- 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.
Daniel Roland Michener
Ottawa, Ontario
Registration of Arms and Supporters
November 15, 2024
Vol. VIII, p. 323
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure two bendlets gemel fretted in saltire between in chief the Royal Crown and in base a fleur-de-lis Or;
Crest
A demi-lion supporting the mace of the House of Commons Or and surmounted in base by a plate charged with a maple leaf Gules;
Supporters
Dexter a deer Gules attired and unguled Or charged on the shoulder with a plate thereon a rose Gules barbed and seeded proper, sinister a deer Argent attired and unguled Or charged on the shoulder with a torteau thereon a square buckle Argent;
Motto
LIBRE ET ORDONNÉ;
Symbolism
Arms
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The double X shape represents the Roman numeral XX (twenty) and indicates that Mr. Michener was the 20th Governor General of Canada. The Royal Crown embodies his service as the Sovereign’s representative, while the fleur-de-lis refers to Canada’s French heritage, and possibly to his Huguenot ancestry.
Crest
The lion is inspired by one of the supporters of the arms of Canada. The mace symbolizes that Mr. Michener had been Speaker of the House of Commons. The maple leaf represents Canada.
Supporters
The red deer is a canting reference to Mr. Michener’s birthplace, Red Deer, Alberta; the rose refers to Alberta’s provincial flower, the wild rose. The white deer is the emblem of Hertford College, Oxford University, England, where Mr. Michener studied. The buckle is an allusion to his Quaker ancestry, as simple buckles for shoes and belts were characteristic of Quaker clothing at the time Mr. Michener’s ancestors came to North America in the 17th century.
Motto
These French words mean “Free and ordered.” This alludes to Mr. Michener’s belief in “Freedom in an orderly society.”
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 Alan Beddoe, assisted by the heralds of the College of Arms, London.
Painter
Artist of the College of Arms, London / Artiste du Collège d’armes, Londres
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Individual
Governor General
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, 10 June 1968.