GENERAL REGULATIONS

ESTABLISHED BY THE
SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER FOR THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE ORDER OF

ROYAL ARCH MASONS

OF ENGLAND

Published under the Authority of the

Supreme Grand Chapter

london
freemasons’ hall
GREAT QUEEN STREET, WC2B 5AZ

2024
The following are the principal editions of the Royal Arch
Regulations to have been published since the formation of the United
Grand Chapter in 1817 (renamed Supreme Grand Chapter in 1822):

1817 8vo. 1910 1970 2007

1823 1912 1978 2009
1843 1913 1979 2012
1852 1916 1984 2014
1864 1917 1989 2016
1869 1926 1995 2019
1875 1933 1999 2023
1879 1942 2001
1886 16mo. 1956 2003
1907 1961 2005

RECORD OF AMENDMENTS TO
THE ROYAL ARCH REGULATIONS OF 2024
Date approved by
Change No. Date of Insertion
Supreme Grand Chapter

210
 Supreme Grand Chapter
OF
ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF ENGLAND

THE GRAND CHAPTER having approved of this Revised Edition

of the General Regulations, the Committee of General Purposes has
accordingly superintended its publication.

Grand Scribe E

211
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Declaration 207

The Grand Chapter 207

Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters 216

Chapters Abroad not under a District 230

Overseas Grand Chapter Rank 230

Private Chapters 232

Chapters of Instruction 258

Committee of General Purposes 258

Regalia, Clothing, Insignia and Jewels 260

Fees and Contributions 270

Illustrations of Regalia, Clothing, Insignia and Jewels 273

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 GENERAL REGULATIONS

ESTABLISHED BY THE SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER

FOR THE

GOVERNMENT OF THE ORDER

OF

ROYAL ARCH MASONS

OF ENGLAND

When the Rules of Craft Masonry apply

IN all cases for which special provision is not made by the following
Regulations, the Order of ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF ENGLAND
shall be considered as bound by the Constitutions of the Antient
Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, hereinafter referred to as
the Grand Lodge, and its proceedings shall be regulated thereby, as
nearly as circumstances will permit.
The Grand Chapter
1. The interests of the Order are governed by a general
representation of all private Chapters on the Register, and the
Grand Officers, present and past, with the Three Grand Principals
at their head. This collective body is styled the SUPREME GRAND
CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF ENGLAND and is
hereinafter referred to as ‘the Grand Chapter’.

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 Grand Chapter

Rank and Precedence of Members

2. The Members of the Grand Chapter rank in the following order:
1. The First Grand Principal.
2. The Pro First Grand Principal.
3. Past First Grand Principals.
4. Past Pro First Grand Principals.
5. Second Grand Principal.
6. Past Second Grand Principals.
7. Third Grand Principal.
8. Past Third Grand Principals.
9. Metropolitan Grand Superintendents.
10. Past Metropolitan Grand Superintendents.
11. Grand Superintendents.
12. Past Grand Superintendents.
13. President of the Committee of General Purposes.
14. Past Presidents of the Committee of General Purposes.
15. Grand Registrar.
16. Past Grand Registrars.
17. Grand Scribe E.
18. Grand Scribe N.
19. Past Grand Scribes E.
20. Past Grand Scribes N.
21. Grand Director of Ceremonies.
22. Past Grand Directors of Ceremonies.
23. Grand Sword Bearer.
24. Past Grand Sword Bearers.
25. Grand Inspectors.
26. Past Grand Inspectors.
27. Grand Treasurer.
28. Past Grand Treasurers.
29. Deputy Grand Registrar.
30. Past Deputy Grand Registrars.
31. Deputy Grand Scribes E.

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 Grand Chapter

32. Past Deputy Grand Scribes E.

33. Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies.
34. Past Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies.
35. Deputy Grand Sword Bearer.
36. Past Deputy Grand Sword Bearers.
37. Principal Grand Sojourner.
38. First Assistant Grand Sojourner.
39. Second Assistant Grand Sojourner.
40. Past Principal Grand Sojourners.
41. Past Assistant Grand Sojourners.
42. Assistant Grand Scribes E.
43. Past Assistant Grand Scribes E.
44. Grand Standard Bearer.
45. Past Grand Standard Bearers.
46. Grand Organist.
47. Past Grand Organists.
48. Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies.
49. Past Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies.
50. Grand Janitor.
51. Past Grand Janitors.
52. The Three Principals of every private Chapter.
53. Past First Principals of every private Chapter if qualified
under Regulation 5.
Members of the Grand Chapter who at 1 May 2000 held the
rank of Past Grand Treasurer shall continue to take precedence after
Past Assistant Grand Sojourners.
Additional members may be appointed
3. Companions of eminence and ability, who have rendered
Service to the Order, may, by appointment of the First Grand
Principal, be constituted members of the Grand Chapter, with such
rank and distinction as may be thought proper.

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 Grand Chapter

Titles and Prefixes

4. The prefixes to be accorded to and used by Companions are
as follows:
Most Excellent (M.E.)
The Three Grand Principals and the Pro First Grand Principal;
all Past Grand Principals and Past Pro First Grand Principals.
In the case of Metropolitan Grand Superintendents in and
over Metropolitan Areas, Grand Superintendents in and
over Provinces and Districts and First Principals of private
Chapters the prefix ‘Most Excellent’ is to be attached to
the titles but not to the names of the Excellent Companions
holding such Offices.
Excellent (E.)
Grand Officers, present and past, and Principals of Chapters,
present and past. All other Companions shall be styled
‘Companion’ only.
Salutes
There are no salutes to any Companions in Royal
Arch Masonry.
Qualifications of Past Principals
5. Every Companion who shall have served in the Chair of First
Principal of a Chapter for one year shall retain his seat in the Grand
Chapter so long as he continues to be a subscribing member of a
Chapter; but if such Companion shall not be a subscribing member of
any Chapter under the Grand Chapter he shall cease to be a member
of the Grand Chapter.
If he has resigned in good standing, he will on becoming
a subscribing member of any Chapter under the Grand Chapter
again become a member of the Grand Chapter, but if he has been
excluded or has resigned from any Chapter without having paid his

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 Grand Chapter

subscriptions, he cannot become a member of the Grand Chapter

as a Past First Principal until he has again served the office of First
Principal of a Chapter under the Grand Chapter.
Regular Convocations
6. Two regular Convocations of the Grand Chapter shall be
holden each year, namely on the second Wednesday in the month
of November and on the day following the Grand Festival of Grand
Lodge at which Convocation shall be held the Annual Investiture of
Supreme Grand Chapter.
Especial Convocations
7. The Three Grand Principals, or any one of them in the absence
of the others, may summon Especial Convocations of Grand Chapter
whenever the good of the Order shall in their or his opinion require it.
The particular reason for convening such Especial Convocation shall
be expressed in the Summons, and no other business shall be entered
upon at that Convocation.

GRAND OFFICERS

First Grand Principal

8. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, if an installed First
Principal, shall be First Grand Principal. If the Grand Master be not
so qualified a First Grand Principal shall be elected at each Annual
Investiture and installed forthwith if the appointment be for the
first time.
Pro First Grand Principal
9. The Pro Grand Master, if an installed First Principal, shall be
Pro First Grand Principal.

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 Grand Chapter

Second Grand Principal

10. The First Grand Principal shall appoint at each Annual
Investiture a Second Grand Principal who shall be installed forthwith
if the appointment be for the first time.
Third Grand Principal
11. The First Grand Principal shall appoint at each Annual
Investiture a Third Grand Principal who shall be installed forthwith
if the appointment be for the first time.
Grand Scribe E.
12. The Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, if an installed First
Principal, shall be Grand Scribe E.
Grand Treasurer
13. The Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, if an installed First
Principal, shall be Grand Treasurer.
Grand Registrar
14. The Grand Registrar of the Grand Lodge, if an installed First
Principal, shall be Grand Registrar.
Appointment of Grand Officers
15. The First Grand Principal shall appoint at each Annual
Investiture the following Grand Officers who, together with the
Grand Registrar, Grand Scribe E and Grand Treasurer, are thereupon
to be invested:
President of the Committee of General Purposes.
Grand Scribe N.
Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Grand Sword Bearer.
Deputy Grand Registrar.
Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies.

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 Grand Chapter

Deputy Grand Sword Bearer.

Principal Grand Sojourner.
First Assistant Grand Sojourner.
Second Assistant Grand Sojourner.
Six Grand Standard Bearers.
Grand Organist.
Four Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies.
He may also appoint not more than two Deputy Grand
Scribes E. and not more than two Assistant Grand Scribes E.
Casual vacancies among Grand Officers may be filled by the
First Grand Principal.
Note: Metropolitan Grand Superintendents, Grand Superintendents
and Grand Inspectors, though not subject to annual re-appointment,
are by virtue of their offices Grand Officers. They become Past Grand
Officers upon relinquishing their appointments and take precedence
in accordance with Regulation 2.
Grand Janitor
16. The Grand Janitor shall be appointed by the First Grand
Principal as a vacancy occurs and shall continue in office during the
pleasure of the First Grand Principal.
All Grand Officers to be First Principals
17. No Companion shall be appointed to any office unless he be
a First Principal or a Past First Principal of a Chapter. If any Officer
of the Grand Lodge who would take office in the Grand Chapter by
virtue of his office in the Grand Lodge shall not be thus qualified, the
First Grand Principal shall appoint and invest some other Companion
to hold such office.
Appointment to Past Rank
18. The First Grand Principal is empowered to confer the rank of
a Past Grand Officer on any Companion of ability who is a member
of the Grand Chapter in accordance with Regulation 5.

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 Grand Chapter

Business to be communicated to the Grand Scribe E.

19. Business to be brought under consideration of the Grand
Chapter at any regular Convocation shall be communicated to
the Grand Scribe E. in writing not less than seven days before the
regular meeting of the Committee of General Purposes immediately
preceding such regular Convocation. This Regulation shall not apply
to any business which the Committee of General Purposes shall
authorise to be placed on the paper of business.
Paper of Business
20. A paper of business to be transacted in the Grand Chapter at
each regular Convocation shall be prepared by the Grand Scribe E.
and submitted to the Committee of General Purposes for approval at
the regular meeting immediately preceding such regular Convocation.
To whom papers of business and reports to be transmitted
21. A copy of the paper of business so approved together with
a printed report of the proceedings at the immediately preceding
regular Convocation and at any intervening Especial Convocation
of the Grand Chapter shall be forwarded to all Grand Officers
present and past, and to Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand
Scribes E. at least seven days before the Regular Convocation.
At the same time two copies of the paper of business and
printed report or reports shall be sent to the Scribe E. of each private
Chapter at his address as given on the annual installation return made
in accordance with Regulation 60.
On receipt of these copies the Scribe E. shall immediately
forward one of them to the First Principal for the information of the
members. Copies of the paper of business shall be provided for the
members of the Grand Chapter attending the Convocation.
Any Subscribing member of a Chapter under the Grand
Chapter may have such papers of business, notices and reports

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 Grand Chapter

forwarded to him by post on registering his address with the Grand

Scribe E., and paying such fee as shall be from time to time fixed by
the Committee of General Purposes.
Duty of Grand Janitor
22. The Grand Janitor and his assistants shall, at every Convocation
of the Grand Chapter, attend without the entrance for the purposes of
ascertaining whether Companions seeking admission to the Grand
Chapter are qualified to attend.
Minutes of Grand Chapter
23. At each regular Convocation, the Grand Chapter being
opened, the minutes of the last regular Convocation and of any
intervening Especial Convocation of the Grand Chapter are to be put
for confirmation as a correct record of the proceedings, and no part
of the said minutes nor any matter appearing on the paper of business
shall be read in extenso unless the Grand Chapter shall so direct, or a
Companion, supported by not less than five other companions, shall
so desire, with a view to founding a motion thereon.
Communications from Grand Principals
24. Communications from the Grand Principals, or any of them,
shall be received before the business set forth in the paper of business
is considered.
General Regulation
25. The First Grand Principal, or in his absence the Presiding
Officer, shall have in all respects not herein specifically provided the
same powers and duties as are conferred upon the Grand Master in
the Grand Lodge by the Book of Constitution.

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 METROPOLITAN, PROVINCIAL AND
DISTRICT GRAND CHAPTERS

Formation of Metropolitan Grand Chapters

26. (a) The First Grand Principal has power to form London or
any other specified area in England and Wales into a Metropolitan
Area by the appointment of a Metropolitan Grand Superintendent
whereupon a Metropolitan Chapter shall be formed and given
jurisdiction within such area.
The First Grand Principal has also power to rearrange
boundaries of Metropolitan Areas, and to combine any Metropolitan
Area with another Metropolitan Area or with one or more Provinces
or sub-divide any Metropolitan Area as he may think fit.
The First Grand Principal has also power to declare that any
Chapter meeting within the area of a Metropolitan Grand Chapter’s
jurisdiction shall nevertheless be an unattached Chapter subject to
the direct jurisdiction of the First Grand Principal.
(b) Save as expressly provided in paragraph (d) of this
Regulation or where a particular Regulation makes express provision
for Metropolitan Areas, the provisions of the Royal Arch Regulations,
and of any rules made under the authority of any provision of the Book
of Constitutions or the Royal Arch Regulations, relating to Provinces,
Grand Superintendents in and over Provinces and Provincial Grand
Chapters and their Officers shall apply equally, mutatis mutandis,
to Metropolitan Areas, Metropolitan Grand Superintendents and
Metropolitan Grand Chapters and their Officers.
Appointment of Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent and
Metropolitan Grand Inspector
(c) (i) A Metropolitan Grand Superintendent by patent
under his hand and seal or otherwise may appoint a Deputy
Metropolitan Grand Superintendent, and such number of Assistant
Metropolitan Grand Superintendents (to take rank immediately after
the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent) and Metropolitan
Grand Inspectors (to take rank immediately after the Assistant
Metropolitan Grand Superintendents) as the First Grand Principal

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

may from time to time authorise, to hold office during his pleasure
and to execute forthwith all the powers and duties of such office in
his name.
Qualification for office
(ii) No Companion may be so appointed unless he shall
be a present or past First Principal of a Chapter.
(iii) A Metropolitan Grand Superintendent within one
month of the appointment must transmit in writing the name and
address of his Deputy, of his Assistants and of any Metropolitan
Grand Inspectors to all the Chapters of his Metropolitan Area, and
also to the Grand Scribe E. for registration.
(iv) A Deputy or Assistant Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent or a Metropolitan Grand Inspector may be invested
either in the Metropolitan Grand Chapter or in a private Chapter
within the Metropolitan Area.
(d) Royal Arch Regulations 27, 28A, 31, 32, 33, 34, 34A
and 53 shall not apply to Metropolitan Areas, Metropolitan Grand
Superintendents and Metropolitan Grand Chapters and their Officers.
Metropolitan Grand Rank
(e) (i) Metropolitan Grand Superintendent may once a year
confer Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank, designated by reference
to the name of his Metropolitan Area (e.g. London Grand Chapter
Rank), on Past First Principals in Chapters of his Metropolitan Area,
who have rendered long and meritorious service to Royal Arch
Masonry in the Metropolitan Area and are members of the Grand
Chapter in accordance with Regulation 5, to a number not exceeding
one for every Chapter in his Metropolitan Area registered in the
books of the Grand Chapter on 1 September of the preceding year.
Masonic Celebration
(ii) On such occasions as shall seem to him proper
either for Masonic celebration or otherwise, the First Grand Principal
may authorise a Metropolitan Grand Superintendent to confer

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank on an additional number of

qualified Companions.
Metropolitan Chapter Rank
(iii) A Metropolitan Grand Superintendent, to the
extent that the numbers permitted to be appointed to Metropolitan
Grand Chapter Rank under this Regulation have not been exceeded,
may confer the rank designated Metropolitan Chapter Rank on
Companions in Chapters of the Metropolitan Area who are not
Installed First Principals but have rendered long and meritorious
service to Royal Arch Masonry in the Metropolitan Area, the holders
of such rank to take precedence immediately after Past Metropolitan
Grand Stewards; and any holder of Metropolitan Chapter Rank
shall, in the event that he becomes a Past First Principal and thereby
a member of the Grand Chapter in accordance with Regulation 5,
thereupon become a Holder of Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank
without the need for further appointment.
Additional Metropolitan Grand Ranks
(iv) A Metropolitan Grand Superintendent may also
at his discretion and without regard to the above limitation confer
Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank on Past First Principals in
Chapters of his Metropolitan Area who have rendered long and
meritorious service to Royal Arch Masonry in his Metropolitan Area
and who are Officers (present or past) of Provincial or District Grand
Chapters or holders of Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank (in another
Metropolitan Area) or Overseas Grand Chapter Rank.
Senior Metropolitan Grand Rank
(v) A Metropolitan Grand Superintendent may
annually at his discretion appoint Past First Principals who already
hold Metropolitan or any Overseas Grand Chapter Rank, or Past
Provincial or District Grand Officers, to be holders of Senior
Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank.

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

(vi) The holders of such respective ranks shall be

entitled to wear at all Royal Arch meetings the distinctive regalia
prescribed under Regulations 85, 87, 94, 96 and 97, but can claim
precedence as such only within their Metropolitan Area.
(f) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that any
Brother who before 1 October 2003 was a holder of Senior London
Grand Chapter Rank, London Grand Chapter Rank, or London
Chapter Rank shall in all respects be treated as a holder of the
equivalent Metropolitan rank, notwithstanding that he may no longer
be a subscribing member of a Chapter within that Metropolitan Area
or of any Chapter under the Grand Chapter.
Metropolitan Grand Officers
(g) A Metropolitan Grand Superintendent is also empowered
to appoint annually from among the Installed First Principals in
Chapters of his Metropolitan Area in addition to a Second and Third
Metropolitan Grand Principal such Metropolitan Grand Officers as
are specified in the Schedule to this Regulation. The Companions
appointed to such Offices, other than that of Metropolitan Grand
Steward, shall, if not already holders of Senior Metropolitan Grand
Chapter Rank, or Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank (as the case
may be), be appointed to such of those ranks (and shall be counted
against the quota, if any, provided in paragraph (e) above), and shall
rank amongst themselves for investiture and otherwise in the order,
specified in the Schedule. Metropolitan Grand Stewards appointed
to that office after 31 December 2021 shall rank immediately after
the Holders of Metropolitan Grand Rank, and on ceasing to hold
office shall be designated Past Metropolitan Grand Stewards and
shall rank immediately after the Metropolitan Grand Stewards. With
the exception of Metropolitan Grand Superintendents, present and
past, Metropolitan Grand Officers can claim precedence as such only
within their own Metropolitan Area. They are, however, entitled to
wear their regalia as defined in Regulations 88, 90, 94, 96 and 97 at
all Royal Arch meetings.

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

SCHEDULE TO REGULATION 26:

APPOINTMENTS AS METROPOLITAN GRAND OFFICERS

Senior Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank:

Metropolitan Grand Scribe E
Metropolitan Grand Scribe N
Metropolitan Grand Treasurer – elected
Metropolitan Grand Registrar
Metropolitan Grand Director of Ceremonies
Metropolitan Grand Sword Bearer
Metropolitan Deputy Grand Registrar
Metropolitan Deputy Grand Scribe E
Three Metropolitan Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies
Metropolitan Deputy Grand Sword Bearer
Not more than sixty Metropolitan Assistant Grand Inspectors
Metropolitan Grand Almoner
Metropolitan Grand Charity Steward
Metropolitan Grand Membership Officer
Metropolitan Grand Communications Officer
Metropolitan Grand Mentor

Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank:

Metropolitan Grand Sojourner
Metropolitan First Assistant Grand Sojourner
Metropolitan Second Assistant Grand Sojourner
Metropolitan Assistant Grand Scribe E
Five Metropolitan Grand Standard Bearers
Metropolitan Grand Organist
Five Metropolitan Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies
Metropolitan Grand Janitor

Metropolitan Grand Stewards:

Ten Metropolitan Grand Stewards

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

Metropolitan Grand Treasurer to be elected annually

(h) The Metropolitan Grand Officers shall be annually
appointed in the Metropolitan Grand Chapter, and such Officers
whenever practicable shall be then invested together with the
Metropolitan Grand Treasurer who shall be elected annually.
Casual Vacancies
(i) Casual vacancies among Metropolitan Grand Officers
may be filled by the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent, and the
rank, if any, required to be conferred in accordance with paragraph
(g) above shall not be counted against the quota there referred to.
(j) A Metropolitan Grand Superintendent within one month
of the appointment must transmit, in writing, the name and address
of his Second and Third Grand Principals, to all Chapters of his
Metropolitan Area, and also to the Grand Scribe E. for registration.
(k)
Formation of Provincial and District Grand Chapters
27. The First Grand Principal has power to form any specified
area in England into a Province and overseas into a District by the
appointment of a Grand Superintendent whereupon a Provincial
or District Chapter shall be formed and given jurisdiction within
such area.
The First Grand Principal has also power to rearrange
boundaries of Provinces or Districts and to combine any Provinces
or Districts or subdivide any Province or District as he may think fit.
Appointment of Grand Superintendents
28. The appointment of a Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or
Grand Superintendent is a prerogative of the First Grand Principal,
by the grant of a Patent to be held during his pleasure. By this patent

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent is

invested with appropriate authority in and over his Metropolitan Area,
Province or District. He shall be installed at the first Metropolitan,
Provincial or District Grand Chapter which he may hold after his
appointment, and until such installation he shall not be qualified to
perform any of the functions of his office, except that of summoning
the Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter to meet for
the purpose of his installation.
Deputy Grand Superintendent
28A. (i) A Grand Superintendent by patent under his hand
and seal or otherwise may appoint a Deputy Grand Superintendent
to hold office during his pleasure and to execute forthwith all the
powers and duties of such office in his name.
(ii) No Companion may be so appointed unless he shall
be a present or past First Principal of a Chapter.
(iii) A Grand Superintendent within one month of the
appointment must transmit in writing the name and address of the
Deputy to all the Chapters of his Province or District and also to the
Grand Scribe E. for registration.
(iv) A Deputy Grand Superintendent may be invested
either in the Provincial or District Grand Chapter or in a private
Chapter within the Province or District.
Provision in the case of the death of a Grand Superintendent and of
other contingencies
29. In the event of the death, resignation, suspension or removal
of a Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent,
the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Deputy Grand
Superintendent, if there be one and he be available, or failing him
the Second Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Principal, if

