- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Gregory Winston Stone
Victoria, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Grace Elizabeth Anne Stone and Spencer Michael Edward Stone
July 20, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 199
[ previous page ]
Blazon
Arms
Gules a coronet flory between three pierced cinquefoils Or, a chief chequy Azure and Argent;
Crest
A horse’s head couped Gules on a stone base proper;
Motto
ACTION BEST BECOMES THE BEST;
Symbolism
Arms
Red is the colour of the Canadian Army. Gold is the facing colour of the uniforms of the Calgary Highlanders, a regiment which Dr. Stone has worked with as a civilian. The gold open crown is taken from the arms of the University of Oxford, where Dr. Stone studied. The cinquefoils are features of gothic architecture of cathedrals and monasteries in the United Kingdom that hold the remains of some members of his family. The chessboard pattern symbolizes the role of strategy in his career and studies.
Crest
The horse symbolizes Dr. Stone’s family’s longstanding affection for horses and their engagement in equestrian pursuits. Its depiction alludes to a chess knight and repeats the idea of the interplay of strategy and action from the Arms. As a chess piece which has a military origin, the knight also symbolizes Dr. Stone’s support of the military. The base made of stone presents a canting reference to his surname.
Motto
This phrase is a line in a 17th-century poem by Samuel Daniel, in which the verb “becomes’” means “it looks good on you.” For Mr. Stone, it advocates the importance of taking action. This connects to the chess theme found in the Arms and Crest, a game in which each move is taken with the intention of achieving a particular strategic objective.