Editing Thelema (section)

===Francis Dashwood and the Hellfire Club===
[[Francis Dashwood, 11th Baron le Despencer|Sir Francis Dashwood]] adopted some of the ideas of Rabelais and invoked the same rule in French, when he founded a group called the Monks of [[Medmenham]] (better known as the [[Hellfire Club]]).{{sfnp|Chisholm|1911|loc=v. 4, p. 731}} An abbey was established at Medmenham, in a property which incorporated the ruins of a [[Cistercians|Cistercian]] abbey founded in 1201.  The group was known as the Franciscans, not after Saint [[Francis of Assisi]], but after its founder, [[Francis Dashwood, 11th Baron le Despencer]]. [[John Wilkes]], [[George Dodington, 1st Baron Melcombe|George Dodington]] and other politicians were members.{{sfnp|Chisholm|1911|loc=v. 4, p. 731}} There is little direct evidence of what Dashwood's Hellfire Club practiced or believed.{{sfnp|Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon|2006}} The one direct testimonial comes from John Wilkes, a member who never got into the chapter-room of the inner circle.{{sfnp|Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon|2006}}

[[Sir Nathaniel Wraxall, 1st Baronet|Sir Nathaniel Wraxall]] in his ''Historical Memoires'' (1815) accused the Monks of performing Satanic rituals, but these reports have been dismissed as hearsay.{{sfnp|Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon|2006}} Daniel Willens argued that the group likely practiced [[Freemasonry]], but also suggests Dashwood may have held secret Roman Catholic sacraments. He asks if Wilkes would have recognized a genuine Catholic Mass, even if he saw it himself and even if the underground version followed its public model precisely.{{sfnp|Willens|1992}}
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