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The Allied Masonic Degrees (AMD) are a series of Masonic degrees conferred by Councils of the Allied Masonic Degrees. The Allied Masonic Degrees form an appendant order of Freemasonry that exists in some Masonic jurisdictions; its degrees are conferred only by invitation. Councils of the Allied Masonic Degrees exist in Great Britain, the United States, Canada, France and Australia and their members also educate one another by presenting research papers on Freemasonry.
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The degrees in the UK
The entry degree is the Order of Saint Lawrence the Martyr. This is the requisite for participating in Council meetings. The other four degrees, which can be taken in any order, are Knight of Constantinople, Grand Tilers of Solomon, Grand High Priest, and Red Cross of Babylon. However, the degree of the Grand Tilers of Solomon is normally taken last by a candidate. In England and Wales, the Order of the Secret Monitor, once part of the AMD, now has its own independent conclaves. The Order is administered from Mark Masons' Hall, London.
The degrees in the US
In the United States of America, a national Grand Council charters local councils, which confer their degrees on selected Royal Arch Masons. Most councils are limited to twenty-seven members, but the Council of the Nine Muses is limited to nine authors (the new Sovereign Master must read a new essay), and the Grand Master's Council has no limit, either numerically or geographically.
The officers of a council have mostly the same titles as the officers of a Masonic lodge, with the president being the Sovereign Master. The councils also study Freemasonry with a view to improving service in it. The Grand Council has created some internal honours, the most notable being "Knight Grand Cross".
The degrees conferred in the United States are:
The degrees in Canada
In Canada, the degrees conferred are:
Optional degrees are:
Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri: (given at the Annual Assembly, or by the District Deputy Grand Master)