Holy Royal Arch

The Holy Royal Arch is a degree of Freemasonry. The Royal Arch is present in all main masonic systems, though in some it is worked as part of Craft (‘mainstream’) Freemasonry, and in others in an appendant (‘additional’) order. Royal Arch Masons meet as a Chapter; in the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch as practised in the British Isles, much of Europe and the Commonwealth, Chapters confer the single degree of Royal Arch Mason.

King George VI – The King and the Craft

King George VI

This document encapsulates the views of HM King George VI on the pivotal role of Freemasonry in fostering spiritual and moral regeneration within society. Drawing from a letter dated November 5, 1951, addressed to MW Bro Rt Hon the Earl of Scarbrough, King George VI articulates his long-standing belief in Freemasonry’s positive impact. Despite his inability to personally install Lord Scarborough as Grand Master due to his final illness, his message resonates with earlier sentiments expressed during his attendance at Grand Lodge events. Born in 1895 and initially destined for a supporting role within the Royal Family, King George VI’s active service during World War I and subsequent involvement in Freemasonry underscored his commitment to public service and philanthropy. This document explores his Masonic journey, highlighting his initiation into the Navy Lodge No. 2612, his reflections on Freemasonry’s charitable works, and his broader contributions to British society and the empire.

Robert Burns – Freemason, Bard of Ayrshire & Ploughman Poet

Robert Burns

Burns’s rise in popularity for his poems also contributed to his rise in Freemasonry. At a meeting of Lodge St. Andrew in Edinburgh in 1787, at which the Grand Master and Grand Lodge of Scotland was present, Burns was toasted by the Worshipful Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Francis Chateris, with the words “Caledonia and Caledonia’s bard, Bro. Robt. Burns”

Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research – Grand Lodge

365946805 The Grand Master Duke of Kent is introduced to RCS research department secretary Martyn Coomer by FFSR Chairman Anthony West

Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research support for Royal College of Surgeons – Freemasonry Today

Chapter support for surgical research Established with £587,629 in 1967, the Grand Lodge 250th Anniversary Fund is a registered charity supporting the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS). By the end of 2013, the fund’s capital was £3.7 million, despite providing more than £4.3 million in grants during the previous 45 years. However, with lower returns and the increased cost of financing Fellows to undertake surgical research, fulfilling the fund’s aspirations was becoming difficult. Supreme Grand Chapter therefore decided to launch an appeal to support the RCS in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the Royal Arch, and £2.5 million was raised. From this year, two Royal Arch Fellows in every five fellowships will be supported. To reflect these changes, the fund was renamed The Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research (FFSR) on 1 January 2015.

A.G.Mackey – Selected Writings – Royal and Select

Mackey royal select

During research I was doing into the Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem I came across a book in the George Holden library at the Solent Masonic Centre at Freshwater, Isle of Wight called the Book of the Chapter and printed in the United States in 1856, the Author being the famous American Masonic historian Albert Mackey MD. The book had been part of the collection of the Bombay Masonic Library in the latter half of the 19th century.


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