- The Governor General of Canada
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Christopher Richard Perry
Campbell River, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Benjamin Richard Perry
August 15, 2024
Vol. VIII, p. 301
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure a sea lion holding a quill Or, a chief paly Argent and Or the pallets separated by endorses Sable;
Crest
A demi-Brittany spaniel proper gorged with a collar attached thereto a chain reflexed over the shoulder, holding a torch Or and issuant from a Loyalist military coronet Azure;
Motto
RECTE AGENS CONFIDO;
Flag
Azure a sea lion passant holding a quill Or adextré paly Argent and Or the pallets separated by endorses Sable;
Badge
A demi-sun in splendour Or issuant from a torch Azure;
Differenced Arms for Benjamin Richard Perry, child of Christopher Richard Perry
The Arms of Christopher Richard Perry, with the sea lion holding a sceptre Or in place of the quill during his father’s lifetime; This individual will ultimately inherit the Arms;
Crest
A demi-griffin displayed Azure charged on the wing with a mullet, holding a trident and issuant from a Loyalist military coronet Or;
Symbolism
Arms
The lion with a fish’s tail and the blue colour refer to Mr. Perry’s decades-long career in the Royal Canadian Navy, while also alluding to the waters around his home on Vancouver Island. The quill symbolizes his career as a naval historian and, therefore, his role in researching and recording his findings. The bands in the top portion of the shield evoke a row of books and further reference his position as Command Historian of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Crest
The Brittany spaniel symbolizes the pets that have long lived with Mr. Perry’s family, while the Loyalist military coronet alludes to his ancestor Robert Perry, who served as a soldier for the British during the American Revolution. The torch, symbolizing the idea of disseminating knowledge, alludes to his profession as a public historian.
Motto
This Latin expression, meaning “While acting uprightly, I am confident,” is an important maxim for Mr. Perry. It is a traditional motto used by the Perry family of County Warwick, England.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The sun rising out of a torch embodies Mr. Perry’s role as a historian bringing knowledge of the past to light, while also embodying the love of learning that he shares with his son. The sun further references the arms of British Columbia, Mr. Perry’s home province.
Differenced Arms for Benjamin Richard Perry, child of Christopher Richard Perry
The sceptre is a canting reference to his second name, which derives from two Old Frankish words meaning “strong in rule.”
Crest
The griffin, an imaginary creature, represents Benjamin Perry’s love for cryptozoology. The star honours his Acadian heritage, while the trident honours his Ukrainian ancestry. The Loyalist military coronet repeats the symbolism of Christopher Richard Perry’s Crest.
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 Alix Chartrand, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Melissa Aberin
Calligrapher
Kathy Feig
Recipient Information
Individual