In the Book of Constitutions given to every Craft Mason in the English Constitution there is a 'preliminary declaration' which reads

by the solemn act of union between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons of England in December 1813, it was 'declared and pronounced that pure ancient masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz: those of the entered apprentice, the fellow craft and the master mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.'

This close association between the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch is further reinforced in the Royal Arch ritual of the exaltation ceremony when the candidate is informed that he has not received a fourth degree but simply completed his third.

As the order is part of 'pure ancient masonry' it should not be viewed as an optional extra but rather as the only opportunity for a Master Mason to complete his basic Masonic knowledge.

The Holy Royal Arch is more commonly known as Chapter.

As Craft Masons meet in a Lodge, so Royal Arch masons meet in a Chapter and are known as Companions.

A Chapter is usually allied to a Lodge and take its name and number from the Lodge.

Companions are distinguished by the jewel they wear on the left breast.

The colour of the ribbon varies according to their rank

The Chapter jewel is the only jewel which is permitted to be worn in a Craft Lodge with Craft jewels.

The language, symbolism and teachings of Chapter ceremonies are both profound and beautiful. They considerably enrich all that goes on in the Craft. In the exaltation ceremony (or admission of a Candidate) there is a different atmosphere from the Craft.

The theme of the Craft degrees is behaviour, the moral witness, the scientific basis, the code of life in the five points of fellowship, all illustrated from the actual temple building and its architecture. In the Royal Arch we come to the presence of God in the building, for to leave it at the Craft ceremonies is to present just a building. It needs the Chapter to fill it with spirit and meaning.

The Holy Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire is administered from Freemasons' Hall, Northampton and is under the authority of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ.