Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring 2003
The prairie provinces probably represent the most heraldically impoverished part of Canada. There are very few heraldists in this part of the country, and most people are exposed to legitimate heraldry so rarely that they seldom recognize the subject. Separated from the nearest branches of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada by the Rockies to the west and most of Ontario to the east, the few heraldists who are here have little opportunity to partake in RHSC events without first going through a 15 hour (or more) drive or a $300 (or more) flight. There are only two ways that an avid heraldist on the prairies can attend heraldic events. The first is to move to Ottawa, Toronto, or Victoria; this is not always feasible, and is hardly satisfactory. The second option is to start organizing events right here, so that those of us who live between Jasper and Thunder Bay can have a reasonable expectation of attending.
The best starting point for the organization of such events would be the formation of a new branch of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. This would provide a focal point for events such as social gatherings, heraldic lectures and discussions, and granting ceremonies. With a branch newsletter (a requirement for any group intending to cover an area as large as ours), these events can be announced well in advance to those who are interested; this will not only increase attendance at such events, but also encourage people to organize them.
Thus, we are proud to present the first issue of the Prairie Tressure, which we hope will have a long and interesting life as our branch newsletter. It will not only keep our members informed about upcoming heraldic events, but also to provide a forum for the discussion of Canadian and particularly prairie heraldry. Readers can look forward to articles concerning civic, academic, and personal arms used in this part of the country (be they granted, assumed, usurped, or the ever-present �field of cows�). Suggestions, opinions, and good-natured criticisms (particularly when accompanied by alternative proposals) of such devices are welcomed. In fact, the only area of heraldry which will not be discussed in this newsletter is chivalry- more precisely, which orders are genuine and which are not. This particular discussion tends to be less good-natured than is welcome, and is sufficiently covered in other publications.
There are those that say that another branch (and another newsletter) is the last thing that the RHSC needs, and that this will only further splinter the society and aggravate the "problem" of having "too much duplication in Canadian heraldry." With all due respect, I don't agree with such sentiments for a minute. Duplication only gets to be a problem when a particular article is published in Hogtown Heraldry, then reprinted in The Blazon, and then reprinted in Heraldry in Canada; or when someone sends exactly the same letter to the editors of all the newsletters. A range of published newsletters is no more a detriment to the society than is having members with different opinions. Besides, each branch needs a newsletter of some sort in which to announce upcoming meetings and such; these announcements certainly do not belong in a scholarly journal such as Heraldry in Canada.
The Tressure and its Relatives
The tressure and the orle are heraldic charges that are diminutives of the bordure, which is simply a border that runs around the edge of the shield. Many arms have bordures, most famously those of Portugal.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE RAMON JOHN HNATYSHYN, P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.D., Q.C.
We recognize the passing of a great Canadian, a true Western gentleman and a tireless public servant, our former Governor General, the Rt Hon. Ramon Hnatyshyn.
Ramon Hnatyshyn was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the midst of the Great Depression and attended Victoria Public School and Nutana Collegiate Institute. He continued his studies at the University of Saskatchewan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954 and a Bachelor of law degree in 1956. He married Karen Gerda Nygaard Andreasen on January 9, 1960.
They had two sons.
After graduating he was called to the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1957, and later in Ontario Bar in 1986. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 1974, and on June 4, 1979, he was
sworn into the Privy Council, after which he held a number of different cabinet portfolios.
In 1990 he was sworn in as Governor General. As Canada's Governor General, Mr. Hnatyshyn understood the vital need to champion the diversity that enriched Canadian society, and he was
a strong advocate of multiculturalism. His arms are a clear expression of the man, his values and his cultural roots.
As Canadian Governor General he received on January 16, 1990 a completely new grant of arms from the Canadian Heraldic Authority. A full colour rendering of his arms can be found on the
web pages of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada.
The blazon of his arms reads: Per fess Bleu Celeste and Or in chief a lion passant guardant Or royally crowned proper holding in its dexter paw a maple leaf Gules fimbriated Or in base a lion passant guardant Blue Celeste holding in its dexter paw a heart Gules. Crest: Above a helmet mantled Bleu Cleste doubled Or on a wreath Or and Bleu Celeste a demi lion Gules charged on each shoulder with a maple leaf Argent holding in its dexter forepaw Scales of Justice Or. Supporters: Dexter a white-tailed deer per fess Bleu Celeste and Or armed and gorged with a collar all Or pendant therefrom a bezant charged with a representation of the badge of the House of Commons of Canada proper, sinister a bull per fess Bleu Celeste and Or gorged with the Tryzub of the Ukraine Bleu Celeste the whole set upon a compartment party per pale of trees of the boreal forest Vert and a wheat field Or rising above barry wavy Azure and Argent Motto: Moderatio in Omnibus. (The Register of Canadian Honours, 1991, pp. 382. His letters patent and a colour representation of his arms are also illustrated therein.)
The above blazon of his arms omits mention of the circlet and badge of a Companion of the Order of Canada. The arms themselves are impressive for the number and diversity of allegorical references to the armigers cultural and regional background, values, avocations and accomplishments. It is also interesting to look at the blazoning style employed in this and other early grants of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. A glace at the Canadian Armorial on the webpages of the Royal Heraldry Society will illustrate the diversity of our Governors General's armorial bearings both in reflecting the men and women who served this office and the evolution of the Canadian Heraldic Authority's artistic and heraldic sensibilities.
Source: The Register of Canadian Honours, 1991, pp. 382.
EVENTS
The most heraldic event in the near future (that your editor knows about, at least) is the granting of arms to the town of Lacombe (near Red Deer). It is anticipated that this will occur in late spring of 2003. I am sure many heraldists will be interested in attending the granting ceremony. The town of Morinville (near Edmonton) is also in the process of having arms granted to them; I am not sure when this will occur or if they will have a ceremony.
On a much less formal level, there are two discussion groups which meet semi-regularly to chat about heraldry and to compare (and show off) recently-acquired books and other heraldic items. The first meets in Edmonton, normally on the last Saturday evening of any given month (give or take a week). The second meets in Red Deer, and consists primarily of Red Deer College students who are members of the RDC Heraldry Society. This group tends to be somewhat more academic in nature, its meetings generally including a short lecture on a particular aspect of heraldry by one of its members. It is said that "An hour of discussion with a wise man will teach one more than ten years of study". While we are certainly not claiming to be sages of any sort, participating in one of these group discussions is surely as educational as a week or two of study, and is a lot more fun.
As of yet, there are no similar groups in the other parts of the prairies. Anyone who is interested in starting a discussion group (or simply joining one) should contact the editor, who will try to put people in contact with each other. Hopefully such groups can be formed in Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg. We currently have regional directors for Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon- do we have volunteers for the other areas?
Another event we would like to consider is hosting the RHSC annual general meeting in the near future. We certainly cannot do it in 2003 (Montreal has already spoken for it, even if we wanted to), and it is unlikely that our branch will be sufficiently large and well-organized by 2004 to host it then. However, 2005 would be a distinct possibility, and it would be fitting to hold the AGM on the prairies for the 100th anniversary of the creation of Alberta and Saskatchewan as provinces. This would be the first time that the RHSC has held an AGM in this part of the country, and would be a welcome way to promote heraldry.
THE ARMS OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Since most of what is now the Prairie Provinces was once part of the Northwest Territories, it seems fitting to discuss the arms of that region in our first issue.
The first coat of arms designed for the NWT (back when it included what is now Alberta, Saskatchewan, and much of Manitoba) could be blazoned "Argent four garbs proper on a chief Vair (also chequey Azure and Or) a polar bear passant proper".
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Sources: Beddoe, A. B., Beddoe's Canadian Heraldry, Mika Publishing, Belleville, Ont., 1981.
Black, R. M., Heraldry in Canada, Vol. XXIV, No. 3, Sept. 1990, p2.
Illustrations by Mr. Graham Scott, Edmonton.
ARMS GRANTED TO ABORIGINAL CANADIANS
By George F. Lucki
Heraldry in Canada (the quarterly journal of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada) has featured a survey of depictions of Indians in Heraldry. Individuals and communities from Canada's Native Peoples have not only been depicted in the armorial representations but also have been the recipients of armorial bearings. In a recurring contribution to The Prairie Tressure I hope to feature the arms of Aboriginal communities and organizations as well as those of individuals of Aboriginal ancestry.
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WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
By George F. Lucki
Strathcona County is a beautiful, vibrant community located just east of Edmonton from the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, across rich farming lands and including beautiful recreational areas such as Elk Island National Park (and the writer's home). A proud community deserves proud symbols. Doesn't it?
