An Overview of The Royal And Select Masters
The Order of Royal and Select Masters was introduced into England from the United States of America in the early 1870’s, with the first Book of Constitutions and Regulations being published in 1874. Before this time in the late 18th, early 19th century, isolated degrees of the Order were worked in the North of England, but as a complete sovereign body the rite only existed in the USA.
The Order itself was formally introduced into Scotland in 1877 when Scottish Royal Arch Masons obtained their dispensation to work the degrees, and in 1880 the Scottish Grand Council was constituted. Cordial relations were immediately set up between the English and Scottish Grand Councils.
The Grand Council of the Order of Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales and its Districts and Councils Overseas governs four degrees from Mark Masons’ Hall in London. These degrees must be taken consecutively, they are the degrees of: Select Master, Royal Master, Most Excellent Master and Super-Excellent Master. These degrees cover periods between the Mark and Royal Arch Degrees.
To become a Royal and Select Master you require to be both a Mark Master Mason and a Royal Arch Mason.
Total No of Warranted RSM Councils : 310
No of Subscribing members : 5,000
No of RSM Districts : 9
No of RSM Inspectorates : 1
Unattached RSM Councils : 15
Oldest RSM Council : Grandmasters warranted 5.11.1885
Annual meeting of the Grand Council : 3rd Tuesday of April
Administrative Head Office : Mark Masons Hall, 86, St.James Street, London SW1 1PL, United Kingdom
There are Four Degrees and are taken in the following order
Select Master (SM) – The story of the preparation for the building of the Temple commenced in the Mark Degree and in this degree the Three Grand Masters are concerned that the Ark and the Treasures could be lost forever if the Temple were to be ransacked. The scene is set in the Secret Vault beneath the Temple and relates the story of what happened to a well known mason, who had frequent contact with King Solomon, accidently enters the Vault.
Royal Master (RM) – The Temple, being almost completed, the Overseers are anxious to receive the Master Word before the Temple is finally completed. One Overseer, Adoniram, seeks assurance from Hiram Abif of when he will receive the Word and be honoured as a Royal Master. The reply by Hiram Abif is probably one of the most moving and fascinating pieces of ritual a Mason will ever experience in any Masonic Order.
Most Excellent Master (MEM) – This Degree commemorates the completion and dedication of the Temple to the Most High and the honouring and celebration of those workman who had built the Secret Vault and is intimately associated with Mark Masonry. Hiram Abif has been slain and after a period of mourning the Holy Treasures are transferred to the completed Temple. This Degree is akin to the ”Passing of the Veils” worked as the Excellent Masters Degree in Scotland and can be taken in Bristol Freemasonry.
Super-Excellent Master (SEM) – This Degree unites the M.E.M with the Holy Royal Arch. The story of this Degree is of the imminent destruction of the Temple, which had stood for well over400 years, when Jerusalem had fallen to the Romans under Nebuchadnezzar and his army. The King, his family and the principal citizens were taken into captivity in Babylon. The puppet King, Zedekiah having fled, leaves the citizens to defend the Temple and they pledge their duty to do this in their devotion to God.
The Solomonic Legend
| 974–967 BC |
preparation of materials and the start of building of the Temple - Mark |
| 969–968 BC |
building progressing and construction of a secret vault - Select Master |
| 968 BC |
death of HA - Royal Master (and Raising in Craft) |
| 967 BC |
dedication of the temple - Most Excellent Master |
| 586 BC |
destruction of Temple – the word is lost - Super-Excellent Master |
| 534 BC |
recovery of the word - Royal Arch |