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

he be available, or failing him the Third Metropolitan, Provincial

or District Grand Principal shall (without prejudice to the rights of
the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent
designate under Regulation 28) exercise all the functions of
Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent until a
Companion is duly appointed and has been installed as Metropolitan
Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent. No person so
exercising those functions shall thereby acquire the right to any
additional rank or distinction: while so acting such person shall be
designated by the name of the office held by him with the words ‘in
charge’ added thereto.
If for any other reason the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent
or Grand Superintendent be not available the Deputy Metropolitan
Grand Superintendent or Deputy Grand Superintendent, if there be
one and he be available, or failing him the Second Metropolitan,
Provincial or District Grand Principal, or if he too be not available
the Third Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Principal, or if
he too be not available the Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand
Officer of such Metropolitan Area, Province or District next senior
and then available shall exercise the functions of Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent or Grand Superintendent subject to any direction of
the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent.
Membership of Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter
30. In addition to the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or
Grand Superintendent the Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand
Chapter consists of the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or
Deputy Grand Superintendent if there be one, the other Metropolitan,
Provincial or District Grand Officers and of the Principals of all
Chapters under such Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand
Chapter and also (so long as they may respectively be both members
of the Grand Chapter and subscribing members of a Chapter under
such Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter) the Past

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Officers and the Past First

Principals of any Chapter under the Grand Chapter.
Provincial or District Grand Officers, acting and past
31. (a) A Grand Superintendent is empowered to appoint
annually in addition to a Second and Third Provincial or District
Grand Principal no more than such acting Provincial or District
Grand Officers as are specified in that column of the schedule to
this Regulation which is appropriate to the number of Royal Arch
Masons in his Province or District registered in the books of the
Grand Chapter on 1 September of the preceding year, and in addition
to make appointments to any past Provincial or District Grand Rank
which he is empowered to confer as an acting office, except that of
Past Deputy Grand Superintendent, Past Second or Third Provincial
or District Grand Principal or Past Assistant to the Provincial or
District Grand Principals; but so that the aggregate number of first
appointments to acting offices and past ranks shall not in any one
year exceed the number of Chapters in his Province or District so
registered, subject only to the proviso that no Grand Superintendent
shall be prevented thereby from appointing the number of acting
ranks indicated in the appropriate column of the schedule.
(b) On such occasions as shall seem to him proper either
for Masonic celebration or otherwise, the First Grand Principal may
authorise Grand Superintendents to confer past ranks.
(c) (i) In addition to the foregoing, a Grand Superintendent
may appoint such number of Assistants to the Provincial or District
Grand Principals as the First Grand Principal may from time to
time authorise.

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

SCHEDULE TO REGULATION 31
NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS TO ACTING RANK
1- 500- 1000- 1500- 2000- 2500- 3000- 3500+
No. of RA Masons in Province/District
499 999 1499 1999 2499 2999 3499
Provincial or District….
Grand Scribe E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Scribe N 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Treasurer (elected - Reg. 31(d)) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Registrar 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Director of Ceremonies 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Sword Bearer 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Deputy Grand Registrar - - - - - 1 1 1
Deputy Grand Scribe E - - - - - 1* 1* 1*
Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3
Deputy Grand Sword Bearer - - - - 1 1 1 1
Grand Almoner 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Charity Steward 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Membership Officer 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Communications Officer 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Mentor 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Grand Sojourner 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1st Assistant Grand Sojourner 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2nd Assistant Grand Sojourner 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Assistant Grand Scribe E 1 1 1 1 1 1* 1* 1*
Grand Standard Bearer 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 6
Grand Organist 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies - 1 2 3 3 3 3 4
Grand Steward 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Grand Janitor 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
21 25 30 34 39 42 46 49

* Over 2500 Royal Arch Masons either a Deputy Grand Scribe E or an Assistant Grand Scribe E may be
appointed, but not both; over 3000 Royal Arch Masons both may be appointed.

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

President of a District Committee of General Purposes

(ii) In addition to the foregoing, the Grand
Superintendent of a District may, if he has appointed a District
Committee of General Purposes in accordance with Regulation 36,
appoint a President of that Committee.
(iii) Provided that in any District, if it shall appear to
the First Grand Principal that the area of that District, the means of
communication or other sufficient reason renders such a provision
desirable, he may authorise the Grand Superintendent to appoint
such additional District Grand Officer or Officers as he may indicate
without regard to the limitation herein before stated.
Provincial or District Grand Treasurer
(d) The Provincial or District Grand Officers shall be
annually appointed in the Provincial or District Grand Chapter,
and shall whenever practicable be then invested together with the
Provincial or District Grand Treasurer, who shall be elected annually.
(e) A Companion who has held Provincial or District Grand
Rank is not hereby rendered ineligible for election as Provincial or
District Grand Treasurer.
Casual vacancies
(f) Casual vacancies among acting Provincial or District
Grand Officers may be filled by the Grand Superintendent.
(g) No Companion shall be appointed a Second or Third
Provincial or District Grand Principal or an Assistant to the
Provincial or District Grand Principals unless he be a present or past
First Principal of a Chapter.
(h) A Grand Superintendent within one month of the
appointment must transmit, in writing, the name and address of his
Second and Third Grand Principals, to all Chapters of his Province or
District, and also to the Grand Scribe E., for registration.

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

Appointment to past Provincial or District Grand Rank of Companions

who become Members of a Provincial or District Grand Chapter
32. (a) In addition to the entitlement under Regulation 31(a), a
Grand Superintendent may at his discretion appoint to past Provincial
or District Grand Rank, Officers (present or past) of other Provincial
or District Grand Chapters or holders of Senior London, London or
Overseas Grand Chapter Rank who have become members of his
Provincial or District Grand Chapter.
(b) A Grand Superintendent may also, by dispensation from
the First Grand Principal, appoint to past Provincial or District Grand
Rank any Companion not already qualified under sub-regulation (a)
above who has rendered meritorious service to Royal Arch Masonry
and has become a subscribing member of a Chapter in his Province
or District, from elsewhere.
Promotions
33. A Grand Superintendent may annually at his discretion
promote Provincial or District Grand Officers to any acting office or
past rank that he is entitled to confer under Regulation 31(a).
Precedence of Provincial and District Grand Officers
34. Provincial or District Grand Officers present and past take
precedence among themselves in the order specified in the schedule
to Regulation 31(a), save that a Deputy Grand Superintendent, if
appointed, ranks next after a Past Grand Superintendent, and a Past
Deputy Grand Superintendent next thereafter; an Assistant to the
Provincial or District Grand Principals ranks next after a Past Third
Provincial or District Grand Principal, and a President of a District
Committee of General Purposes present or past, ranks next before a
District Grand Scribe E.

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 Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapters

34A. With the exception of Grand Superintendents present and past,

Provincial and District Grand Officers present and past can claim
precedence as such only within their Province or District. They are,
however, entitled to wear their regalia as defined in Regulations 88,
90, 94, 96 and 97 at all Royal Arch meetings.
By-Laws and Regulations of Provincial and District Grand Chapters
35. The Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter has
the power of framing and revising suitable By-Laws for its own
government, which may provide for the appointment or constitution
of committees and the definition of their powers, and of making
and altering regulations to be observed by the private Chapters and
Companions in the Metropolitan Area, Province or District, but no
such By-Law or regulation nor any revision or alteration thereof
shall be in conflict with or contrary to anything contained in these
Regulations nor be valid until submitted to, and approved by, the
Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent and the
First Grand Principal.
District Committee of General Purposes
36. A Grand Superintendent in and over a District is empowered
to appoint a District Committee of General Purposes to exercise
and perform all such powers and duties as may be referred to it by
him or as may be specified in the By-Laws of the District Grand
Chapter. The By-Laws of the District Grand Chapter shall specify the
composition of such committee in the event of its being appointed.
Convocations of Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapters
37. A Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent
shall hold an Annual Convocation of Metropolitan, Provincial or
District Grand Chapter at which the appointment of the Metropolitan,
Provincial or District Grand Officers shall be made and shall also
hold such other Convocations of the Metropolitan, Provincial or

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District Grand Chapter as he shall consider necessary. All such

Convocations shall be held within the Metropolitan Area, Province or
District unless a dispensation is granted by the First Grand Principal.
Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Chapter Funds
38. Every Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter
shall have power to raise such funds from its members and Chapters
as may be requisite for its purposes. A complete schedule of all such
charges upon members and Chapters shall appear in the By-Laws of
the Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter. Metropolitan,
Provincial and District Grand Chapter Accounts and Audit
39. Regular accounts of the receipts and disbursements of the
Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter funds shall be
kept in accordance with the rules laid down in the Metropolitan,
Provincial or District Grand Chapter By-Laws. These accounts
must be audited once in each year by an auditor or auditors, elected
annually in Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter, who
must, unless a firm of auditors recognised under the Companies
Acts, be a member or members of the Order. Such accounts must
be produced annually at the Convocation of the Metropolitan,
Provincial or District Grand Chapter specified in the By-Laws for
that purpose, and a copy thereof transmitted to the Chapters under the
Metropolitan Area, Province or District.
General Regulation
40. The Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand
Superintendent in and over a Metropolitan Area, Province or District
shall have in all respects not herein specifically provided the same
powers and duties as are conferred upon a Metropolitan, Provincial
or District Grand Master by the Book of Constitutions.

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 CHAPTERS ABROAD NOT UNDER A DISTRICT

Groups of Overseas Chapters and Grand Inspectors

41. In the case of Overseas Chapters not included in any District,
the First Grand Principal shall have power to divide them, or any of
them, into groups and to confer upon Companions appointed by him
such jurisdiction as he may think fit in respect of any such group
or of any such Overseas Chapters. The First Grand Principal shall
have power to alter such groups, to extend or limit such jurisdiction,
and to remove any Companion so appointed, and to appoint any
other Companion in his place. A Companion while holding such
appointment shall be styled Grand Inspector.

OVERSEAS GRAND CHAPTER RANK

Overseas Grand Chapter Rank

42. The First Grand Principal may once a year confer the rank
designated Overseas Grand Chapter Rank on Past First Principals
in Chapters abroad not included in any District who are members
of the Grand Chapter in accordance with Regulation 5 to a number
not exceeding one for every such Chapter registered in the books
of the Grand Chapter on 1 September of the preceding year. On
such occasions as shall seem to him proper for Masonic celebration
or otherwise, the First Grand Principal is empowered to confer
Overseas Grand Chapter Rank on an additional number of qualified
Companions. The First Grand Principal, to the extent that the numbers
permitted to be appointed to Overseas Grand Chapter Rank under
this Rule have not been exceeded, may confer the rank designated
Overseas Chapter Rank on Companions in Chapters abroad not
under a District who are not Installed First Principals, the holders
of such rank to take precedence immediately after the Holders of
Overseas Grand Chapter Rank; and any such Companion shall, in the
event that he becomes a Past First Principal and thereby a member
of the Grand Chapter in accordance with Regulation 5, thereupon

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 Overseas Grand Chapter Rank

become a Holder of Overseas Grand Chapter Rank without the

need for further appointment. The First Grand Principal may also
at his discretion and without regard to the above limitation confer
Overseas Grand Chapter Rank on Past First Principals in Chapters
abroad not included in any District who are Officers (present or past)
of Provincial or District Grand Chapters or holders of London Grand
Chapter Rank. He may also annually at his discretion appoint Past
First Principals who already hold Overseas or London Grand Chapter
Rank, or are Past Provincial or District Grand Officers, to be holders
of Senior Overseas Grand Chapter Rank; such Companions will
thereafter be designated “Holders of Senior Overseas Grand Chapter
Rank”. The holders of such respective ranks shall be entitled, during
the pleasure of the First Grand Principal, to wear at all Royal Arch
meetings the distinctive regalia prescribed under Regulations 85,
87, 94, 96 and 97, but can claim precedence as such only within the
Chapters in which Senior Overseas Grand Chapter Rank, Overseas
Grand Chapter Rank and Overseas Chapter Rank are conferred. A
registration fee, as laid down in Regulation 98, shall be payable
by each Companion upon whom Overseas Grand Chapter Rank or
Overseas Chapter Rank is conferred.

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Petition for Charter for New Chapter

43. Every application for a Charter to hold a new Chapter must
be by petition to the Grand Chapter, signed by not less than nine
Royal Arch Masons regularly registered under the Constitution of
the Supreme Grand Chapter. Provided that in the case of petitions
for Chapters to meet in Districts or abroad not within the territory
of any District Grand Chapter, it shall suffice if at least five-ninths
in number of the signatories are Companions so registered, but no
Companion not so registered shall sign the petition unless he shall
have been exalted in a recognised Chapter, and shall at the same time
promise in writing strict obedience to the First Grand Principal and to
the regulations of the Grand Chapter. The petition must specify every
Chapter to which each signatory belongs and every Chapter to which
he has at any time belonged, and in respect of each of the signatories
must be accompanied by a certificate from every such Chapter giving
the information required by Regulation 70.
To such petition must be added a recommendation either
(a) signed in open Lodge by the Master and Wardens of the
regular Lodge under the Grand Lodge to which the proposed Chapter
is to be attached with the approval of a majority of the members then
present; or
(b) signed in open Chapter by the Principals of a regular
Chapter under the Grand Chapter with the approval of a majority of
the members then present;
and in either case notice that the petition is to be submitted for approval
must have been given on the summons convening the meeting at which
it is to be considered. The petition must then be transmitted to the
Grand Scribe E. for submission to the Grand Chapter, provided that if
the Chapter is proposed to be holden in a Metropolitan Area, Province
or District the petition with the certificates and recommendation
is in the first instance to be forwarded to the Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent or Grand Superintendent who is to transmit the same
with his observations thereon to the Grand Scribe E.

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Form of Petition for Charter

44. The following is the form of petition for a Charter to hold a
new Chapter:

‘To the Supreme Grand Chapter of

Royal Arch Masons of England
WE, the undersigned, being regularly registered Royal Arch Masons
of the Chapters mentioned against our respective names, having the
prosperity of Royal Arch Masonry at heart, are anxious to exert our
best endeavours to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of the
art; and are desirous of forming a new Chapter [to be attached to the
Lodge No. meeting at ]*
In consequence of this desire, we pray for a Charter of Constitution
empowering us to form and hold a regular Royal Arch Chapter, to be
named the “
Chapter” to meet at on the
in the months of
and there to discharge the duties of Royal Arch Masonry in a
constitutional manner, according to the forms of the Order and the
laws of the Supreme Grand Chapter; and we have nominated and do
recommend:
Comp.(AB) ( † of Chapter No. ) to be the
First Principal;
Comp.(CD) ( † of Chapter No. ) to be the Second
Principal; and
Comp.(EF) ( † of Chapter No. ) to be the
Third Principal.

* These words to be omitted if the proposed Chapter is recommended by another Chapter.

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Should the prayer of this petition be granted, we promise

strict obedience to the commands of the First Grand Principal and the
regulations of the Supreme Grand Chapter.’
To this petition must be added the names of the petitioners
and such particulars as are required by the form currently approved
by the Committee of General Purposes which may be obtained on
application to the Grand Scribe E. or to the Metropolitan, Provincial
or District Grand Scribe E.
Precedence of Chapters
45. Save when the petition for its Charter shall have been
recommended by a Chapter, every Chapter shall, except as provided
elsewhere in this Regulation, be attached to a regular Lodge, and
the rank or precedence of the several Chapters shall be determined
according to the number they respectively bear on the register of the
Grand Chapter.
Transfer of Chapters
If the Lodge to which a Chapter is attached is erased the
Chapter may be transferred to another Lodge at the request of
the members of the Chapter and with the approval of such other
Lodge, but shall otherwise retain its existing name and number.
A Chapter may at the request of its own members and with the
approval of the Lodges concerned be transferred from one Lodge
to another. In the case of a Chapter not included in a Metropolitan
Area, Province or District such request for transfer must be sent to
the Grand Scribe E. for submission to Grand Chapter. In the case of
a Chapter in a Metropolitan Area, Province or District the request
must be sent through the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or
Grand Superintendent. The approval of Grand Chapter must be

† Insert as appropriate “First Principal”, “Past First Principal”, “Second Principal”, “Past Second
Principal”, “Third Principal”, “Past Third Principal” or “has served for a full year in the office of”
[whichever is appropriate] “Scribe/Principal Sojourner/Assistant Sojourner”

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received before the transfer becomes effective and any Chapter

thus transferred shall take the number and, unless the First Grand
Principal shall decide otherwise, the name of the Lodge to which it is
transferred. Not more than one Chapter may be attached to any one
Lodge at the same time.
Certificate of Amalgamation
45A. If two or more Chapters desire to amalgamate into a single
Chapter, the First Grand Principal may at his discretion and upon
such conditions as he shall see fit grant a Certificate of Amalgamation.
New Chapter must be regularly Constituted
46. No new Chapter shall be entitled to meet until it has been
solemnly constituted according to ancient usage by one of the Grand
Principals, by the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand
Superintendent of the Metropolitan Area, Province or District, or by
some other Grand Officer or Installed First Principal of a Chapter
appointed to perform that duty. No Companion shall be installed
as Principal except the Companion named in the Charter for such
office unless by sanction of the Grand Chapter. No Chapter shall be
acknowledged, nor its Principals admitted as such into the Grand
Chapter, or a Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter,
unless such Chapter has been regularly constituted and registered.
Chapter not to act without Charter
47. Except as provided in this regulation, no Chapter shall act
without the Charter of Constitution from the Grand Chapter which is
to be specially entrusted to each First Principal at his installation, to
be held by him in safe custody on behalf of the Grand Chapter. The
First Principal shall produce it at every Convocation of the Chapter.

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Charter withheld
If the Charter be withheld by competent Masonic Authority
the Chapter shall suspend its Convocations until the Charter has
been restored.
Loss, etc. of Charter
If the Charter be lost, be improperly withheld from those
lawfully entitled to hold or use the same, or be not available for
production by the First Principal, a full account of the circumstances
shall forthwith be forwarded to the Grand Scribe E. who shall report
the same to the Committee of General Purposes. No Convocation
of the Chapter shall be held until the circumstances have been so
reported but the Committee may, on behalf of Grand Chapter,
authorise a Chapter to resume its convocations pending the issue of a
Charter of Confirmation.
Charter of Confirmation
On the production of adequate evidence by a Chapter as
to the loss of its Charter the Committee of General Purposes may
recommend to the Grand Chapter that a Charter of Confirmation shall
be issued.
If the original Charter be found or be restored to the Chapter
the Charter of Confirmation shall be returned forthwith to the Grand
Scribe E. for cancellation by Grand Chapter.
Officers and Members of a Chapter
48. According to ancient custom a complete Chapter of this
Order of Freemasonry consists of the Three Principals who, when
in Chapter assembled are to be considered conjointly as the Master,
and each severally as a Master, two Scribes, a Treasurer, a Principal
Sojourner, two Assistant Sojourners, and other companions, making
up the number of 72 as a Council: and no regular Chapter can consist

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of more; but any number may be elected, exalted and received as

Companions with all the privileges of membership save that they are
not to hold the staff of office or to be considered as Councillors when
more than 72 are present.
In addition to the above Officers, a Director of Ceremonies,
an Almoner, a Charity Steward, an Assistant Director of Ceremonies,
an Organist, an Assistant Scribe E. and Stewards may be elected or
appointed as the case may be.
Mode of election or appointment
The Officers shall be elected by ballot on the regular day of
election prescribed by the By-Laws of the Chapter, provided that,
except for the Principals and Treasurer who must be elected, it shall
be in order for the Chapter on the day of election to resolve that
they may be appointed by the Principals so elected. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Principals shall be of the opinion that in the
case of any Officer who falls to be elected by ballot in accordance
with this Regulation there is only one Companion who is likely to
be a candidate for election to the Office, they may direct that the
summons for the Convocation at which the election is to take place
shall state that such is their opinion (together with the name of the
Companion concerned), and that unless any member of the Chapter
demands that a ballot be taken for the Office, the named candidate
will be declared elected; when the election of Officers takes place
any candidate so named on the summons shall be declared elected
unless a ballot be demanded for that Officer. The installation of the
Principals, if present, shall take place in accordance with the By-
Laws of the Chapter and shall be followed by the investiture of
the Officers. Any Principal not so installed shall be installed at the
next Convocation of the Chapter at which he may be present or as
provided by Regulation 53.

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Precedence of Officers
The Officers shall take precedence for investiture and
otherwise in the following order: the Three Principals, the Scribe E.,
the Scribe N., the Treasurer, the Director of Ceremonies (if any),
the Almoner (if any), the Charity Steward (if any), the Principal
Sojourner, the Assistant Sojourners, the Assistant Director of
Ceremonies (if any), the Organist (if any), the Assistant Scribe E. (if
any), Stewards (if any) and Janitor.
Janitor
The Janitor, who must be a Royal Arch Mason registered as
such in the books of the Grand Chapter, shall be elected by show of
hands on the regular day of election. A Chapter may, however, resolve
that a subscribing member of the Chapter shall be Janitor without
emolument, in which case he may be either elected or appointed as in
the case of the other Officers.
No Companion who is not a subscribing member of the
Chapter may hold any office therein except that of Janitor. A Chapter
in its By-Laws may provide that the service of its Scribe E. be
equivalent to the appropriate subscription to the Chapter but shall
remit to the Grand Chapter and to the Metropolitan, Provincial or
District Grand Chapter the requisite payments due in respect of his
membership of the Chapter.
Qualification for election as Third Principal
49. No Companion shall be eligible for election to the Third
Principal’s Chair unless he has served the office of Scribe, Principal
Sojourner or Assistant Sojourner of a private Chapter either for a full
year or from the regular period of election or appointment to such
office to the period of election as Principal, provided that the First
Grand Principal may grant dispensation from compliance with this
Regulation on receipt of a petition setting forth the circumstances of
the case and the special reasons for seeking his intervention.

