The Holy Royal Arch – commonly known as ‘The Chapter’ – is an inclusive part of Craft Freemasonry, but neither superior nor inferior to it. All Master Masons are eligible for membership as Freemasonry is a journey from Initiation to Exaltation.
The origins of the Chapter go back to at least the first half of the eighteenth century but in its modern form emerged with the formation of the first Grand Chapter in 1817, following upon the merger of the then two Grand Lodges in 1813.