Royal & Select Masters
Cryptic Masonry
Structure
The Cryptic Rite was introduced into England in the 1870s. Whilst part of the ceremonies had been
worked in the North of England in the 18th and 19th Centuries the complete rite as a sovereign body
existed only in the USA and formed part of the "York" or American rite. The first Book of Constitutions
was published in 1874 although it was not until 1930 that the regalia was standardised.
There are four degrees in the "Cryptic series" which are worked in Councils under the jurisdiction of
the Grand Council of the Order of Royal and Select Masters.
The Cryptic degrees can be said to fill part of the void in the progression between the Craft
ceremonies and the Royal Arch ceremony. The four degrees worked are the Select Master, the Royal
Master, the Most Excellent Master, and the Super Excellent Master.
Candidates
Candidates must be Royal Arch Masons and Mark Master Masons.
Select Master
In order to protect the Jewish treasures, King Solomon builds a secret vault in which to store them.
This degree covers an incident during the building of the vault.
Royal Master
The event and consequences of the death of the Grand Master Hiram Abif. To many members of Royal and
Select Masters, the ceremony of the Royal Master includes one of the most impressive pieces of ritual,
undertaken by the Principal Conductor of the Work, surpassing even that of Principal Sojourner in the
Royal Arch.
Most Excellent Master
The completion and dedication of the Temple at Jerusalem, and the gradual disappearance of the secret
vault into the realms of legend.
Super Excellent Master
Jerusalem and the Temple are besieged by a Chaldean army and are on the point of capture and
destruction.