St Saviour Lodge of Installed Masters No. 8433 gathered in York for a fascinating presentation by W Bro David Burnett on the Holy Royal Arch and the intriguing “Sussex Fudge”.

Historically, the Antients regarded the Royal Arch as the culmination of Craft Masonry and, in effect, a fourth degree. The Moderns held a very different view. When the two Grand Lodges united in 1813 under the Duke of Sussex, carefully chosen wording declared that Pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, “including” the Holy Royal Arch, creating the compromise that became known as the “Sussex Fudge”.

The evening also illustrated the value of joining a Lodge of Installed Masters: continuing one’s Masonic education, sharing experience, exploring history and ritual more deeply, renewing friendships and supporting those following in our footsteps. Reaching the Master’s Chair is an important milestone, but it is certainly not the end of the Masonic journey.

Our sincere thanks to W Bro David for a most interesting and thought-provoking presentation.