History

In 1801 these were formed into the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. As these degrees were developed many of their themes, as in Craft Masonry, dealt with the pre-Christian era and had no connection with Christianity. Since 1801 some Supreme Councils have reverted to the universality of Craft Masonry and allow members of all religions to join. The Supreme Council 33º for England and Wales and its Districts and Chapters Overseas which controls the Ancient and Accepted Rite (A & A R) was founded in 1845. Any Brother who has been a Master Mason in UGLE for at least 6 months and who is willing to join the Order by means of a degree based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth is eligible for membership.

The Rose Croix ceremony (Perfection) is the only ceremony which can be worked in full by a Chapter. The first three degrees of Craft Masonry are accepted by The Supreme Council for England and Wales as the equivalents of the first three degrees of the A & A R. The intervening degrees from the 4º to the 17º (the Intermediate Degrees) are conferred by name only. The first 18º ritual dates from 1765 and is influenced by the legends and descendants of the builders of the Temple at Jerusalem taking refuge in a mountain in Scotland called Heredom. After participating in the Crusades masons then returned from the Holy Land and spread Masonry throughout the world. Several of the degrees of the A & A Rite include parts of this story.

The Rite was probably (not proven) constituted by Frederick II of Prussia in 1762. This likely references the double-headed eagle branding. The practice of the Rose Croix degree is first recorded in England in about 1770. The Knights Templar degrees were starting in England at about the same time and eventually the Rose Croix took its place as the final or “ne plus ultra degree” of the English Knights Templar encampments. The Supreme Council 33º for England and Wales and its Districts and Chapters Overseas was founded in 1845 under a patent obtained from America by a Dr Crucefix who had a deep interest in degrees outside the Craft. After 1845 Rose Croix Chapters gradually moved to their present position as the 18º of the A & A R.

The ceremony seeks the Perfection of the elemental values of Christianity and like minded Faiths, namely Faith, Hope and Charity. It is thought provoking, impressive and beautiful which instils the warmth of Brotherly love on which our whole Masonic movement is founded.

All degrees of the Rite from 4º – 33º are the responsibility of and administered by the Supreme Council. They were developed during the period 1730-1801, mainly before 1780. The 4º – 13º may be considered as extensions of the Master Masons legend referring to the completion of King Solomon’s Temple at Jerusalem. The 14º – 16º refer to the rebuilding of the Temple and were developed in France around the same time using similar material as the Royal Arch degree in England. The 17º is a mystical preparation for the 18º.

The District of East Kent came into being in 2002 when the District of Kent then under the direction of Inspector General V.Ill.Bro. Harry Graham, was split into two parts. The first Inspector General of East Kent was V.Ill.Bro. Leslie Denyer who served from 2002 – 2008. He was followed by V.Ill.Bro. Tony Denne (2008 – 2018) who in turn was succeeded by the current incumbent V.Ill.Bro. Roger Waltham in 2018.