The Grand Cross of the Court of Honour is the highest individual honour that the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite’s Southern Jurisdiction can bestow. It is given very rarely, to 33° Masons whose service to Freemasonry, to the Rite or to humanity has been truly exceptional, and its holders are recognised by a white cap with a blue band.
White Cap with Blue Band
What the Grand Cross is
The Southern Jurisdiction’s Court of Honour has two ranks. The first is the Knight Commander (KCCH); the second and higher is the Knight Grand Cross. Both were created by Albert Pike, and an 1890 history of the Rite describes the Grand Cross as conferred, with its jewel, “for extraordinary service and merit”. In Pike’s day it could be given to 32° Masons, but today it is reserved for those who already hold the 33°.
It is deliberately scarce. Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry records that no more than three Grand Crosses could be chosen at each regular session of the Supreme Council, and Valleys today describe it as “voted very rarely”. Like every Scottish Rite honour, it cannot be applied for, and if asked for it must be refused. Mackey adds that when the Court of Honour meets as a body, it is presided over by a Grand Cross named by the Grand Commander.
Two names familiar to readers of this site hold it: Rex Hutchens, author of A Bridge to Light, who received the Grand Cross in 1995, and Arturo de Hoyos, the Supreme Council’s Grand Archivist and Grand Historian, who edited the book’s 2010 edition.
The cap and jewel
The cap of a Grand Cross is round and made of white silk, circled by a blue band trimmed with gold. A gold cord runs across the top and is fixed on each side by a gold button embossed with a double-headed eagle. On the front is an embroidered copy of the Grand Cross jewel, worked in gold bullion wire. Valley descriptions identify the jewel as a Teutonic cross with a crimson rose and green leaves at its centre.
Sources:
– Albert G. Mackey, Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, entry “Court of Honor”.
– Brief History of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (1890), section on the Court of Honor.
– Rex R. Hutchens, A Bridge to Light, 4th edition (Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., 2010), title page and “About the Author”.
– The Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., “What is the significance of the Scottish Rite cap?” (official caps).
– Wikipedia, “Supreme Council, Scottish Rite (Southern Jurisdiction, USA)” (Scottish Rite Honors).
– Orange County Scottish Rite, “Our honorary hats explained”: https://www.ocscottishrite.org/our-honorary-hats-explained