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Qualification for election as Second Principal

50. No Companion shall be eligible for election to the Second
Principal’s Chair who has not at the time of such election been
installed in the Third Principal’s Chair, nor until a full period of one
year has elapsed since his election as Third Principal.
Qualification for election as First Principal
No Companion shall be eligible for election to the First
Principal’s Chair who has not at the time of such election been
installed in the Second Principal’s Chair, nor until a full period of
one year has elapsed since his election as Second Principal.
The First Grand Principal, Metropolitan Grand Superintendent
or Grand Superintendent may, however, grant dispensation from the
observance of this Regulation on receipt of a petition setting forth the
circumstances and the special reasons. But in such case a Companion
shall not be installed in the First Principal’s Chair without having
been previously installed in the Second and Third Principal’s Chairs,
nor in the Second Principal’s Chair without having been previously
installed in the Third Principal’s Chair.
Principals’ periods of office
51. No Companion shall continue as First, Second or Third
Principal of the same Chapter for more than two years in succession
unless by a dispensation which may be granted by the First Grand
Principal, or in a Metropolitan Area, Province or District by the
Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent, but he
may again be elected after he has been out of office one year.
First Principal of more than one Chapter at same time
52. No Companion shall be First Principal of two or more
Chapters at the same time without dispensation from the First Grand
Principal, or, if the Chapters are in the same Metropolitan Area,
Province or District, from the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or
Grand Superintendent.

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Installation of Principal
53. A Principal of a Chapter in the Provinces or Overseas may be
installed out of his Chapter upon production of sufficient proof of his
having been duly elected and at the written request of his Chapter.
Death of Principals and other contingencies
54. If any Principal elect shall die, be removed or become
permanently incapable of discharging the duties of the office, the
Chapter shall at the next regular convocation elect by ballot a Principal
to take his place from among the qualified Companions, if any, not
already serving in or elected to a regular office which expression shall
include that of Principal. If there is no such Companion a dispensation
may be granted by the First Grand Principal, Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent or Grand Superintendent to render eligible a
Companion already holding or elected to a regular office.
Due notice of such intended election shall appear on the
summons and the Principal so elected may be installed forthwith
and any Second or Third Principal so elected and installed, shall,
provided he serves the office until the next regular period of election,
be deemed duly qualified for election as First or Second Principal
as the case may be, notwithstanding less than one year may have
elapsed since his election under this Rule.
Regulation 5 shall apply to every First Principal elected under
this Regulation as if the period of one year therein mentioned were
the period from the date of his being so elected to the date of the next
regular period of installation in the Chapter.
If any Principal shall after installation die, be removed or
become permanently incapable of discharging the duties of his office
then at each convocation until the next regular period of election and
until a successor shall have been duly elected and installed his place
shall be filled pursuant to Regulation 55 as if he were still alive and
in office but absent.

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Absence of First Principal

55. If the First Principal be not present, the Immediate Past First
Principal, or if he be not present, the Senior Past First Principal of
the Chapter, or if no Past First Principal of the Chapter be present,
the Senior Past First Principal who is a subscribing member of the
Chapter shall occupy the First Principal’s Chair.
Absence of Second and Third Principals
If the Second or Third Principal be not present, the First
Principal, or the Past First Principal occupying the Chair for him,
shall invite a qualified Companion to occupy such Principal’s Chair.
Vacancies in regular offices
At each convocation held during a vacancy in any other
office except that of Treasurer or at which any other officer except as
aforesaid is not present the Principals shall nominate a Companion
to act in that office.
Devolution of authority by Principals
56. If the Principals’ absence be only temporary and circumstances
so permit they may exercise such authority over the affairs of the
Chapter as devolves upon them by virtue of their office and in
pursuance of such authority may request duly qualified Companions
to occupy the Chairs and exalt Companions as if they were
themselves present.
Vacancy in office of Treasurer
57. If a vacancy shall occur in the office of Treasurer the same
shall be filled for the remainder of the year by the election of a
member not serving in or elected to a regular office in the Chapter,
which expression shall include that of Principal, and notice that such
election is to be made shall appear on the summons.

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Protracted absence of Treasurer

The First Grand Principal, Metropolitan Grand Superintendent
or Grand Superintendent may upon the representation of the
Principals that the Treasurer by reason of ill health, absence likely to
be protracted, or other special circumstances, is unable to discharge
his duties to the reasonable convenience of the Chapter, grant
a dispensation to the Chapter to elect a member not serving in or
elected to a regular office in the Chapter including as aforesaid to
discharge the duties of the Treasurer until the Treasurer is able to
resume the normal discharge of his duties or until the next regular
period of election, whichever shall first occur.
Ten days’ notice of intention to propose such an election
together with a statement that the requisite dispensation has been
obtained must appear on the summons for the convocation at which
the election is to take place and such convocation may be either an
ordinary convocation or an emergency convocation called by the
authority of the Principals pursuant to Regulation 59.
Days and place of meeting
58. The By-Laws of every Chapter shall specify the regular days
and place of meeting of the Chapter, also the regular convocation for
the election of the Principals and the officers and for their installation
and investiture where such installation and investiture do not take
place on the same date as their election.
No regular convocation may be cancelled nor may any
convocation be held otherwise than at the specified place and on the
specified day. But the First Grand Principal, or in a Metropolitan
Area, Province or District the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent
or Grand Superintendent, may on good cause being shown grant a
dispensation for the holding of such convocation on an alternative
day being not more than twenty-eight days before nor more than
twenty-eight days after the specified day. If any convocation of a

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Chapter at its regular place should be impracticable or undesirable the

First Grand Principal, or in a Metropolitan Area, Province or District
the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or Grand Superintendent,
may grant a dispensation to meet at a specified place to carry on
the general business of the Chapter, and if the specified place be
outside the area of jurisdiction in which the Chapter regularly meets
a dispensation from each of the authorities concerned is necessary.
Emergency Convocations
59. Not more than one convocation of a Chapter may be held
on the same day, but, subject to this restriction, an emergency
convocation of a Chapter may at any time be called by the authority
of the Principals, but on no pretence without such authority. No
business (other than the installation of a Principal) which these
Regulations require to be transacted at a regular convocation shall
be transacted at an emergency convocation, and the business to be
transacted thereat shall not include any business whatsoever except
such as is mentioned on the summons convening the convocation nor
shall the minutes of any previous convocation be read or confirmed at
an emergency convocation except in so far as any such minutes relate
to or affect the validity of the business so mentioned.
Annual Installation Returns
60. Every Chapter, by its Scribe E., shall annually, immediately
after the Installation of the Principals, make a return to the Grand
Scribe E. (upon a printed form which he will provide) of the Principals
and Past First Principals of the Chapter, and all other members who
claim to be entitled to attend the Grand Chapter, specifying the
Chapter in which each has served the office of First Principal and
no Companion shall be permitted to attend the Grand Chapter unless
his name shall appear on such return. This return shall contain the
full name and address of the Scribe E. and shall be signed by the
First Principal.
*Until the Committee of General Purposes has given a direction in relation to any
particular area, the current Regulation (above) will continue to apply.

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60. Every Chapter, by its Scribe E., shall annually, immediately

after the Installation of the Principals, make a return to the Grand
Scribe E. of the Principals and Past First Principals of the Chapter,
and all other members who claim to be entitled to attend the Grand
Chapter, specifying the Chapter in which each has served the office
of First Principal and no Companion shall be permitted to attend the
Grand Chapter unless his name shall appear on such return. This
return shall contain the full names and contact details (which shall,
at least in the case of the First Principal, Treasurer and Scribe E.,
include an e-mail address) of the Principals and all other Officers
appointed, and shall be authenticated by the First Principal.
*The above and amended Regulation has been applied to the following area(s):
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cyprus, Derbyshire,
Dorset, Eastern Archipelago, Essex, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, Guernsey and
Alderney, Hertfordshire, Hong Kong and the Far East, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leicestershire
and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and
Huntingdonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, South Wales, Suffolk, West
Wales and Wiltshire.

Annual Return of Members

61. Every Chapter, by its Scribe E., shall within one month after
the end of its subscription year, if the Chapter meets in a Metropolitan
Area or in a Province, or three months after the end of its subscription
year, if the Chapter meets elsewhere, transmit to the Grand Scribe E,
upon a printed form which he will provide, an annual return of the
Companions who were during such year its subscribing members.
The date of exaltation, joining or rejoining of every new
member shall be given together with the date of election to Honorary
Membership, death, resignation or exclusion of any subscribing
members whose membership has ceased during the year.
Registration of new members
Subject to Regulation 69 every Chapter, by its Scribe E., shall
register with the Grand Scribe E. (upon a printed form which he
will provide) details of all Companions who have been exalted into,
joined or rejoined the Chapter. All such registrations shall be made as

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soon as may be convenient, but in no case later than the time when
the aforementioned annual return is rendered. Such returns and forms
shall be signed by the First Principal and the Scribe E. It shall be the
duty of every Chapter to keep a register of its subscribing members
and to enter therein all the particulars required to be specified in these
returns and forms.
*Until the Committee of General Purposes has given a direction in relation to any
particular area, the current Regulation (above) will continue to apply.
61. Every Chapter, by its Scribe E., shall within one month after
the end of its subscription year transmit to the Grand Scribe E, in
such format as the Committee of General Purposes shall from time to
time prescribe, an annual return of the Companions who were during
such year its subscribing and Honorary members.
The date of exaltation, joining or rejoining of every new
member shall be given together with the date of election to Honorary
Membership, death, resignation or exclusion of any members whose
membership has ceased during the year. Such returns shall be
authenticated by the Treasurer and the Scribe E.
Registration of new members
Subject to Regulation 69 every Chapter, by its Scribe E.,
shall register with the Grand Scribe E. details of all Companions
who have been exalted into, joined or rejoined the Chapter. All such
registrations shall be made as soon as may be convenient, but in no
case later than the time when the aforementioned annual return is
rendered. It shall be the duty of every Chapter to keep up to date
the information in the register maintained by the Grand Scribe E. of
its subscribing and Honorary members and to enter therein all the
particulars required in this Regulation.
*The above and amended Regulation has been applied to the following area(s):
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cyprus, Derbyshire,
Dorset, Eastern Archipelago, Essex, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, Guernsey and
Alderney, Hertfordshire, Hong Kong and the Far East, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leicestershire
and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and
Huntingdonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, South Wales, Suffolk, West
Wales and Wiltshire.

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Remittance of fees
62. Every Chapter when it makes the returns required by
the preceding Regulation shall remit the proper fees and annual
contribution in respect of its members, as laid down in the schedule
of Regulation 98.
Returns by Chapters in a Metropolitan Area, Province or District
63. If a Chapter be in a Metropolitan Area, Province or District
it shall make such returns as are required by the By-Laws of the
Metropolitan Area, Province or District and shall forward the
prescribed fees and contributions to the Metropolitan, Provincial or
District Grand Scribe E.
Penalty for neglect to make returns
64. If any Chapter shall neglect to make its returns and payments
to the Grand Chapter for a period of six months after the same are
due according to these Regulations it shall be liable to erasure or
such lesser penalty as the Committee of General Purposes may
consider fit to impose upon the Chapter or any members thereof who
have been responsible for the neglect. The Principals and Past First
Principals shall not be permitted to attend Grand Chapter by virtue of
a qualification derived from the Chapter until the proper returns and
payments have been made to the Grand Chapter.
Qualifications for exaltation
65. No candidate shall be exalted until he has been a Master
Mason for four weeks at least.
Number of candidates on same day limited
No Chapter shall exalt more than two candidates on the same
day unless by dispensation from the First Grand Principal, or in a
Metropolitan Area, Province or District from the Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent or Grand Superintendent. The application for such
dispensation shall specify the names and Lodges of the candidates
and the special circumstances on which the application is made.

