Applying for Armorial Bearings| Applying for Armorial Bearings |
Prior to 1988, the process of acquiring arms for a Canadian was an awkward one. A petition had to be made to one of the two British heraldic Authorities - the College of Arms in London or the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh. These worthy and venerable organizations knew a great deal about heraldry - British heraldry - but rather less of Canadian traditions or symbols. Negotiations had to be carried out by transatlantic mail and could drag on for years. It was also - especially when dealing with the College - a pretty expensive business.
An example of Letters Patent from the CHAWith the advent of the CHA, much has changed. Canadian heralds have a natural flair for what Canadians want and the art itself has developed a distinctly Canadian flavour. Negotiations can be carried out, when necessary, by telephone, email or even, when dealing with one of the Authority's Heraldic Consultants, face to face. The time from petition to Letters Patent has been reduced to a year or less - a positive sprint in heraldic terms - and the cost to a very reasonable figure, especially as compared with that for a English grant. More and more individual Canadians and Canadian institutions are taking advantage of these benefits and applying for armorial bearings, many as a means of preserving their individuality in an increasingly impersonal world. The method is a simple and straightforward one. To find out more about the process - how you can obtain a grant of arms, click Applying for Armorial Bearings.
