Beyond the Craft

Masonic diversity: the Companion Orders

Beyond the Craft, Freemasonry offers much more for the inquiring mind. The companion Orders shown below develop diverse philosophical, allegorical and moral themes within a Masonic context. Most of the Companion Orders operate several degrees and, for the committed Mason, represent a treasure-house of fresh insights within an environment of like-minded brethren.
At the least, these Orders require candidates to be Master Masons and some require membership of other orders in addition. Occasionally, membership requires candidates to have been installed as a ruling Master in a preceding degree.
These orders and degrees are autonomous and quite independent, although most of them are in amity with, and recognised by, The United Grand Lodge of England.

In the pages of this section you can find brief descriptions of the Holy Royal Arch, Rose Croix, Mark Master Masons and the Order of the Secret Monitor, all of which are accessible directly from the Master Mason degree without the need for additional qualifications. Other Orders require candidates to have background knowledge obtained through prior membership of qualifying degrees.

Here are links to some of the Companion Orders in and around Buckinghamshire

Mark Master Masons

Allied Masonic Degrees

Knights Templar

Holy Royal Arch

Ancient and Accepted Rite

Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia

Secret Monitor

Royal and Select Masters

Red Cross of Constantine