Once considered the most important Degrees in the early years of Freemasonry and so dogmatic was the Mother Grand Lodge - from which all Speculative Masonry derives - that in 1813, when the two grand lodges in England united, a firm and solemn landmark was adopted and placed in the Articles of Union to […]

The degrees of the York Rite are classified as Symbolic (Lodge of Master Masons). Capitular (Chapter of Royal Arch Masons), Cryptic (Council of Cryptic Masons), and Chivalric (Commander of Knights Templar). The Capitular Degrees derive their name from the title of a meeting of Royal Arch Masons - a Chapter. The word chapter comes from […]

To understand the Capitular Degrees, it is important to understand 18th century Masonic history. Prior to the second quarter of 18th Century, it becomes difficult to prove that anything more than two Degrees of Freemasonry existed – Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft. Current research suggests the Master Mason Degree appeared no earlier than 1721, with […]