anyone part of this or can shed some light on this masonic "sub-group"?

The degrees in question may be found in the UK having been imported from the Unites States of America. Here it consists of five degrees that of ‘Select Master’, ‘Royal Master’, ‘Most ‘Excellent Master and Super’, ‘Excellent Master’. Strictly speaking only three of these degrees are ‘Cryptic’.

As you may know the genuine secrets of the Master Mason were lost when the principal architect of King Solomon’s temple died. In the Degree of the ‘Royal Arch of Jerusalem’ the secrets are recovered, having been found in a secret vault beneath the temple. The ‘Cryptic’ degrees extend this by describing the construction of the vault and the deposition of the secrets therein.

The prospective candidate for advancement must be a ‘Master Mason’, a ‘Royal Arch Mason’ and a ‘Mark Master Mason‘ in good standing.

Hope this helps.

Originally posted by Sol Invicis


The prospective candidate for advancement must be a ‘Master Mason’, a ‘Royal Arch Mason’ and a ‘Mark Master Mason‘ in good standing.

The same is true in the US, with the only difference being that the degree of Mark Master Mason is conferred in Chapters of Royal Arch Masons as a prerequisite to being exalted to the Royal Arch; we do not have Grand Mark Lodges, as all Lodges of Mark Masters are under jurisdiction of the Grand Chapters of Royal Arch Masons.

Like you Brethren across pond, we require all Candidates for the degrees of Mark Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason to be regular Master Masons in good standing in some recognized Blue Lodge.

Fiat Lvx.