In the early part of the nineteenth century, many ’additional’ degrees were worked in England.  The Warrants for such degrees were originally granted by the Antients who held the view that any degrees could be worked under Craft Warrants which they granted.

After the formation of the United Grand Lodge in 1813, groups of degrees were gradually organised into separate Orders, each with their own governing bodies.

However, well into the second half of the century, a number of degrees without any allegiance to these centralised authorities were still being worked in many parts of the country.

In 1879, the Grand Council of the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees with headquarters at Mark Masons Hall, was formed to give cohesion to these separate degrees and to ensure working with standard rituals.  As a further objective to protect England from the invasion of foreign jurisdictions, it was declared that no new Masonic body could be legally established in England without the approval of a consortium consisting of this new Allied Degree Council together with the governing bodies of the Knights Templar, Ancient and Accepted Rite (Rose Croix), Mark Masters, Red Cross of Constantine and Royal and Select Masters.  Subsequently, the Grand Council granted Warrants to others as diversely spread as Tunis, Malta, Llandudno and Calcutta.

The number of degrees worked by the Allied Degree Council has varied over the years and the history of the Order make interesting, if complex reading.  The Order of the Secret Monitor was one of these until it became independent in 1931.

Following an understanding reached in 1931, the Grand Council has been responsible for five Masonic Degrees, namely:

ST. LAWRENCE THE MARTYR
This teaches a lesson of fortitude arising from the sufferings of St. Lawrence and is the first degree to be taken by all candidates.

(The remaining four may be taken in any sequence)

KNIGHTS OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Refers to the legendary Constantine and preaches the virtues of humility and equality.

RED CROSS OF BABYLON
Associated with the Royal Arch, it deals with Zerubbabel under the reigns of Cyrus and Darius.

GRAND TYLERS OF SOLOMON
Warns of the great danger of carelessness and of hasty judgment and teaches the importance of careful tiling.

GRAND HIGH PRIEST
Deals with the Blessing of Abraham and the consecration of Aaron.

Candidates for the Order must be both Mark Master Masons and Royal Arch Companions.  When he has passed through all five degrees, the Candidate qualifies for the pentagonal Breast Jewel of the Order.

In recent times, the Council of the Allied Degrees have been authorised to work only five degrees and in 1972 when the Constitution was extensively revised, the title of the Order became The Grand Council of the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales and Territories Overseas.

Candidates for the Order must be both Mark Master Masons and Royal Arch Companions.  When he has passed through all five degrees, the Candidate qualifies for the pentagonal Breast Jewel of the Order.

REGALIA:  Breast Jewel