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Candidates
66. Candidates for admission into a Chapter must be duly proposed
and seconded by subscribing members of the Chapter or by Honorary
Members who have served as First Principal of the Chapter, to whom
the candidate is known personally. Such proposition may take place
either at a regular convocation or by notice in writing transmitted by
the proposer to the Scribe E. at least fourteen days before the next
convocation. But no ballot shall take place unless the full name of
the candidate, with his occupation (if any) and place of abode as well
as the names of his proposer and seconder shall have appeared on the
summons to the members of the Chapter. In the case of a candidate
for exaltation the name and number of every Lodge of which he is or
has been a member and the date on which he was raised and in the
case of a candidate for joining the name and number of every Chapter
of which he is or has been a member shall be shown on the summons.
Certificate to be produced
In the case of a candidate for exaltation there must be produced
a certificate from every Lodge of which he is or has been a member
drawn up in accordance with Rule 175, Book of Constitutions, and
in the case of a candidate for joining or rejoining there must be
produced a certificate from every Chapter of which he is or has been
a member drawn up in accordance with Regulation 70.
No candidate for exaltation, joining or rejoining shall be
admitted if on the ballot three black balls appear against him, but the
By-Laws of a Chapter may enact that two black balls or one black
ball shall exclude a candidate; and the By-Laws may enact that a
reasonable period therein prescribed shall elapse before any rejected
candidate can be proposed again. If a candidate is not exalted or does
not take up his joining membership (as the case may be) within one
year after his election the election shall be void. Except in the case of a
Serving Companion or as provided in Regulation 66A every candidate
becomes a subscribing member of the Chapter upon exaltation therein.
*Until the Committee of General Purposes has given a direction in relation to any
particular area, the current Regulation (above) will continue to apply.

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66. Candidates for admission into a Chapter must be duly

proposed and seconded by subscribing members of the Chapter or by
Honorary Members who have served as First Principal of the Chapter,
to whom the candidate is known personally. Such proposition may
take place either at a regular convocation or by notice transmitted
by the proposer to the Scribe E. at least fourteen days before the
next convocation. For this purpose the candidate and his proposer
and seconder shall supply such information, and in such format, as
may from time to time be prescribed by the Committee of General
Purposes. But no ballot shall take place unless the full name of the
candidate, with his occupation (if any) and place of abode as well as
the names of his proposer and seconder shall have appeared on the
summons to the members of the Chapter. In the case of a candidate
for exaltation the name and number of every Lodge of which he is or
has been a member and the date on which he was raised and in the
case of a candidate for joining the name and number of every Chapter
of which he is or has been a member shall be shown on the summons.
In the case of a candidate for exaltation the Scribe E. must
satisfy himself that the candidate is in good standing in each of the
Lodges of which he is a member and that all dues have been paid; he
must also ascertain whether the candidate is indebted to any Lodge
of which he has ceased to be a member and (unless he shall have
resigned in good standing) the circumstances in which he left such
Lodge, and whether at that time all dues were paid, or have since
been paid. In the case of a candidate for joining or rejoining the
Scribe E. must satisfy himself similarly in respect of every Chapter
of which the candidate is or has been a member.
No candidate for exaltation, joining or rejoining shall be
admitted if on the ballot three black balls appear against him, but
the By-Laws of a Chapter may enact that two black balls or one
black ball shall exclude a candidate; and the By-Laws may enact
that a reasonable period therein prescribed shall elapse before any
rejected candidate can be proposed again. If a candidate is not exalted

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or does not take up his joining membership (as the case may be)
within one year after his election the election shall be void. Except in
the case of a Serving Companion or as provided in Regulation 66A
every candidate becomes a subscribing member of the Chapter upon
exaltation therein.
*The above and amended Regulation has been applied to the following area(s):
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cyprus, Derbyshire,
Dorset, Eastern Archipelago, Essex, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, Guernsey and
Alderney, Hertfordshire, Hong Kong and the Far East, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leicestershire
and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and
Huntingdonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, South Wales, Suffolk, West
Wales and Wiltshire.

66A. Every candidate for exaltation, joining or rejoining must both

at the date of his election and the date of his exaltation or admission
be a subscribing member of (a) a Lodge under the United Grand
Lodge of England or (b) a Lodge under a Grand Lodge recognised by
the United Grand Lodge of England (“a recognised Grand Lodge”).
Any candidate exalted or, except in the case of a Companion who is
already a subscribing member of another Chapter under the Grand
Chapter, elected in contravention of this Regulation shall not be
permitted to attend the Chapter to which he was elected or any other
Chapter under the Grand Chapter until he shall have again become a
subscribing member of (a) a Lodge under the United Grand Lodge of
England or (b) a Lodge under a recognised Grand Lodge.
66B. This Regulation 66B shall come into effect on 31 December
2016 and shall apply only in respect of events occurring on or after
that date, so that the position of any Companion who would have
fallen within its provisions if it had been in effect on an earlier date
shall not be adversely affected by it.
A Companion who has at any time been a subscribing member
of a Lodge under the United Grand Lodge of England who shall have
ceased by reason of an event occurring on or after the aforementioned
date to be a subscribing member of every such Lodge to which he
belongs shall, unless he is (a) an Honorary Member of a Lodge under

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 Private Chapters

the United Grand Lodge of England or (b) a subscribing member of

a Lodge under a recognised Grand Lodge, cease also on the date or
dates mentioned below (“the effective date(s)”) to be a subscribing
member of each Chapter to which he belongs, unless in the meantime
he shall have again become a subscribing member of a Lodge under
the United Grand Lodge of England. In the case of each such Chapter
he shall be treated as though he has resigned from that Chapter, unless
at the effective date he is indebted to that Chapter, in which case he
shall be treated as though he has been excluded under Regulation 71.
The effective date shall be the end of the next subscription year after
he ceases to be a subscribing member of every Lodge to which he
belongs under the United Grand Lodge of England.
Nothing in this Regulation shall preclude the attendance of
a Companion at any Chapter of which he is an Honorary Member.
Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter certificates to be produced
67. Every candidate, either for exaltation or joining, who is
a member of a Lodge or Chapter under the English Constitution
shall, before election, submit his Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter
certificate to the Scribe E. of the Chapter for inspection. In the case
of a candidate who is a member only of a Lodge or Chapter not under
the English Constitution, the certificate of the Grand Lodge or Grand
Chapter concerned shall be submitted to the Grand Scribe E. for
inspection, unless the candidate seeks election to a Chapter under
a District Grand Chapter and is a member of a Lodge or Chapter
under a duly recognised Constitution having Lodges or Chapters
within the District; in which case his certificate from such other
duly recognised Constitution may in lieu of being sent to the Grand
Scribe E. be submitted to the District Grand Scribe E. In no case shall
a candidate from any other Constitution be proposed for election until
a certificate that he is eligible has been issued by the Grand Scribe E.,
or District Grand Scribe E., as the case may be, which certificate
must accompany the registration return.

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 Private Chapters

Form of Declaration
Every candidate who has been exalted in a regular Chapter not
under the Supreme Grand Chapter of England shall upon election or
within one year after his election, and before being admitted for the
first time as a member of the Chapter, make the following declaration:
‘I, ............................................................. exalted in the
............................ Chapter, No ........... on the Register of the Grand
Chapter of ........................ do solemnly promise that if I am admitted
a member of this Chapter I will pay strict obedience to the commands
of the First Grand Principal and the regulations of the Supreme
Grand Chapter.’
The declaration shall be made in the Chapter which the
Companion is joining or in some other Chapter under the Grand
Chapter, or in writing witnessed by a Companion, who shall state
the name, number and jurisdiction (which must be a Grand Chapter
recognised by the Grand Chapter) of the Chapter to which he himself
belongs. The declaration validates the election retrospectively and
must be recorded in the Chapter minutes.
Candidates joining from other Constitutions or upon
exaltation, if not in possession of a current edition of the General
Regulations, must be presented with a copy. In the case of an exaltee
the acceptance or possession thereof shall be deemed a declaration of
submission to its contents.
*Until the Committee of General Purposes has given a direction in relation to any
particular area, the current Regulation (above) will continue to apply.
67. Every candidate, either for exaltation or joining, who is
a member of a Lodge or Chapter under the English Constitution
shall, before election, submit his Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter
certificate to the Scribe E. of the Chapter for inspection. In the case
of a candidate who is a member only of a Lodge or Chapter not under
the English Constitution, the certificate of the Grand Lodge or Grand
Chapter concerned shall be submitted to the Grand Scribe E. for

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 Private Chapters

inspection, unless the candidate seeks election to a Chapter under

a District Grand Chapter and is a member of a Lodge or Chapter
under a duly recognised Constitution having Lodges or Chapters
within the District; in which case his certificate from such other duly
recognised Constitution may in lieu of being sent to the Grand Scribe
E. be submitted to the District Grand Scribe E. In no case shall a
candidate from any other Constitution be proposed for election until
a certificate that he is eligible has been issued by the Grand Scribe
E., or District Grand Scribe E., as the case may be, which certificate
must accompany the registration return.
Form of Declaration
Every candidate who has been exalted in a regular Chapter not
under the Supreme Grand Chapter of England shall before election,
upon election or within one year after his election, and before being
admitted for the first time as a member of the Chapter, make the
following declaration:
‘I, ............................................................. exalted in the
............................ Chapter, No ........... on the Register of the Grand
Chapter of ........................ do solemnly promise that if I am admitted
a member of this Chapter I will pay strict obedience to the commands
of the First Grand Principal and the regulations of the Supreme
Grand Chapter.’
The declaration shall be made in the Chapter which the
Companion is joining or in some other Chapter under the Grand
Chapter, or in writing witnessed by a Companion, who shall state
the name, number and jurisdiction (which must be a Grand Chapter
recognised by the Grand Chapter) of the Chapter to which he himself
belongs. The declaration validates the election retrospectively and
must be recorded in the Chapter minutes.
Candidates joining from other Constitutions or upon
exaltation, if not in possession of a current edition of the General
Regulations, must be presented with a copy. In the case of an exaltee

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 Private Chapters

the acceptance or possession thereof shall be deemed a declaration of

submission to its contents.
*The above and amended Regulation has been applied to the following area(s):
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cyprus, Derbyshire,
Dorset, Eastern Archipelago, Essex, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, Guernsey and
Alderney, Hertfordshire, Hong Kong and the Far East, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leicestershire
and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and
Huntingdonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, South Wales, Suffolk, West
Wales and Wiltshire.

