The Royal Order of Jesters is a fraternal organization

Fraternal and service organizations

A "fraternal organization" or "fraternity" is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. Please list college fraternities and sororities at List of social fraternities and sororities.-International:...

 affiliated with Freemasonry

Freemasonry

Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...

 and the Shriners

Shriners

The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry, based in the United States...

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Formation

The original meeting resulting in the formation was held on February 20, 1911, by Shriners in the Captain’s office of the S.S. Wilhelmina on a pilgrimage to Aloha Temple, Hawaii

Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...

. Noble A.M. Ellison of San Francisco, California, was responsible and the original cast included a Director and thirteen members. It was organized June 25, 1917, at an informal meeting.

About the organization

Jesters are made from members of the Shrine in good standing. Membership is by invitation only, not application. It is a fun "degree", with absolutely no serious intent. The motto, "Mirth is King", is enough to give voice to the purpose of the organization. The Royal Order of Jesters feel that there are times, after their hard work and dedication to family and mankind, everyone should remember to laugh and appreciate the good work they have done..

The order is very anti-publicity. For example, a website made by one of its members was removed after intervention of the National Court of the Order. The primary reason behind this was the desire of the Board to minimize the public exposure or public access to Jester information.

Controversy

Several members of the organization in Western New York were charged in connection with crimes due to providing prostitutes for Jesters functions. Retired state supreme court judge Ronald Tills was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in August 2009. Previously sentenced was former police captain John Trowbridge (two years probation) and Till's law clerk Michael Stebick (4 months home confinement). The charges were limited to these members of the Buffalo chapter, and a Jesters spokesman stated that this conduct was confined to that chapter.

Membership

Local "courts" are limited to thirteen initiates yearly. Initiation, by invitation and unanimous ballot, is limited to members in good standing of the Shrine and Masonic Lodge.

Museum

The Royal Order of Jesters own a museum, where they display items relating to the group and some items related to William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...

and other historical people who focused on humor in their works.