hereditary commandery vested in the Grand Master for the time being”.