The qualification for membership of the Order is that of being a subscribing Prince in the Order of the Secret Monitor. The current Ancient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord is a descendant of the Royal Order of Knights of the Scarlet Cord, which was developed in the British Isles in 1889. The rituals and ceremonies of this earlier Order were derived from eighteenth century documents in the Amsterdam Masonic archives They were rewritten and enriched by His Honour Judge Fredrick Adolphus Philbrick, KC, and worked as appendant grades to the Order of the Secret Monitor. The rituals of the six grades of the Order were taken from Old Testament times, commencing at the period of Joshua, the fall of Jericho and the story of Rahab. The main purpose of the original Order, which ceased working in 1929, was to raise considerable sums of money for the Order of the Secret Monitor Benevolent Fund, which still plays a significant role in Masonic welfare provision. A paper on the original Order written and delivered in 2001 by Peter Glyn Williams, then Grand Supreme Ruler of the Secret Monitor, stimulated interest in the long-forgotten rituals. In 2006, a Secret Monitor Conclave was Consecrated with the sole purpose of reviving the old Order and conferring updated versions of the original six grades, some of which only remained in fragmented form. A huge appetite for the grades (Ostiarius, Lector, Fellow, Councillor, Keeper of the Hidden Secret and Prince of Jerusalem) among Secret Monitors led to the Order being inaugurated as a separate Sovereign body in a magnificent ceremony in the Grand Temple at Freemasons’ Hall on 21 July 2010.

R.Dist.Comp. Francis C. Spencer

Consistory Grades

Companions enter the Order as Ostiarii (Doorkeepers) upon their induction into a Consistory, earning the title "Companion of the Scarlet Cord" and the prefix "Comp." This First Grade ceremony, tied to their Mother Consistory, tells the story of Rahab hiding Jewish spies and is symbolised by a golden key jewel, representing silence and introspection. The Second and Third Grades, conferred in any Consistory, elevate candidates to Lectors and Fellows (or Healers & Exorcists). These ceremonies involve significant participation from Consistory members, offering roles for both experienced and novice ritualists. The Second Grade, Lector, focuses on Ruth’s story, including her marriage to Boaz and the lineage of David, represented by a golden scroll jewel with a Greek inscription.

Preparation and Installation

Before being installed as President of the Consistory, a Companion must demonstrate proficiency in the first three Grades through a Preparation ceremony, typically conducted by the officers of Provincial Senatus, either during a visit to the Consistory or a specially convened meeting. Once prepared, the Companion is designated "Emminent" with the title “Em.Comp.” and receives a signed Patent authorising eventual installation as President of the Consistory. Upon installation, they are dedicated as a High Priest and Judge, becoming a "Distinguished Companion" (Dist.Comp.). In the Third Grade, "Healer & Exorcist," a Companion learns to face adversity in just causes, inspired by the steadfastness of the Maccabees against tyranny. The associated jewel is a skull and crossbones on a ribbon, with an attached silver anointing horn signifying the wearer’s installation as President, an office comparable to Worshipful Master in the Craft degree. The three grades are conferred by the President and Officers of the Consistory, and the Preparation ceremony, once exclusive to the Provincial Senatus, is now conducted within the Consistory.

After Installation

The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades of the Order are advanced ranks conferred on distinguished members for their service and merit, each accompanied by significant ceremonies and unique jewels: 

Fourth Grade (Councillor): Granted to installed Presidents of Consistories, typically after at least four years of service and by Provincial recommendation to the Grand Summus. The ceremony involves the dramatic reenactment of the Ark of the Covenant's journey over the Jordan River into Jericho. The jewel features the Ark of the Covenant on a tri-color ribbon. 

Fifth Grade (Keeper of the Hidden Secret): Bestowed annually by the Grand Summus on Grand Officers for their contributions. The ceremony, held in the Council of the Entrusted, recounts Nebuchadnezzar's attack on Jerusalem and Jeremiah’s efforts to hide the Ark. The jewel is a silver depiction of the Ark surrounded by blazing glory.

Sixth Grade (Prince of Jerusalem): Awarded only by the Grand Summus to the most senior members as a rare honour for exceptional service. The ceremony delves into the Maccabees' struggle for Jewish independence. The gold jewel mirrors the design of the Fifth Grade's. These grades not only recognise members' achievements but also encourage ongoing active participation, with ceremonies expanding on historical and ritualistic themes in Freemasonry.

As with other Orders in Freemasonry, attaining to some of the most senior Grand Ranks earns the additional distinctions of being known as a Very or even Right Distinguished Companion.

Experience the last Grand Senatus Meeting

It was a significant and busy week for the Scarlet Cord, with key ceremonies and meetings held at Mark Masons' Hall. On Thursday, the 5th and 4th Grade conferrals took place, honouring members for their dedicated service to the Order. Dist.Comp. Martyn Greene and Dist.Comp. Prodipto Banerjea served as Representative Candidates for the 5th and 4th Grades, respectively. These ceremonies were highly praised for their quality and impact. On Friday, the Annual Convocation of Grand Senatus followed, drawing a record attendance from across the global Constitution. M.Dist.Comp. Ian Stanley Currans was re-elected as Grand Summus with enthusiastic support, and he re-appointed R.Dist.Comp. Francis Charles Spencer and R.Dist.Comp. Howard Saul Markham as Deputy and Assistant Grand Summus, respectively. The Grand Summus addressed the assembly, highlighting the year’s record growth in membership and outlining future plans, including a trip to France and restructuring in Northern England. He also made surprise promotions, including R.Dist.Comps. John Paternoster, Ian Duff, Roy Leavers, and Trevor Currans. The week concluded with expressions of thanks to the ceremonial and administrative teams, after which everyone enjoyed refreshments, marking the end of three highly successful events.