A warm and cryptic welcome to the website for the District of Kent, Order of Royal and Select Masters. "The Cryptic Degrees" is a fascinating Masonic Order which has nothing to do with either crosswords or riddles but refers to the steps taken by King Solomon to safeguard the treasures of his Temple at Jerusalem, by building a secret underground vault in which they could be hidden in times of trouble.

If you are a Master Mason, as well as a Companion of the Holy Royal Arch and a Mark Master Mason, you are qualified for membership of this most enlightening of Masonic Orders. One senior mason says "I wish I had known about it years ago and not joined it so late. It deserves to be better known".

The Order of Royal and Select Masters, to give the proper name, consists of four degrees, plus, what I would describe as a 'reward degree' called the Degree of the Silver Trowel, or Order of Anointed Kings. Those just joining need be concerned only with the four Degrees. These are called The Select Master, Royal Master, Most Excellent Master and Super Excellent Master. They are taken in that sequence.

Those Freemasons who are both Master Masons in the Craft and Companions of the Holy Royal Arch Chapter will know the story in the latter takes place approximately 500 years after the Third Degree in the Craft. The Royal and Select Masters, as well as some of the Degrees of the five Allied Masonic Degrees, show what happened in the intervening years. It is a fascinating story, being demonstrated by some of the most beautifully constructed ritual in the whole of Freemasonry. The discerning ritualist and the Masonic historian will be delighted by what they discover. If you are qualified to join and would like to do so, please ask, a step I am sure you will not regret. I always look forward to warmly greeting new members personally in each of the eight Councils of this District.

I am grateful to Worshipful Brother Clive Manuel, District Grand Prefect for Kent of the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees for permitting us to share one website as it demonstrates the close relationship between these two Orders of English Freemasonry .

I hope you are intrigued. Please read on to find out more.

Right Illustrous Companion Roger Joseph Ernest O'Brien
District Grand Master for Kent