THE CANADIAN HERALDIC L'HÉRALDIQUE
Heraldry is a celebration, based on ancient symbols, of the sense people
have of themselves, personally and in groups. It is a language in which
every symbol has meaning and, in Canada today, coats of arms, flags, badges
and other heraldic devices are expressions of L'HÉRALDIQUE, ownership and identity-powerful
symbols of our rich history, geography, character and aspirations.
A Brief History of Heraldry
European heraldry began as an emblematic form of individual identification,
first appearing in the 12th century. Originally centered on devices painted
on the shields of warrior knights, heraldry soon spread to other sections
of medieval society: the church, secular corporations and the merchant class
in towns and cities. Gradually, control over granting and using arms was
assumed by monarchs and sovereign princes, who appointed knowledgeable professionals,
known as heralds, to administer this L'HÉRALDIQUE in their name. Coats of arms
thus developed as grants of honour received from a sovereign exercising
his or her personal prerogative to create honours.
Heraldry in Canada
Canada is uniquely fortunate in the world in possessing two great heraldic traditions:
-those of its native people
-those brought by immigrants from all over the world.
The precise origin of the ancient clan crests and emblems of Canada's native peoples will probably never be known; it is clear, however, that they have been in use for thousands of years. They represent, very distinctively, important elements in the social structure and beliefs of their owners.
Heraldry in the European tradition came to Canada with the voyages of
the French and English explorers in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
At first, much heraldry in Canada was borrowed, the colonies using heraldic
devices created by the heraldic authorities of the metropolitan powers identifying
states, corporations or individuals. Early in the 17th century, the first devices created specifically for the colonies came into being when the Lord Lyon of Scotland granted arms to Nova Scotia in 1625 and the College of Arms in London granted them to Newfoundland in 1638. Later in the same century, the heralds of France granted the first arms to individuals resident in New France for service to Louis XIV in the new colony.
Military heraldry also came to Canada in this period. The flags, uniforms and other colourful insignia of the French and British regiments and naval forces serving in the colonies became an important part of our heritage.