Fee for Exaltation

68. When a Brother is exalted into Royal Arch Masonry (except
as provided hereafter by this Regulation) he shall on or before the
day of his exaltation pay to the Chapter the exaltation fee prescribed
in the By-Laws. No Chapter shall forgo or defer the payment of this
sum or any part thereof.
A Chapter may enact in its By-Laws that, in addition to the
exaltation, joining or rejoining fees the candidate shall pay to the
Chapter such registration fees as are payable to Grand Chapter and,
if applicable, Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter,
together with any tax thereon, and the candidate shall before
becoming a member be informed of the total amount due.
Exaltation and status of Serving Companions
A Brother may be exalted as a Serving Companion without
any fee by the Chapter in which he is to serve or by any Chapter
for the service of the Grand Chapter or a Metropolitan, Provincial
or District Grand Chapter, subject to a dispensation first being
obtained from the First Grand Principal, or in a Metropolitan Area,
Province or District from the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or
Grand Superintendent.
Upon the first registration of a Serving Companion as a joining
member of a Chapter the registration fee prescribed by Regulation
98 for exaltation shall be paid by such Chapter, and the Companion

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 Private Chapters

shall be entitled to return the special Grand Chapter certificate in

exchange for a Grand Chapter certificate of the same date as his
original certificate.
Grand Chapter certificates
69. When the particulars of a newly exalted Companion or of a
Companion who has joined the Chapter from another Constitution
have been registered in accordance with Regulation 61 the Grand
Scribe E. shall issue a Grand Chapter certificate, provided always
that no Grand Chapter Certificate shall be issued in respect of a
Companion exalted, or elected a joining member from another
Constitution, in breach of Regulation 66A until he shall have again
become a subscribing member of (a) a Lodge under the United Grand
Lodge of England or (b) a Lodge under a recognised Grand Lodge.
In Districts where the Grand Superintendent is entitled to
order the issue of Grand Chapter certificates the particulars shall
be sent to the District Grand Scribe E. who shall thereupon issue
the certificate and quarterly make a return to the Grand Scribe E. of
all certificates so issued. In such cases the particulars required for
registration shall be included with the annual return rendered to the
Grand Scribe E. on the form which is provided by him.
*Until the Committee of General Purposes has given a direction in relation to any
particular area, the current Regulation (above) will continue to apply.

69. When the particulars of a newly exalted Companion or of a

Companion who has joined the Chapter from another Constitution
have been registered in accordance with Regulation 61 the Grand
Scribe E. shall issue a Grand Chapter certificate, provided always
that no Grand Chapter Certificate shall be issued in respect of a
Companion exalted, or elected a joining member from another
Constitution, in breach of Regulation 66A until he shall have again
become a subscribing member of (a) a Lodge under the United Grand
Lodge of England or (b) a Lodge under a recognised Grand Lodge.

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 Private Chapters

In Districts where a Grand Superintendent is entitled to order

the issue of Grand Chapter certificates the particulars shall be sent to
the District Grand Scribe E. who shall thereupon issue the certificate
and quarterly make a return to the Grand Scribe E. of all certificates
so issued. In such cases the particulars required for registration shall
be included with the annual return rendered to the Grand Scribe E. on
the form which is provided by him.
*The above and amended Regulation has been applied to the following area(s):
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cyprus, Derbyshire,
Dorset, Eastern Archipelago, Essex, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, Guernsey and
Alderney, Hertfordshire, Hong Kong and the Far East, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leicestershire
and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and
Huntingdonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, South Wales, Suffolk, West
Wales and Wiltshire.

Presentation of certificate
A Companion’s Grand Chapter certificate shall be presented
to him in open Chapter and the fact recorded in the minutes except
that in cases where this cannot be done the certificate shall be sent
to him by registered post or delivered to him by hand and the fact
shall be reported to the Chapter at its next regular convocation and
recorded in the minutes.
Certificate must be signed
A Grand Chapter certificate must immediately on receipt be
signed in the margin by the Companion to whom it is issued.
Lost certificate
If a certificate has been lost or destroyed, of which satisfactory
proof must be adduced, the Grand Scribe E. or the District Grand
Scribe E., as the case may be, may issue a replacement to the
Companion to whom the original was issued upon payment of the fee
prescribed in Regulation 98.

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 Private Chapters

Grants of certificates by private Chapters

70. A Chapter shall grant a certificate free of charge to a
Companion whenever required by him in each of the following cases:
(a) When he is a member of the Chapter, a certificate to that
effect and stating (if such be the case) that he is not indebted to the
Chapter, and
(b) When he has been and is no longer a member of the
Chapter, a certificate stating whether he ceased to be a member
by resignation or by exclusion, giving the date and circumstances
thereof, and stating whether he was at the time indebted to the
Chapter and, if so, whether and at what time such indebtedness was
discharged by him.
The certificate shall be dated and, unless handed to the
Companion himself, shall be transmitted by registered post,
the envelope being plainly marked on the outside, ‘Private
and Confidential’.
Except as provided by this Regulation a Chapter shall not
grant a certificate of any kind to a Companion.
Cessation of membership when two years in arrear
71. If the subscription of a member to his Chapter remains unpaid
for two full years, at the expiration of that period he shall cease to be
a member of the Chapter and the fact shall be reported to the Chapter
at its next regular convocation and recorded in the minutes. He can
become a member again only by payment of the arrears followed by
regular proposition and ballot according to Regulation 66.
This Regulation shall not prevent any Chapter proceeding
against any of its members in accordance with Rule 181, Book of
Constitutions, in respect of sums due for a shorter period than two
years, if so provided in its By-Laws.

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 Private Chapters

Effect of suspension in Craft

72. All sentences of suspension from Craft privileges passed by
the Grand Lodge or any other competent authority in the Craft on
a Brother who is a Royal Arch Mason shall, unless such authority
declares to the contrary, suspend such Companion from the equivalent
privilege in Royal Arch Masonry.
All sentences of expulsion by the Grand Lodge shall ipso
facto expel from Royal Arch Masonry.
General
73. In all cases for which special provision is not made herein the
Rules of the Book of Constitutions applying to Private Lodges shall
apply to Private Chapters.

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 CHAPTERS OF INSTRUCTION

74. Chapters of Instruction may be held under regulations similar

to those which are laid down in the Book of Constitutions for the
government of Lodges of Instruction.

COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES

Constitution of Committee
75. The Committee shall consist of the President, the Grand
Treasurer and not more than five additional members appointed by the
First Grand Principal of whom two shall be Grand Superintendents
and one a Past First Principal of a Chapter in a Metropolitan Area.
The additional members shall be appointed from time to time by the
First Grand Principal to serve during his pleasure.
The Committee may from time to time co-opt not more than
one further member to serve until the conclusion of the next Annual
Investiture (or such earlier date as the Committee may determine at
the time of co-opting).
Qualification of Members
The Companions so appointed or co-opted shall be First
Principals or Past First Principals eligible to attend Grand Chapter
under Regulation 5.
An additional member of the Committee shall automatically
retire at the conclusion of the Annual Investiture immediately
following the attainment by him of the age of seventy-five years and
shall not, thereafter, be eligible to be reappointed to the Committee.
Casual Vacancies
Casual vacancies may be filled by the First Grand Principal.
Meetings
76. The Committee shall meet in each of the months of March,
September and December, the dates of the meetings for each

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 Committee of General Purposes

forthcoming year being notified in the Committee’s Report to the

November Convocation of the Grand Chapter. It may be convened at
other times by command of the First Grand Principal or by authority
of the President.
Quorum
77. Three members shall form a quorum.
Absence of President
78. In the absence of the President the member highest in rank in
the Grand Chapter shall preside.
Control of Finance
79. The Committee shall have the control of the finances of the
Grand Chapter.
Audit
The accounts shall be closed each year as at the 31st
December and shall be audited by the firm of auditors elected by
Grand Lodge. These accounts when audited shall be circulated to
every Chapter and presented to the Grand Chapter at the Annual
Investiture next following.
Application for Charters
80. The Committee shall receive and examine all applications for
Charters and shall report thereon to the Grand Chapter.
General duties and powers
81. In addition to the aforesaid duties imposed upon the Committee
the Committee shall take upon itself the same duties, and shall have
the same powers in relation to Royal Arch Masonry as are conferred
upon the Board of General Purposes by the Book of Constitutions
in relation to the Craft: and the proceedings of the Committee shall
be regulated as closely as possible by the rules laid down for the
proceedings of that Board.

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 REGALIA

Clothing and Insignia

82. The regalia, clothing, insignia and jewels to be worn are
as hereinafter described and no Companion shall be admitted into
the Grand Chapter, or any Private Chapter, without the clothing
appropriate to his rank under the Grand Chapter.
Appendix
83. The Appendix of illustrations and descriptions is hereby
declared to be part of the General Regulations.
Unauthorised Regalia
84. No Masonic Jewel, medal, device or emblem shall be worn
in the Grand Chapter or any Private Chapter unless it appertains
to, or is consistent with, an order or degree recognised and
acknowledged by the Grand Lodge or the Grand Chapter as part of
pure Antient Masonry, and has been approved or allowed by the First
Grand Principal.

JEWELS

Jewel of the Order

85. The Jewel of the Order (Plate No. 46) is worn pendant from
a narrow ribbon on the left breast, the colour varying in accordance
with the rank of the Companion:
(a) Present and Past Grand Officers, Metropolitan, Provincial
and District Grand Officers and holders of Metropolitan and
Overseas Rank, if Installed Principals, and holders of Metropolitan
and Overseas Grand Chapter Rank, tri-coloured (dark blue, crimson
and light blue).
(b) All others who are Principals or Past Principals of Private
Chapters, crimson.
(c) All other Companions, white.

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 Jewels

Colours associated with Royal Arch

The three colours customarily associated with the Royal Arch
are purple, crimson and light blue but by long established usage dark
blue has been substituted for purple in the manufacture of regalia.
Grand Officers Present and Past
86. The jewels of office of the Three Grand Principals and of
Grand Superintendents are as shown in Plates Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
These jewels may be worn suspended from a tri-coloured collarette
with Craft regalia.
The jewels of office of the other officers of the Grand Chapter
are composed of an emblem of office which is superimposed upon a
triangle, the whole placed on a double circle containing two branches
of laurel. The whole shall be not more than three inches in diameter
(Plates Nos. 6 to 23).
The jewel of a Past Grand Superintendent is composed of the
emblem of his former office placed on a double circle enclosing a
plate bearing the name of the Province or District concerned.
The jewel of a Past Grand Officer is composed of the emblem
of his office superimposed upon a triangle, the whole placed on a
double circle enclosing a plate bearing the words ‘Supreme Grand
Chapter’. The whole shall be not more than two inches in diameter
(Plate No. 24).
Metropolitan and Overseas Grand Chapter Rank
87. The jewels of the holders of Metropolitan or Overseas Grand
Chapter Rank and Metropolitan or Overseas Chapter Rank are
as shown in Plate No. 25, and shall be not more than two inches
in diameter.
The jewels of the holders of Senior Metropolitan or Senior
Overseas Grand Chapter Rank are shown in Plate No. 26, and shall
be not more than two inches in diameter.

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 Jewels

Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand officers Present and Past

88. The jewel of office of a Deputy Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent or Deputy Grand Superintendent, Present and Past,
is shown in Plate No. 26A.
The jewel of office of an Assistant to the Provincial or District
Principals, Present and Past, is shown in Plate No. 28B.
The jewel of office of an Assistant Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent, Present and Past, is shown in Plate No. 26C.
The jewels of office of the remaining Provincial and District
Grand Officers, Present and Past, are composed of an emblem of
office superimposed upon a triangle and a double circle bearing the
name of the Province or District without further ornament (Plates
Nos. 27, 28, 29 and 30). These emblems are the same as those worn
by the corresponding Officers of the Grand Chapter, except those of
such Provincial or District Grand Officers as are described in Plate
Nos. 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e and 30f.
Save as otherwise provided above, the jewels of present
Metropolitan Grand Officers are similar to those of present Provincial
and District Grand Officers, save that the name of the Metropolitan
Area is to be engraved within the double circle, and the emblems
are the same except that of a Metropolitan Grand Inspector which is
similar to that of a Grand Inspector as described in Plate No. 11, and
that of a Metropolitan Assistant Grand Inspector which is described
in Plate No. 30a.
A Past Metropolitan Grand Officer, other than a Past
Metropolitan Grand Steward, appointed after 31 December 2021,
may wear, instead of the jewel of a holder of Senior Metropolitan
Grand Chapter Rank or Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank (as the
case may be), the jewel described in Plate No. 25A, and a Past
Metropolitan Grand Steward, appointed after that date, shall wear
a jewel not more than two inches in diameter similar to that of his
former office.

