The Order of Royal and Select Masters, often known as the Cryptic Degrees, is open to those who are both Royal Arch and Mark Master Masons.

It consists of four highly dramatic degrees. They form a vital and interesting link covering the 470 years from the death of Hiram Abiff in the Third Degree until the re-discovery of the underground vault by the sojourners preparing the ground for the foundation of the second temple in the Royal Arch.

The four degrees are said to complete the ‘Circle of Perfection’ the journey from Craft to Royal Arch, known as the Solomonic Degrees.

Select Master Degree

The preparations for the building of the Temple having commenced in the Mark Degree, the three Grand Masters arrange for a small number of Select Masons, sworn to secrecy, to construct a secret vault beneaththe Holy of Holies and deposit replicas therein.

An intruder is detected.

Royal Master Degree

The Temple is nearing its completion and certain Overseers are anxious to receive the Master Word and be honoured with the rank of Royal Master before their employment ceases. Shortly before his death Hiram Abiff explains to one of these Overseers, Adoniram, that with patience and industry he will, in due time, receive it. This discourse is widely regarded as the most beautiful in any Masonic Degree.

Most Excellent Master Degree

Hiram Abif has been slain and after a period of mourning, the holy relics are transferred into the completed temple. King Solomon prepares to dedicate it to the Most High and, to celebrate this joyous occasion, confers the Degree of Most Excellent Master on his most trusted and skillful workmen, amongst whom are those who built the secret vault.

Super Excellent Master Degree

The Temple had stood in all its glory for nearly 400 years but had then fallen to Nebuchadnezzar and his army. The King and his principal citizens were taken into captivity in Babylonia. Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar’s puppet King, has rebelled against him and fled, leaving the remaining citizens to defend the Temple and pledge their devotion to God. The Israelites make plans for their inevitable fate.

On completion of the first Cryptic Degree of Select Master, a Companion is invested with the jewel of the Order, which consists of a skeleton equilateral triangle of white enamel, surmounted by a gold Imperial Crown suspended from a crimson ribbon.

When he has passed through the remaining three Degrees, he is entitled to wear the triangular apron. The Triangle is of course an emblem of the Deity and holds particular significance for Freemasons and is of white kid with a border of crimson silk edged with gold braid. Officers of private Councils wear crimson collars, from which is suspended a gilt jewel of the emblem of their office.