A Chosen Few: Talks on the History & Impact of the Independent Loyal Orange Institution

THE INDEPENDENT ORANGE INSTITUTION is the smallest, and youngest, of the Loyal Orange Orders. It is rooted in radical Unionism.

Its history brings together the themes of Belfast workers’ rights, the rights of tenant farmers, the rise of Presbyterianism and evangelical Protestantism.

It was the first organisation to effectively challenge the status quo within Unionism and its use of the Orange Order for political advantage. By 1906 it could boast of2 Westminster MPs.

Later challenges to the Unionist Party owe much to the courage and determination of the early leaders of the Independent Orange Order.

This book describes those early leaders and the battles they engaged in. Orangeism and Unionism is, today the richer because of these men of independent thought.