Prospective Candidates must be a Master Mason, a Mark Master Mason and a Royal Arch Mason. The vast majority of the ‘additional’ Degrees worked in England in the early part of the nineteenth century originally came under the patronage of Lodges granted Warrants by the ‘Antients’, who held that Craft Warrants entitled Lodges to work any Masonic Degree to which they had knowledge and members available who could work it. Upon the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813, various groups of Degrees were gradually organised into separate Orders, each with their own governing body. By the end of that century a large number of unrelated Degrees of no direct interest to any grand body was still being worked in different parts of the country. In the late 1870’s it was agreed by the then Grand Secretaries of the Craft, Mark, and Ancient & Accepted Rite to establish a ‘Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees in England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown’. The headquarters would be at Mark Masons’ Hall. The Order today has five Degrees: St Lawrence the Martyr; Knights of Constantinople; Grand Tilers of Solomon; Red Cross of Babylon; and Grand High Priest.

St Lawrence the Martyr: There are five Degrees that are worked in the Order which is open to Brethren who are Mark and Royal Arch Masons and of any faith. The Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr must be taken first and explains how Lawrence gave his life rather than betray his principles; responsibilities, integrity and fortitude are the lessons to be learned here. The Jewel – Gridiron in silver suspended from an orange ribbon with royal blue edging.

Knight of Constantinople: This Degree Concerns the relationship between the Emperor Constantine and his Subjects. The ceremony is entertaining and amusing but at the end, the candidate is left in no doubt of the importance of the virtue of humility. The Jewel – Maltese cross in gold or gilt suspended from a green ribbon on which are 3 poinards in gold or gilt with the points downwards.

Grand Tilers of Solomon: This Degree is very dramatic set in the secret vault beneath the Temple. It reflects on the danger of hasty judgment. The Jewel – triangle with the apex pointing downwards in black enamel edged with gold or gilt. Inscribed with the Hebrew characters 27 and on the obverse the Ineffable Name in Cabalistic Order suspended from a fiery red ribbon with a pale grey edging either side of which is a hand holding a dagger with the point downwards and surmounted by three Crowns, all in gold or gilt.

Red Cross of Babylon: This Degree fills the gap between the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch.and deals with Zerubbabel obtaining permission to commence the rebuilding of the Temple. The lesson here is of the supreme importance of truth. The Jewel – consisting of a seven pointed star on which are two crossed swords, points upwards, in gold or gilt, on a green enamel circle suspended from a green ribbon.

Grand High Priest: Many believe this should be the last Degree taken, the candidate is anointed, consecrated and set apart to the service of God in the High Priesthood. This is a truly uplifting ceremony which is rather special. The Jewel – consisting of a mitre superimposed on a triangle, apex pointing upwards, in gold and gilt, suspended from a red ribbon.

Experience the last Grand Council Meeting

On Tuesday, 22 October, Freemasons gathered at Freemasons’ Hall, London, for the Annual Meeting of The Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees. The Grand Master, M.W.Bro. Thomas Firth Jackson, presided despite a recent health challenge. The meeting included routine business, a tribute to the late M.W.Bro. Michael Edward Herbert, Past Grand Master, and the re-election of the Grand Master, proposed by R.W.Bro. Ian Bailey, who was also reappointed as Deputy Grand Master. 

The Grand Master conferred Grand Rank appointments and promotions on 109 Brethren. Representatives from international Districts and Masonic Orders were warmly welcomed. Gratitude was expressed to attendees, and congratulations were extended to all honorees.