Freemasonry in the English and Welsh Constitution begins with "The Craft". It is from here that Freemasonry has evolved and you need to be a member of the Craft to be able to call yourself a Freemason. It is governed by the United Grand Lodge of England, based at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, London.

Having become a Freemason, many members chose to compliment or enhance their Masonic interests by joining the "Progressive Orders". Mark Mason's Hall administers ten such Orders which, if active in Oxfordshire, can be seen below.

As the Craft degrees have evolved, so too have independent Orders of Freemasonry and rituals peculiar to them. Prominent among them in England and Wales is the Ancient and Accepted Rite, whose Chapters are grouped into Districts and administered by a Supreme Council from its headquarters at at 10 Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6BS. The Rite is frequently referred to as the 'Rose Croix', although this is only one of its degrees.

Allied Masonic Degrees

History and Origin of the Allied Masonic Degrees

The Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees was formed in 1897 to bring under its direction all lodges of various orders who recognised no central authority and were not regulated by the other major governing bodies. Initially the degrees of Grand High Priest, St Lawrence the Martyr, The Red Cross of Babylon and Knights of Constantinople placed themselves under the control of this body and by 1897 the degrees of Grand Tilers of Solomon, one degree of the Secret Monitor and the order of Holy Wisdom (Knight Templar Priest grades) had also been included. Eventually, however, in 1923 a Grand College of Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests for England was erected at Newcastle and the Grand Council accordingly disclaimed control of this large group of degrees. Following this in 1931 the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees agreed to cease working their single degree of the Secret Monitor and so today private Councils of the Order are empowered to work the degrees of :

Oxford Council Installation 26th October 2019

Royal & Select Masters

Welcome

Sometimes referred to as The Cryptic Degrees this fascinating Masonic Order refers to the steps taken by King Solomon to safeguard the treasures of his Temple at Jerusalem, by building a secret underground vault, or crypt, in which they could be hidden against times of trouble.

A companion admitted to the Order receives four degrees. These are Select Master, Royal Master, Most Excellent Master, and Super Excellent Master, and are taken in that sequence. These degrees cover the 500 year period between the building of the first and second Temples. It is a fascinating story, being demonstrated by some of the most beautifully constructed ritual in the whole of Freemasonry and is laced with intriguing moral precepts. The discerning ritualist and the Masonic historian will be delighted alike by what they discover.