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1. A sheaf of grain representing the farming community;
2. The head of a cow which represents the dairy industry;
3. Oil tanks and towers to represent the industry of the County;
4. The wild rose, which is the official flower of the Province of Alberta of which we are a part;
5. An old fort which symbolizes many settlement beginnings in the Province;
6. A suburban house representing the urban area of Strathcona and in particular Sherwood Park.
Those readers familiar with the region will immediately recognize the problem. Grain, cattle, oil, the wild rose, the old fort, and the ever popular seventies style suburban three bedroom detached bungalow with large picture window and appropriate shrubbery - these are "unique" to dozens of communities and identify none. But I am confident that this design was favoured in part because it left no one out. Thank goodness that there was not nore economic and architectural diversity else the poor wagon wheel might have 8 or 10 spokes or more.
My purpose in writing about this is not really to criticize the symbols chosen by the municipality I am proud to call home. A county Council's decision to adopt a symbol is after all an expression of hope and civic pride. I am writing to highlight the great need to help municipalities draw upon the newer heraldic traditions of Canada and the older ones of Europe to develop very vibrant and clear symbols for their communities - symbols that can both be very fresh and modern and at the same time steeped in great tradition. I am convinced that if in Canada's centenary the Canadian Heraldic Authority had already been established, many municipalities might have sought an official grant of arms from Her Majesty and received dignified symbols created in the centuries old heraldic art. Unfortunately there was little awareness and even today there is little knowledge in most communities about the Authority or about the art and science of heraldry. Most in my own community likely believe the County has an "official crest" simply because the local council adopted one. In 2005 both Alberta and Saskatchewan will be celebrating their centenaries. It would be a fitting time to renew the symbols of our common heritage and devise in some cases new ones with which to enter the next century. If this is to happen we have our job cut out for us.
Dear readers, are there alternatives to the current hodge-podge of devices and logos? I would challenge each of us to be thinking about the symbols used by public bodies and municipalities. For example, since only a handful of Alberta municipalities have obtained official arms (three, with 2 more pending- ed.) the remainder use a variety of self-assumed arms, badges, logos and devices - many of which simply will not stand the test of time. The pride is there, the unique symbols and associations are there. How do we help encourage their proper heraldic expression?
I live in Strathcona County and thought it fair to look close to home for the example I chose. My community, for example, has some wonderful heraldic symbols to draw upon - it is named for one of the most colourful figures in Canadian history Lord Strathcona (himself armigerous) and its largest community Sherwood Park often draws upon symbolic allusions to the legend of Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest. It is also unique in its organization, being a special municipality of 70,000, more than half of whom live in what is undoubtedly the country's largest hamlet. This intentional union of urban and rural is a unique feature. There are, it seems, endless opportunities to create a symbol that will be distinctive and enduring. I'm sure this is also true for all our communities. Let's do something positive and something achievable.
Seven arms for seven towns in 2004? Is that a reasonable goal?
BRANCH STATUS
Currently, we are not a branch of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. Once we have generated sufficient interest, and have a stable membership, then we will petition the RHSC to grant us branch status. Until that time, membership is offered free of charge to any RHSC member on the prairies, as well as to anyone who is interested in receiving the Prairie Tressure; we do not feel we can justifiably charge a membership fee until we have proven that we have something to offer our members.
For now, our executive is quite small. The branch director is Dr. Darren S. A. George of Edmonton, who is currently a bit of a drifter. Last year, he taught chemistry at Red Deer College, and is looking forward to his next post at Kelowna's Okanagan University College (after which he is sure to return to the prairies). He doubles as editor of the Prairie Tressure and as webmaster (both for the RHSC and the Prairie Branch), in addition to being the father of Sophia M. E. Badzio-George, who was appointed mascot of the RHSC at the Victoria AGM.
George Lucki is our regional director for Edmonton. He is a consulting psychologist in private practice and his services are also available to the armorially distraught. George's other heraldic interest lies in Central European heraldry. He also serves on the Board of the internet-based Association of Amateur Heralds. He can be reached by email at gluckiwp.pl.
Our Calgary regional director is Thomas George Hargreaves, and Kathleen McCorkell is our director in Saskatoon.
SUPPORTERS- HUMAN OR NOT?
When arms are being designed for a corporate body (notably municipalities or educational institutions), the question of supporters invariably comes up, and is often phrased as, "Should they be human, or animals?"
Many laypeople, and some heraldists, seem to object to non-human supporters. This was clearly expressed when Ottawa was amalgamated and new arms were considered for the city. A common sentiment was that "The animals didn't build the city- the people did." One so-called expert was even quoted as adding, "We'd be a laughing stock if we had animals on our coat of arms."
