Understanding the Knight Templar Degrees in York Rite and Scottish Rite

The York Rite and the Scottish Rite are both significant branches of Freemasonry, each with its unique set of rituals and degrees. While both include a degree known as Knight Templar, there are subtle but important differences that set them apart. This article aims to clarify these distinctions and provide a comprehensive understanding of the Knight Templar degrees in both rites.

The York Rite

The York Rite includes a series of degrees that culminate in the Knight Templar degree, which is conferred in the Commandery of Knights Templar. This branch emphasizes Christian themes and the chivalric aspects of Masonry. The York Rite consists of three main bodies: the Royal Arch Masonry, the Cryptic Masons, and the Knights Templar.

The Scottish Rite

The Scottish Rite is separate from the York Rite and has its own set of degrees, which can go up to the 33rd degree. While the Scottish Rite includes a degree known as the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, it does not have a degree titled Knight Templar. Instead, the Scottish Rite focuses more on philosophical teachings and moral lessons with a broader range of themes beyond just chivalry. The six highest degrees of the Scottish Rite are all considered Knight Templar degrees, making the themes of chivalry and knighthood central to these levels of the Craft.

Scottish Rite's Connection to the Knight Templar Degrees

According to an article by Pete Normand, 33°, in the Fall 2008 issue of The Plumbline, the quarterly newsletter of the Scottish Rite Research Society, the three highest degrees of the Scottish Rite are all Knight Templar degrees. The 30th Degree, Degree, is the oldest and original Knight Templar degree in Freemasonry. In the 1760s, it was the 24th Degree of Etienne Morin’s Order of the Royal Secret.

After the Scottish Rite was created in 1801, the Knight Kadosh Degree became the 30th Degree, and the 31st, 32nd, and 33rd Degrees were also designated as “Kadosh” Degrees, thereby making them Knight Templar degrees. The original ritual for the 31st Degree includes the tribunal of the Knights Templar and is the final test for the candidate before advancing to the 32nd Degree. The Egyptian Trial of the Dead was added at a later time but represents the final trial.

The 32nd Degree is particularly Templar in nature, and if one has received the 33rd Degree and paid attention, they are fully aware of its Knight Templar aspects. The 28th Degree, Knight Commander of the Temple, is also a Knight Templar degree, providing a narrative of the survival of the Templars among the Teutonic Knights of Germany. The 29th Degree, Scottish Knight of St. Andrew, similarly tells the legend of the participation of fugitive Knights Templar at the Battle of Bannockburn and their formation into the Knights of St. Andrew by King Robert the Bruce of Scotland.

The Sirific Council 33° is a neo-Templar organization. Its head is called a “Grand Commander,” whose jewel of office is that of the Grand Master of the Knights Templar. The full name of the Supreme Council is: “The Supreme Council of the 33rd and Last Degree of the Knights Commander of the Holy House of the Temple of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.”

This title cannot be more clear about the connection of these premier degrees of the Scottish Rite to the knightly legacy of the Knights Templar.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, while both the York Rite and the Scottish Rite include a degree known as Knight Templar, the specific details and historical context of these degrees differ. Understanding these distinctions enriches one's knowledge of Freemasonry and highlights the rich tradition of chivalry and honor that continues to be a guiding principle within these rites.