why does a royal arch chapter have three principals instead of a master

Instead of a single Master, private Chapters are governed by three Principals who exercise conjoint leadership, with the First Principal acting as first among equals, as the Grand Lodge of India and the United Grand Lodge of England state. In the English system, these three officers represent Zerubbabel, Haggai, and Joshua—traditionally designated as King, Prophet, and Priest 2.

Philosophically, Walter Leslie Wilmshurst takes the three Principals to represent a triad of spiritual attributes—Holiness, Royal Supremacy, and Functional Power—acting conjointly as a single unity 1. In his reading, Haggai represents the passive, self-contemplative insight of the spirit, Joshua personifies its active executive power, and Zerubbabel stands as the central coordinating term from which the active and passive aspects issue and into which they merge 1.

Historically, this leadership structure was not uniform everywhere before settling into its modern form. In early nineteenth-century Canadian practice, for instance, the three presiding officers were designated as High Priest, Solomon King of Israel, and Hiram King of Tyre, reflecting distinct ritual influences prior to broader standardization 3.

Royal Arch chapters were not always governed by three Principals, as both historical records and present-day practices demonstrate variations in leadership structure and titles.

In early Canadian practice, for example, Frontenac Chapter at Kingston designated its three principal officers until 1809 as the High Priest, Solomon (King of Israel), and Hiram (King of Tyre) 3. Across North America, the system developed with leadership vested in a High Priest, King, and Scribe rather than three Principals 2.

Governance by three Principals is also not universal today. Under the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland, chapters are ruled by an Excellent King rather than three Principals, as the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland states.

The three Principals exercise conjoint leadership over a Chapter, acting together as a single executive body rather than as subordinate officers under an absolute Master 1. Within this joint authority, the First Principal holds primacy as first among equals, as the Grand Lodge of India states.

Philosophically, Walter Leslie Wilmshurst views the three Principals as a single triad acting conjointly and as one 1. In his interpretation, Zerubbabel serves as the central term from which the active aspect (Joshua) and passive aspect (Haggai) issue and into which they merge 1.

Administratively, a progression of rank exists among the three stations. Under the English system, no Mason is eligible for the First Principal's chair without having served twelve months in each of the other two chairs 2. Furthermore, each Principal receives an installing degree upon taking his respective station 2. Thus, while Zerubbabel occupies the highest station and holds precedence, official governance remains fundamentally conjoint 1.