History - Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite
© Valley of Michigan, A.A.S.R. 2023
The History and Legend of Scottish Rite Origins
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The Story Unfolds…Like much of early Masonic history, the origins of the Scottish Rite are uncertain. This is primarily due
to the lack of historic documentation prior to the early 1700’s and not to any great veiled mystery. The few records kept
were subject to loss, fire, weather and aging. So we can at best only speculate on many of our origins by looking at the
few documents, historical references and legends that remain.What We KnowIn 1754, near Paris, Chevalier de Bonneville
established the Chapter of Clermont. The Chapter resided in the College of Jesuits of Clermont, hence the name. It is
said to have been created to honor the Duc de Clermont, then Grand Master of the English Grand Lodge of France. The
Chapter of Clermont was a “Chapter of the Advanced Degrees” and initially entailed six degrees and was later extended
to 25 known degrees. The six initial degrees were 1°, 2° and 3° St John's Masonry, 4° Knight of the Eagle, 5° Illustrious
Knight or Templar, 6° Sublime Illustrious Knight.Interestingly enough historically, prior to the time of the Rite’s creation,
James II had been in residence at Clermont in exile from Britain from 1688 to his death in 1701. As noted by German
Masonic historian, Lenning… “whilst in exile, James II residing at the Jesuit College of Clermont in France, allowed his
closest associates to fabricate certain degrees in order to extend their political views.” Lenning believed this to have been
an attempt on the part of James and his associates to regain control of the British throne for the House of Stuart. If
Lenning is right, this places the origins of the “Rite of Perfection” in the hands of James II and the Jacobite (Stuart)
Freemasons who at the time were in exile from Great Britain throughout France and Italy. Lenning also contends that
these degrees were introduced into French Freemasonry under the name of the Clermont System.James II died in exile in
1701. His son James III is said to have continued his father's Masonic legacy and later created further higher
degrees.Perhaps James II saw in the Jesuit morality plays of the College of Clermont a vessel for passing on a set of
moral lessons. Some of the world's greatest playwrights had emerged from Clermont. Jesuit tutelage had previously
produced great writers such as Lope de Vega, Moliere, Racine, and the Corneille brothers. Ensconced in exile, I believe
James II did find the inspiration and the training to help produce what would later become the first six degrees. From out
of the darkness... comes light.To be continued… Author's note...an in depth look at the Templar influence in Scottish Rite
masonry's origins can be found by visiting the Rosslyn Templars' website.