Royal Heraldry Society of Canada

Royal Heraldry Society of Canada

Abbreviation	RHSC
Formation	1966
Type	Organizations based in Canada with royal patronage
Legal status	active
Purpose	advocate and public voice, educator and network
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Region served	Canada
Official language	English, French
Website	www.heraldry.ca

The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada (RHSC) is a Canadian organization that promotes the art of Canadian heraldry. Founded as the Heraldry Society of Canada, the mission of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada and its branches is to promote the art of heraldry, particularly Canadian heraldry, and to encourage an interest in the subject among Canadians.

History

The Society was founded in 1966 by a group of Ottawa heraldic enthusiasts under the leadership of Lieutenant-Commander Alan Beddoe. The founding meeting was held on 25 October 1966 at the Beacon Arms Hotel in Ottawa, where a full Board of Officers and Directors was formed under the presidency of LCdr Beddoe. Its original name was The Heraldry Society of Canada. Today, it continues to inform and educate Canadians and assist them and their institutions in the acquisition of properly granted coats of arms.

During its first twenty-five years, the Society was the driving force toward the establishment of Canada's own body for the granting of arms. On June 4, 1988, at Government House in Ottawa, The Prince Edward presented Letters Patent from Her Majesty authorising the Governor General of Canada to grant arms in her name and the establishment of a Canadian Heraldic Authority. The first Chief Herald of Canada was the then President of the Society, Robert Watt.

In December, 2001, on the initiative of its then President, Dr. Kevin Greaves, the Society petitioned the Queen via the Governor General to grant the designation "Royal" to the Society's name. This privilege was granted by Her Majesty on March 20, 2002, in the year of her Golden Jubilee. The change of name to the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada was proclaimed officially at the Society's Annual General Meeting in Victoria, B.C., on October 26, 2002. The announcement was made by Her Majesty's then-personal representative in the Province, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Hon. Iona Campagnolo.

In keeping with its new status a Royal Society, the RHSC subsequently petitioned for an augmentation to its arms, using the Royal Crown on the shoulders of the Shield's supporters. This was granted by Her Majesty and new arms were granted on 18 December of that year.

Since that time, the Society has expanded its educational efforts with the further development of its three-level Heraldry Proficiency Course and with extension of its outreach programme for children, called Heraldry 4 Kids.

The Society publishes a biannual journal Heraldry in Canada and a quarterly newsletter, Gonfanon. Various branches also publish newsletters such as The Blazon (BC-Yukon Branch), The Prairie Tressure (Prairie Branch) and Hogtown Heraldry (Toronto Branch).

Certifications and awards

The RHSC grants three distinctions to those who qualify:

• Fellow (FRHSC), granted to active members who have made significant contributions to heraldry and to the Society.^[1]
• Honorary Fellow (FRHSC (Hon.)), granted to both members and non-members who have contributed to the understanding of heraldry in Canada and/or assisted the Society.^[2]
• Licentiate (LRHSC), granted to those who have completed the Society's Level III Heraldic Proficiency Course.^[3][4]

Recognition

On 19 August 1996 Canada Post issued 'Heraldry' designed by Derek Sarty and Rand Gaynor. The stamp depicts a schooner, the fleur-de-lys, aboriginal art and maple leaf against backgrounds of mountains, wheat fields, forests and oceans. The 45¢ stamps are perforated 12.5 x 12 and were printed by Ashton-Potter Canada Limited.^[5]

See also

• List of Canadian organizations with royal prefix
• White Lion Society
• The Heraldry Society
• Heraldry Society of Scotland
• American Heraldry Society
• Committee on Heraldry of the New England Historic Genealogical Society
• Monarchy of Canada

References

1. "Royal Heraldry Society of Canada - Fellows". RHSC. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
2. "Royal Heraldry Society of Canada - Honorary Fellows". RHSC. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
3. "Royal Heraldry Society of Canada - Heraldry Proficiency Program - Introduction". RHSC. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
4. "Royal Heraldry Society of Canada Licentiates". RHSC. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
5. Canada Post stamp

External links

• The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada