- 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.
Lewis David St Columb Skene-Melvin
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge
July 23, 2001
Vol. IV, p. 138
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure on a plate encircled by thirteen mullets Argent, a thistle slipped and leaved proper;
Crest
Issuant from a coronet erablé Argent a dexter cubit arm proper grasping a closed book Gules charged with a pistol Argent;
Motto
ΟΙ ΚΥΒΟΙ ΑΙΟΣ ΑΕΙ ΕΥΠΙΠΤΟΥΣΙ;
Badge
A closed book Gules charged with a pistol Argent surmounting two quill pens in saltire each per pale Argent and Azure;
Symbolism
Arms
The blue and white and the thistle represent Mr. Skene-Melvin’s paternal heritage in Scotland, while his maternal family, the Hilles of the Baltimore area, is symbolized by the thirteen white stars, indicative of the American colonies at the time of the Revolution.
Crest
The coronet of maple leaves represents Mr. Skene-Melvin’s citizenship and his service to Canada and to Canadian literary studies. The book, in Canada’s national colours, symbolizes his contribution in the field of literature, libraries, education, and to the Crime Writers of Canada. Mr. Skene-Melvin’s authoritative work on crime fiction in Canada is indicated by the pistol on the book.
Motto
This Greek saying, meaning “The dice of the gods are always loaded”, originated in a fragment (895) of an unknown play by Sophocles.
Badge
The book repeats the symbolism of the crest, while quills in the form of a St. Andrew’s cross link literature and Mr. Skene-Melvin’s Scottish roots.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on February 22, 2003, in Volume 137, page 517 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
Ilona Jurkiewicz
Calligrapher
Nancy Ellis
Recipient Information
Individual