The first objection to animals is true, but it is not particularly relevant. Supporters, like other parts of a coat of arms, are not meant to be the founders of the armigerous institution, but appropriate symbols for it. The second objection is many times more absurd- a quick scan of the provincial arms show a total of 39 animals (including ten lions and three unicorns, neither of which are commonly seen in the wilds of Canada) and only three people. Animals are also found in more than 60% of the national arms of Europe, whereas people are much more rare. If most of Europe, and every Canadian province, is to be considered a heraldic "laughing stock", then one must seriously wonder about the person doing the laughing.
One reason for the popularity of animals over humans (at least at the provincial and national levels) is simply that animals are much easier to recognize than people. Given a quick glance, it is far easier to tell the difference between a lion and an eagle, or a dragon and a moose, than it is to distinguish between a loyalist and a habitant, or a sailor and a soldier. If the description is more exact (such as "a man dressed in the garb of a British sailor c. 1780", or "a representation of the goddess Athena"), then recognition becomes even more challenging. One shouldn't need a degree in military history or historic costume design to recognize a supporter.
Equally challenging is the drawing or painting of such a specific person. Even the worst artist knows what a heraldic lion looks like, and many of us can draw one despite being hamfisted with a pencil. A human being cannot be stylized in the same way as a heraldic animal usually is, and very few artists can immediately call to mind the correct way to draw a particular uniform from a certain period.
Additionally, it is impossible to draw a generic person. While every lion in heraldry looks much like every other lion (save for differences in tinctures, postures, and often collars), every human being is unique, and every drawing will be thought to represent a specific person (or a representative of a certain group of people). How does one fairly choose one (or two) particular person(s) to identify an entire city? Which industries will be represented- those which are currently important in the area (dexter a farmer, and sinister an oil-rig worker), or ones which were important during the founding of the municipality (dexter a trapper, and sinister a sodbuster)?
Leaving aside how the supporters are to be dressed, the skin colour will unavoidably have racial overtones. If both supporters are shown as white, some members of all minority groups will claim that they are symbolically excluded from the city, and people will be understandably offended. If one supporter is white, and the other is a particular minority, most of the other minority groups will feel excluded. To make both supporters members of minority groups will not please anyone either- it is certain that someone will claim that this represents oppression of these minorities. (This ridiculous claim has also been made regarding animal supporters, and that the enslavement of these poor creatures represents an anti-environmental stance.) While some people will dismiss such questions as "political correctness", such dismissal is damaging to heraldry, as it portrays our noble science as exclusionary at best, and downright racist at worst. How are we to keep heraldry alive if we are not fighting such an image?
HERALDIC CRITTERS AND MONSTERS:
A CHALLENGE AND A CONTEST IN WHICH PRIZES SHALL BE AWARDED AND FROM WHICH FAME MAY FOLLOW.
By George F. Lucki
Heraldic monsters are a mainstay of historical heraldry and one can't help but observe the affinity Canadian armigers and our Heraldic Authority have shown for new "cut and paste conjoined per fess" varieties of heraldic monsters. The CHA's own bear and raven critter are an excellent example.
Modern heraldry has gone further also in using a wider assortment of animals, fish, fowl and even insects (beyond the noble bee) as heraldic charges. Looking at recently published heraldic albums you can see frogs, beetles, ants, and all manner of exotic flora and fauna. In this regard our own Canadian heraldry has yet to tap the full richness and diversity of our natural world. Certainly our favourite rodent, the industrious and destructive beaver oft appears, as do the attractive moose and nimble goose. But what of other creatures? Where is our playful gopher, no less industrious and destructive than the beaver or our mangy coyotes whose mournful howl so stirs the western heart? Where are our diverse prairie grasses and weedy aspen trees? There must certainly be room for all of God's wonderful creatures in our heraldic creativity.
What is missing, to my mind, is an available bestiarum (catalogue of beasts) of Prairie heraldic creatures and in particular monsters, especially those of the cut and paste combined variety. What any good bestiarum needs is also a fanciful story of dubious origin to accompany each creature, for although much historical heraldry has no particular meaning any heraldist of true mettle should be able to read or at least project appropriately deep symbolism into any device. Creativity is not a prerequisite for this endeavour. Heraldists are also not above shamelessly appropriating ideas. They also love canting references or puns, which are justly regarded as the lowest form of humour. Anyone can create a new heraldic monster.
