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ST LAWRENCE THE MARTYR. 
This is the Degree in which candidates are admitted and in which administrative work is carried out. It is based on an old operative ceremony which tells the story of the Martyrdom of St Lawrence and teaches the lesson of fortitude.

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GRAND TYLERS OF SOLOMON. 
​This shares similarities with another Masonic Degree, it was originally called “Select Masters of 27” and tells the story of how a well-known craftsman accidentally intrudes into a secret vault under King Solomon’s Temple and how the three Grand Masters decided his fate.

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GRAND HIGH PRIEST. 
​A beautiful ceremony full of symbolism. It is closely associated with the early Holy Royal Arch and a number of other Masonic Degrees. Amongst others, the characters involved are Aaron and Melchizedek. We are taught that we are set apart for high duties and responsibilities both as a man and a Mason and to dedicate ourselves to service to the Most High God and our fellow men.

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KNIGHT OF CONSTANTINOPLE. 
​Tells the story of how Emperor Constantine the Great related with Freemasons. It teaches us the lesson of humility.

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RED CROSS OF BABYLON. 
​A very old Degree, with similar versions being worked with different names by other Orders around the world. It is set at the time of the rebuilding of the second Temple and includes references to Cyrus, Darius and Zerubbabel. There is an important symbolic feature of passing over a river.

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PLYMOUTH COUNCILS and the Degree of KNIGHTS OF CONSTANTINOPLE

In our District are the three remaining Time Immemorial (TI) Plymouth Councils:- 
​St Aubyn Council 33TI, Red Cross Council 34TI and Edgcumbe Council 35TI
(which now meets at Barnstaple).

These are allowed exclusively to continue to wear their distinctive aprons and jewels and most importantly, they are they only Councils allowed to continue working the Degree of
Knights of Constantinople in much the same form as that practised since 1865.

​It is well worth visiting one of these Councils to witness the working of this very interesting and elaborate Degree.

You can read an article about William Brockman's apron and jewel on our "members" page.
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​The Secret Monitor Degree

This Degree has many similarities to the Secret Monitor Degree, or Order of David and Jonathan,
as now practised in England.  It teaches the lessons of humility and equality.

For many years, the Secret Monitor Degree was included amongst the Allied Masonic Degrees
(as was the "Order of Holy Wisdom" and and other Degrees which have subsequently been taken under the authority of the Grand College of Knight Templar Priests). However, since 1887, The Secret Monitor Degree had also been worked in England under the authority of The Grand Council of the Secret Monitor.  This was obviously an undesirable situation, so in 1931,it was agreed that the earlier American version being worked under the authority of the Allied Masonic Degrees would cease to be worked and therefore this earlier version become a "Dead Degree". 


Being now a dead degree, it can be demonstrated, but not conferred (some elements have been modified to protect the current Secret Monitor Degree), so the District of Devon and Cornwall have formed a Demonstration Team led by our previous District Grand Prefect, R.W. Bro. Anthony Vickery which by arrangement, can travel to any Masonic Lodge, Chapter, Council, Conclave or any other Masonic assembly to demonstrate it.

If you would like an interesting alternative to a talk or lecture, why not book us to demonstrate this interesting old Degree at one of your meetings?

Contact - Jim Evans. Tel. 01803 865128. or email:jimalbertevans@gmail.com

Each unit is called a Council and there are now more than 200 Councils worldwide.

Candidates are required to be a Mark Master Mason and a Holy Royal Arch Companion in addition to being a Craft Mason. 
 
Regalia worn includes the impressive group of 5 miniature jewels shown on a separate page.
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In the District of Devon and Cornwall, the Councils are located in:-  
Barnstaple, Hayle, Seaton, South Brent, Tywardreath, plus 3 Councils in Plymouth.