- The Governor General of Canada
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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
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
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;
Flag
A guidon the Arms in hoist, the fly per fess Or and Gules and charged with the Badge;
Badge
A cinquefoil Or transfixed from behind by a sword bendwise Gules;
Differenced Arms of Grace Elizabeth Anne Stone, child of Gregory Winston Stone
The Arms of Gregory Winston Stone debruised of a three-point label Or during her father’s lifetime; This individual will ultimately inherit the Arms;
Differenced Arms for Spencer Michael Edward Stone, child of Gregory Winston Stone
The Arms of Gregory Winston Stone with the chief chequy Azure and Or instead of Azure and Argent;
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.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The cinquefoil repeats the symbolism of the Arms. The sword alludes to the fact that Dr. Stone has been a fencer since childhood and that he has a particular affinity for the longsword.
Differenced Arms of Grace Elizabeth Anne Stone, child of Gregory Winston Stone
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Spencer Michael Edward Stone, child of Gregory Winston Stone
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on January 1, 1900, in Volume 0, page 0 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Luc Saucier
Recipient Information
Individual