Heraldry Society of Canada

Heraldry Society of Canada

The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, headquartered in Ottawa, was established in 1966 as the Heraldry Society of Canada to encourage interest in the history and practice of HERALDRY in Canada. The Society vigorously promoted the establishment of a national authority to grant and regulate the use of arms in Canada and made key representations to Senate and House of Commons committees. These efforts were successful and the Canadian Heraldic Authority in the office of the governor general was established by royal warrant in 1988.

Since 1967 the Society has published a quarterly illustrated journal, Heraldry in Canada, which is now the single largest published source relating to historical and contemporary Canadian heraldry. In 1981 it published a landmark reference text, Canadian Heraldry, based on a manuscript by founder Alan Beddoe. More recently, in 2000, the Society published A Canadian Heraldic Primer by Dr. Kevin Greaves, a work intended for young people and beginners to heraldry. This is the first text to deal seriously with the newly developing Canadian form of heraldry, with its uniquely multicultural character. The book has recently been translated into French under the title of L'Abécédaire canadien de l'héraldique.

Society activities also include an annual conference on heraldry in various Canadian cities, sponsorship of the annual George M. Beley lecture, a bursary for developing Canadian heraldic craftspeople, and a roll of Canadian arms. Since 1975, those who have given outstanding service to the Society and its aims have been recognized by appointment to a faculty of Fellows of the Society.

In 2002, with the permission of H.M. the Queen, the Society was permitted to add the designation "Royal" to its title.