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 Jewels

A Past Deputy Grand Superintendent, or Past Second or Third

Provincial or District Grand Principal, if a Grand Officer, may wear,
within the Province or District to which it relates but not elsewhere,
his Past Provincial or District Grand Officer’s Jewel suspended from
a tri-coloured collarette, not more than 1½ inches wide.
A Past Deputy or Assistant Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent, Past Metropolitan Grand Inspector or Past Second
or Third Metropolitan Grand Principal, if a Grand Officer, may
wear, within the Metropolitan Area to which it relates but not
elsewhere, his Past Metropolitan Grand Officer’s Jewel suspended
from a tri‑coloured collarette, not more than 1½ inches wide. For the
purposes of this Rule a Companion who before 26 April 2007 held
the rank of Past Metropolitan Group Chairman shall be treated as
though he were a Past Assistant Metropolitan Grand Superintendent.
The jewel of office shall be not more than three inches in
diameter in the case of a Present Metropolitan, Provincial or District
Grand Officer and not more than two inches in diameter in the case of
a Past Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Officer.
Private Chapters
89. The jewels of Officers and Past First Principals of Private
Chapters shall be as shown in Plates Nos. 31 to 44.
90. All the above jewels shall be of gold or metal gilt.
Optional Jewels
91. Application for permission to wear a Centenary Jewel is
to be by petition or memorial to the Grand Chapter, containing
the necessary particulars as to the origin and regular working of
the Chapter as well as proof of its uninterrupted existence for one
hundred years.
Application for permission to attach a Bi-Centenary Bar
to the ribbon of the Centenary Jewel must be similarly made and

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 Chains and Collars

proof of two hundred years of uninterrupted existence established.

When permission has been granted to a Chapter to wear a Centenary
Jewel (or Bi-Centenary Bar), the privilege of wearing the Jewel (or
Bi-Centenary Bar) is restricted to subscribing members and any
Honorary Member who within the year before his election as such
was a subscribing member.
The designs of a Centenary Jewel with its ribbon and for a
Bi-Centenary Bar have been approved by the First Grand Principal
(Plate No. 45). The fee for a Charter authorising a Chapter to wear
the Jewel (or Bi-Centenary Bar) is prescribed by Regulation 99.

CHAINS AND COLLARS

92. In every case there shall be appended to the chain or collar the
jewel appropriate to the office or rank to which such chain or collar
relates, and no other.
Grand Officers’ Chains
93. In the Grand Chapter and on any occasion when so ordered by
the First Grand Principal the present Grand Officers shall wear chains
of gold or metal gilt (Plate No. 5).
A Grand Superintendent shall wear a chain in his Provincial
or District Grand Chapter or when officially present at any Chapter
in his Province or District, or when visiting another Provincial or
District Grand Chapter.
A Grand Inspector shall wear a chain when officially present
at any Chapter in his Group or when visiting Provincial or District
Grand Chapters.
Grand Officers’ Collars
On all other occasions present Grand Officers shall wear the
appropriate jewel suspended from a collar four inches wide, of dark
blue, crimson and light blue.

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 Chains and Collars

Past Grand Officers’ Collars

Past Grand Officers shall wear the appropriate jewel
suspended from a similar collar on all occasions.
Metropolitan, Provincial, District, and Overseas Grand Chapter
Rank Collars
94. A Deputy or Assistant Metropolitan Grand Superintendent or
Deputy Grand Superintendent shall wear a chain of gold or metal gilt
(Plate Nos. 26B and 26D) in the Grand Chapter, or in his Metropolitan,
Provincial or District Grand Chapter or when officially present at
any Chapter in his Metropolitan Area, Province or District or when
visiting another Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter.
A Metropolitan Grand Inspector shall be permitted to wear
a chain of gold or metal gilt (Plate No. 26E) in the Grand Chapter,
or in his Metropolitan Grand Chapter or when officially present
at any Chapter in his Metropolitan Area or when visiting another
Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter.
Second and Third Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand
Principals shall be permitted to wear a chain of gold or metal gilt
(Plate No. 28A) in the Grand Chapter or in their Metropolitan,
Provincial or District Grand Chapter or when officially present at
any Chapter in their Metropolitan Area, Province or District or when
visiting another Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Chapter.
Except when chains are worn as above, all Metropolitan,
Provincial and District Grand Officers present and past and holders
of Senior Metropolitan or Senior Overseas Grand Chapter Rank,
Metropolitan or Overseas Grand Chapter Rank and Metropolitan or
Overseas Chapter Rank shall wear the appropriate jewel suspended
from a collar two inches wide of dark blue, crimson and light blue.

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 Chains and Collars

A Grand Officer who is performing official duties as a

Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Officer may wear the
appropriate chain or collar of such Metropolitan, Provincial or
District Grand Officer with the apron of a Grand Officer.
Collars of Past First Principals and Officers of Private Chapters
95. Past First Principals of Private Chapters shall wear on all
occasions collars of crimson ribbon four inches wide with gilt braid
a quarter of an inch wide in the centre, and the appropriate jewel
suspended therefrom.
Principals of Private Chapters shall wear collars of crimson
ribbon four inches wide with the appropriate jewel suspended
therefrom in the Chapters of which they are the Principals or
when representing their Chapters in the Grand Chapter, or in their
Provincial or District Grand Chapter or on any special occasion when
ordered by the First Grand Principal.
Other officers of Private Chapters shall wear similar collars
with the appropriate jewel, but only in the Chapter in which they
hold office.

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 APRONS

Aprons
96. Companions shall wear an apron of white lamb skin, from
fourteen to sixteen inches wide, twelve to fourteen inches deep,
rectangular and with a triangular overlap. The apron and the overlap
shall have a border of indented crimson and dark blue except along
the top: this border shall be not more than two inches wide and the
crimson indents shall point inwards (Plate No. 47).
In the centre of the overlap shall be a triangle of white silk
with a gilt border and within the triangle three taus united in gilt
embroidery (hereinafter called the emblem: Plate No. 48).
There shall be two tassels of gold or metal gilt suspended
from beneath the overlap by ribbons.
The backing and ribbons shall be white.
Principals and Past Principals shall wear the same save that
the silk triangle on the overlap with the backing and ribbons shall
be crimson.
Holders of Senior Metropolitan or Senior Overseas Grand
Chapter Rank, Metropolitan or Overseas Grand Chapter Rank and
Metropolitan or Overseas Chapter Rank shall wear the same save
that the silk triangle on the overlap shall be dark blue. In the centre
of the apron there shall be the gilt emblem (if any) of office or rank
superimposed upon an equilateral triangle, the whole placed on a
double circle, the points of the triangle extending to the inner circle. In
the case of Senior Metropolitan or Overseas Grand Chapter Rank the
words, e.g., “London Senior”, or “Overseas Senior” (to correspond
with the jewel) shall be embroidered between the two circles, in
the case of Metropolitan Grand Chapter Rank and Metropolitan
Chapter Rank the name of the Metropolitan Area and in the case of
Overseas Grand Chapter Rank and Overseas Chapter Rank the word
“Overseas”; provided that a Companion appointed to Senior London

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 Aprons

Grand Chapter Rank before 1 January 2000 may continue to wear the
apron of a holder of London Grand Chapter Rank.
The backing and ribbons shall be dark blue.
Holders of Provincial or District Grand Rank, Present
Metropolitan Grand Officers (other than Metropolitan Grand
Stewards) when ordered by the Metropolitan Grand Superintendent
to appear in an Official Capacity, and Present and Past Metropolitan
Grand Stewards shall wear the same, save that the name of the
Province, District or Metropolitan Area shall be embroidered between
the two circles and the points of the triangle upon which the emblem
of office is superimposed shall extend to the outer circle.
The backing and ribbons shall be dark blue.
Grand Officers shall wear the same, save that there shall be a
double indented crimson and dark blue border four inches wide and
in the centre the emblem of office within two branches of laurel all
embroidered in gilt. In the case of Grand Superintendents the name
of the Metropolitan Area, Province or District shall be embroidered
above the emblem.
The backing and ribbons shall be dark blue.

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 SASH

97. All Companions shall wear a sash of the prescribed pattern

(Plate No. 49) over the left shoulder with a silk fringe at the end and
with the emblem embroidered on a white background save that:
(i) In the case of Principals and Past Principals
the fringe shall be of gold or metal gilt and the emblem shall be
embroidered on a crimson background.
(ii) In the case of Companions who hold Grand Chapter
Rank, Senior Metropolitan or Senior Overseas Grand Chapter Rank
or Metropolitan or Overseas Grand Chapter Rank, the fringe shall be
of gold or metal gilt and the emblem shall be embroidered on a dark
blue background. Provincial or District Grand Officers and holders
of Metropolitan or Overseas Chapter Rank shall wear the same save
that if the Companion is not an Installed Principal the fringe shall be
of silk.

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 FEES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Fees payable to the Fund of Grand Chapter

98. Fees shall be payable to the Fund of the Grand Chapter for:
(a) the Registration of
(i) A Grand Officer, present or past, on first appointment
(ii) A Deputy or Assistant Metropolitan Grand
Superintendent or Metropolitan Grand Inspector
(under Regulation 26(c) (iii)), Deputy Grand
Superintendent (under Regulation 28A (iii)), 2nd or
3rd Metropolitan Grand Principal (under Regulation
26(j)) or 2nd or 3rd Provincial or District Grand
Principal (under Regulation 31(h))
(iii) A holder of Overseas Grand Chapter Rank or
Overseas Chapter Rank (under Reg. 42)
(iv) A Royal Arch Mason, inclusive of Grand Chapter
Certificate (on exaltation from a Lodge not under
the United Grand Lodge of England or joining
from a Chapter not under the Grand Chapter unless
already registered under the United Grand Lodge
of England)
1. in a Chapter in a Metropolitan Area or a
Province
2. in a District Chapter
3. in a Chapter abroad not under a District
(b) the replacement or amendment of a Grand
Chapter Certificate
(c) a Certificate for a Serving Companion
(d) a Dispensation by the First Grand Principal
of such respective amounts as fixed by resolution of the Grand
Chapter in April or May of each year to take effect from the first day
of January next following.

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 Fees and Contributions

No fee is payable for the registration of a Companion who

joins a Chapter from another under the Grand Chapter.
99. The fees for Charters for new Chapters, or Charters of
Confirmation, and for Charters, or Charters of Confirmation, for
a Centenary Jewel or Bi-Centenary Bar and for Certificates of
Amalgamation, shall be based on the cost of producing the documents.
<Note: Current costs will be published in the Report of the Committee
of General Purposes to Grand Chapter in April or May of each year,
and be effective from the first day of May of that year.>
100. Contributions shall be payable in respect of each of its
members who has been on the register of the Chapter during any
part of the year for which the Return of Members is made annually
in accordance with Regulation 61 by every Chapter in a Metropolitan
Area or a Province of such amount as shall be fixed for each calendar
year by resolution of the Grand Chapter in the preceding April
or May.

277