York Rite
The York Rite, also known as the “American Rite,” is a ritual system of Freemasonry consisting of a collection of separate Masonic bodies and associated degrees that would otherwise operate independently. It is based on the teachings of symbolic Masonry practiced in the early 18th century and, together with the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, constitutes one of the principal Masonic rites in the Anglo-American world. The term is used primarily by American Masons, although the corresponding bodies and degrees exist worldwide.
Etymology and Foundational Legend
The name of the rite derives from the city of York, in Yorkshire, England. According to Masonic legend, the first meetings of Masons in England were held in York. Tradition relates that in the year 925, King Athelstan appointed Edwin of Northumbria, his brother, not his son, as clarified by Masonic lexicographer Frau Abrines, as Grand Master of the Brotherhood of Masons, with the lodges of the kingdom meeting in York and approving the first York Constitution, which was supposedly revised in 1350 by Edward III. It should be noted that these events constitute Masonic legend, not documented historical fact, and lack corroboration from external historical sources.
History
Background: The Grand Lodge of 1717
In 1717, the first Grand Lodge of England was formed, which specified that lodges could only confer the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. However, many lodges conferred other additional degrees, especially Royal Arch Masonry.
The Schism of 1751: Ancients and Moderns
In 1751, the lodges that conferred additional degrees formed their own Grand Lodge, calling themselves “Ancients,” while the members of the Grand Lodge of 1717 were called “Moderns.” This division reflected differences in ritual practice and the interpretation of Masonic degrees.
The Union of 1813 and the Inclusion of the Royal Arch
In 1813, when the two Grand Lodges of England united, they proclaimed: “Pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees only… including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.” This declaration officially recognized the Royal Arch as an essential part of symbolic Masonry, although its administration remained separate from the Blue Lodges. Masonic historian Albert Mackey described the York Rite as “the first rite used in the Grand Lodge of England.”
Expansion to France and America
The York Rite passed to France in 1724 and from there to America, where it underwent a particular development that would give rise to North American variants.
Geographic Variants
York Rite in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, several rites derived from the common York stock are practiced. The Emulation Rite is the most popular in England, while in Wales a rite almost identical to the North American one is practiced. Both are variations of the older Scottish York Rite.
York Rite in the United States
In the United States, the York Rite is organized into three main bodies: the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Council of Royal and Select Masters (or Cryptic Masons), and the Commandery of Knights Templar. This structure differs significantly from European practices.
York Rite in Latin America
In Latin America, the “York Rite” is often actually the English Emulation Rite, which differs from the North American York Rite (based on the Rite of the Ancients). In Peru, the York Rite as practiced in Scotland predominates; in Bolivia, although the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is predominant (85%), the Emulation Ritual and a variant called the Bolivian York Rite are also practiced. Outside the United States, there are significant differences in ritual and organization.
Structure and Degrees
Symbolic Masonry (St. John’s Lodges)
The foundation of the York Rite is formed by symbolic lodges or “Blue Lodges,” which confer the three fundamental degrees:
- 1st: Entered Apprentice
- 2nd: Fellow Craft
- 3rd: Master Mason
These degrees are conferred by regular Grand Lodges in each country.
Capitular Masonry (Royal Arch)
Capitular or Royal Arch Masonry constitutes the second body of the rite. In Scotland, the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons confers the degrees of Mark Master, Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason. In the United States, the degrees are Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch.
Cryptic Masonry (Council)
The Council of Royal and Select Masters, also known as Cryptic Masonry, confers degrees related to the legends of Solomon’s Temple. In Scotland, the series includes Royal Ark Mariner, Step of Babylon (Knight of the Sword, Knight of the East, Knight of the East and West), and the Cryptic degrees proper: Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master. In the United States, the Cryptic degrees are Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master.
Templar Masonry (Commanderies / Priories)
Templar Masonry constitutes the third body of the rite. In Scotland, the Great Priory of Scotland confers the degrees of Squire and Knight, and the Order of Malta of Scotland confers the degrees of Knight of St. Paul and Knight of St. John of Jerusalem and Malta. In the United States, the Knights Templar confer three orders.
Membership Requirements and Relationships Between Bodies
Membership in the Royal Arch is always required and must be maintained to belong to the other two bodies (Council and Commandery). Cryptic Masonry may be skipped in some jurisdictions to gain access to the Knights Templar. The Knights Templar require members to be willing to defend the Christian faith; non-Christians may join only the Royal Arch and the Council.
Symbolic Meaning
Capitular or Royal Arch Masonry is not a degree in itself, but rather culminates the third degree, which is found to be incomplete in all rites. The experience of a Master Mason is not complete until he has been exalted to this Holy Order. The York Rite houses, in addition to symbolic Masonry, Capitular Masonry (Royal Arch) and Templar or Chivalric Masonry, forming a complete system that develops the teachings of the construction of the inner temple and the search for the lost truth.
Context
The York Rite represents one of the oldest and most widespread Masonic traditions, with roots in 18th-century England and a particular development in the United States. Its structure of separate but interrelated bodies reflects the historical evolution of Anglo-American Freemasonry, where the essential unity of the three symbolic degrees is complemented by Capitular, Cryptic, and Templar systems that delve deeper into Masonic symbolism and teaching. Its influence extends worldwide, with local variants adapting the ritual and organization to the traditions of each country.