The first systematic social history of the Orange Order. Based on unprecedented access to the Order's archives, the book charts the Order's path from the peak of its influence, in the early 1960s, to its present crisis, and argues that the traditional Unionism of the past is giving way to a more militant form which is winning the hearts of the younger generation.

Events centred around the Drumcree Parish Church and the Garvaghy Road have focused worldwide attention on the Orange Order and the Loyal orders in general. Taking its name from the historic figure of William of Orange the Orange Order has become, in the eyes of many, synonymous with bigotry and triumphalism. Much of the history of the Order remains untold and unexplored. In this study of the history of Orangeism, Kevin Haddick-Flynn presents the reader with a comprehensive and definitive account of the Order from its foundation in the 17th century through centuries of growth and conflict and brings us right up to 1999 and the turmoil of recent years culminating in the schism in the order in the wake of the murder of three Quinn brothers in the Summer of 1998.

The author offers explanations of Orangeism's eighteenth century origins and its developing objectives during the two hundred years of its history. He explores its religious principles, comparing and contrasting these with the standards of Christianity and the Reformed Faith.

Orangeism: A Historical Profile traces the Orange movement from its pre-Reformation beginnings in the French principality of Orange, to its role in 21st century Ulster. This narrative history offers a lucid account which explains how the Orange tradition took root and developed. Many important events are examined, including the Orange/Green controversies of the 19th century, the Order’s role in the creation of Northern Ireland, its influence during the Stormont era and its stance during the ‘Troubles’. The book also features hard-to-get data provided on the Order’s associated bodies: The Apprentice Boys of Derry, the Purple Order and the Black Preceptory, and provides details of their rituals and lodge practices. International Orangeism and the Order’s role in popular culture are explained and apprised, and the stage is filled with historic figures. Meticulously researched and written without malice, Orangeism: A Historical Profile embodies a reevaluation of accepted views and includes information from unused, usually sealed, archives. Praise for the First Edition: “At last there is an excellent, reliable and absorbing account of Orangeism” – Eamonn Phoenix, The Irish News “A thorough and determinedly unbiased account … written with great enthusiasm” – Niall Savage, The Sunday Business Post

*Written by a team of acknowledged experts in the field, this book provides the first systematic analysis and survey of Orange Order members to date. *Will attract public interest and debate as well as much media comment. *Locates Orangeism within broader debates about Britishness. The Orange Order remains the largest organisation in Northern Irish civil society, with a membership exceeding the combined total of all the political parties in the region. This book provides the first ever comprehensive membership survey of the Orange Order. The book draws upon a detailed study of the Orange Order and on a wealth of individual interviews with Orange leaders and its grassroots base. It begins with a historical outline of the Order's development, before turning to a detailed assessment of its contemporary struggle for relevance amid political marginalisation, secularism and diminished benefits to its membership. The book charts the views of members on how to adapt to external changes; explor

The Ulster Unionist Party and the Orange Order dominated the political landscape of the Protestant community in Northern Ireland for most of the 20th century. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of how the Unionist Party's grassroots mobilized against the reforms and for tough action against the developing IRA campaign.