Seymour York Rite

The York Rite of Freemasonry

The Capitular degrees are part of the York Rite of Freemasonry.  The York Rite of Freemasonry
is a system of degrees which includes those of the Lodge, the Chapter, the Council and the Commandery.  This rite is often referred to as the American Rite.  Although most degrees originated in Europe, it is only in North America that they are arranged logically into a system.  Therefore, it is only in North America that the degrees attain their highest level of development.  Consequently, the York Rite is often referred to as the American Rite.

The York Rite was named from a belief, commonly held in the 18th century, that British Masonry
originated in York, England, under either Edwin of Northumbria in 627A.D. or Atheistan in 926A.D.
Although there is o evidence to support this belief, the name York became closely associated with
Ancient Craft Masonry.  After King Edwin was converted to Christianity in 627A.D., he ordered
cathedrals to be erected for Christian worship and organized the Masons at York to carry on that work. The York Grand Lodge believed that its body descended from that organization.

In 926A.D.  Atheistan either organized or reorganized the Masons at York and gave them a charter.  The other English Grand Lodges claimed that Freemasonry in England descended from the body chartered by Atheistan and headed by his son or brother Edwin.  During much of the 18th century there were two English Grand Lodges, the Moderns and the Ancients.  Both asserted they were "York Masons."

The Ancients began their Warrants as follows: "To all whom it may concern: We the Grand Lodge of the most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons (according to the Old Constitutions granted by his Royal Highness Prince Edwin at York, Anno Domini Nine hundred and twenty-six) in ample form assembled, etc."

The Grand Secretary of the Moderns stated in 1769: "The Society of Ancient York Masons, under the direction of the Grand Lodge, was transferred many years ago to London.  Ours is the real Ancient Grand Lodge of York."  This statement is based on the action of the Grand Lodge in 1721 in ordering Dr. James Anderson to codify the "old Gothic Constitution," which is another name for the "York Constitutions."**

The degrees of the York Rite in most jurisdictions are as follows:

The Symbolic (Blue) Lodge

       1.    Entered Apprentice
        2.    Fellowcraft
        3.    Master Mason

Chapter of Royal Arch Masons

       4.    Mark Master
        5.    Past Master (Virtual)
        6.    Most Excellent Master
        7.    Royal Arch Mason

Council of Cryptic Masons

        8.    Royal Master
        9.    Select Master
               Super Excellent Master (optional)

Commandery of Knights of Templar

        10.   Order of the Red Cross
        11.   Order of Malta
        12.   Order of the Temple

If you would like a York Rite Petition,  Click here to print or download
a PDF file - York Rite Petition -

**From the Indiana Monitor and Royal Arch Mason's Guide Compiled by Edward R. Graham, Grand Lecturer. First print 1995 

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