The need for some sort of dictionary of heraldic terms used in the blazonry of arms granted in Canada became evident during the setting of examinations for the RHSC Heraldry Proficiency course. A small handout listing the terms of blazon for a number of specifically Canadian charges had been provided, based mainly on an article by Bruce Patterson. However, on studying the blazons of Canadian-granted arms listed in the Public Register, it became clear that there were quite a number of terms which were not included in that handout. Some of these were uniquely Canadian designations, created to denote uniquely Canadian charges; some were innovative descriptive terms coined to depict innovative features of CHA grants; and some, while derived from British usage, had for some reason been omitted from the standard heraldic dictionaries. All, however, were used in the blazons of Canadian grants. It seemed therefore worthwhile to list and define these terms along with illustrations, so that a student, given a depiction, would be able to provide a correct blazon.

To call such a relatively small a work an Heraldic Dictionary may seem a bit extravagant, but there seemed no other word to describe it. Perhaps when Canada has been in the heraldry business for a century, there may be enough Canadian terms of blazon to justify the title!

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Instructions

To view a particular letter's entries, click on the letter. A new window will materialize revealing a variety of terms, often accompanied with illustrations. Some entries will include what looks like a magnifying glass as it appears on the right. Click on this to view a larger presentation of the image in the entry for clarity and after viewing it, simply click on your browser's "back" button usually located in the top left of the browser window.