THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH

37 This was originally a separate degree, but came to be seen as the 'completion’ of the degree of Master Mason at the unification of the Grand Lodge of England with the Antients in 1813, although it is under the separate control of the Grand Chapter, not the Grand Lodge, both of whom operate from Freemasons’ Hall in London. The Information booklet contains (p.17) a reminder that ‘the Master Mason’s degree includes the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch’ and recommends that Master Masons ‘should be encouraged in their Lodges to complete their Third Degree by seeking exaltation in a Royal Arch Chapter’ which is technically possible four weeks after taking the Third Degree: and it is possible for the same men to be officers of both (Christian by Degrees, p.74).