For example, it recently dawned on me that that unfortunately all too common local epithet "Friggin" is in fact an apparent reference to an obscure heraldic monster - half lion and half eagle. No, not the Griffin, but rather its alter ego where upon the talons, scrawny legs, feathered tail and lower torso of the golden eagle are placed the heavy head, muscular torso and sturdy forepaws of the mighty lion.
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1. Neither monsters nor animals need to have any but the most obscure or trivial connection to the Prairies.
2. The more improbable the better.
3. Good taste is permitted but not absolutely necessary.
4. Serious entries are acceptable.
5. Artistic merit is of little consequence.
6. Shameless appropriation of the creativity of others is permitted as long as due credit is given.
7. The judges decision shall always be final but objections, appeals and criticisms will be tolerated and controversy is welcome.
8. All entries become the property of the Prairie Tressure and may be published in upcoming issues.
9. Entrants may constrain themselves with other rules of their own invention, or not.
10. Animals may be real, mythical or invented and improbable. They need not be alive (an acceptable heraldic pose can be, for instance, "road-kill"). Invertebrates are also animals. Heraldic monsters consisting of Frankenstein-style amalgams of various creatures will be given special credit. (Interestingly enough the arms of the real von Frankenstein family contain a broad bladed cutting implement suitable for such surgery.)
Please submit entries including your name, address and telephone number, drawing and story to "Prairie Tressure" - Attn. Critters Contest, 217-52152 RR 225, Sherwood Park, Alberta, T8C 1C6. Suitable entries may appear in upcoming issues of the "Prairie Tressure" and an annual "Beastly Prize" consisting of a coffee mug illustrated with your heraldic monster or animal and a $25.00 bookstore gift will be awarded at each annual meeting of the Prairie Branch of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. A "Special Award of Great Distinction" will be given if your heraldic monster is used in a new grant of arms from the Canadian Heraldic Authority (even if these are your own arms).
Good luck and I all hope we have some good fun with this contest.
A TALENTED JOINER
By Tom G. Hargreaves
In Michael P. Conroy's book "The Shuttleworths of Gawthorpe", which was published last year, there is an interesting reference to certain entries in the family's accounts for carving an armorial bearing in stone.
The unusual point that warrants attention is the fact that the work, which would generally have been contracted out to a stone mason, was performed by a "Joiner".
The work was executed upon a square stone above the entrance upon the front of the building and is described in the accounts as follows:
March 1605 a Joiner beginning to work my master's arms in Stone (at 6d. per day) 3s. 0d.
Three days cutting the arms in stone 18d.
April 2 days ditto 11d.
A joiner 6 days working at the arms over the hall door 3s. 0d.
August 1605 a joiner for 6 days working "at the crest above the hall etc." at 5d. 2s. 6d.
Judging by the accounts and assuming that all entries are included, it would appear that the work was performed sporadically during a period from March to August of 1605 and required 23 days to complete at a total cost of ten shillings and eleven pence.
A HERALDIC PUZZLE
The following heraldry-related terms and phrases have been hidden in this puzzle. When all the words have been found, the remaining letters will spell out a phrase that will be familiar to many of us.
Sir:
I must question the unfortunate choice of the name and symbolism for your publication. The Double Tressure has unfortunate historical associations of the proud Lion of Scotland being fenced or caged by the Lilies of France (these having also represented the historical pretensions of the English kings to the senior kingdom of France). To this day, that unfortunate beast still claws with its forepaw at its tressure, hoping to free itself from its small enclosure. Even as far back as 1471 the Scottish parliament
vainly tried to free the Lion of Scotland and passed a courageous Act stating "in tyme to cum thar suld be na double tressor about the kingy's armys, but he suld ber hale armys of the Iyoun without ony mair." James III ignored this wise advice and the reluctant lion continued to be caged apparently by the mythical and historically unsupported "auld alliance" of Charlemagne and the Celts. Poor prairie heraldry - shall you also have to suffer the Scottish lion's cruel fate? (see Barker, Brian, The Symbols of Our Sovereignty, 1979, p. 237)
Kind regards,
George F. Lucki
Editor's Reply: I am sorry you do not appreciate the subtle and perfect symbolism inherent in the tressure tapissé, which blends a proud symbol from the proudest system of heraldry in the world (that of Scotland) with the wheat which is so typical of this wide swath of prairie (and of the heraldry found in these provinces).
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Copyright The Mad Alchemist 2003