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Québec, Quebec
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Geneviève Duret, Jean-Sébastien Duret and Pierre-Fréderic Duret
October 15, 2012
Vol. VI, p. 186
Arms of Louise MartelBlazonSable a hammer environed by a laurel wreath Or; SymbolismThe hammer (marteau in French) alludes to Ms. Martel’s surname. Like the black and gold colours, it is a component of the arms of the Association des Martel d’Amérique, designed by Ms. Martel. The black also symbolizes for her the surname’s long history, while the gold represents divine light. The laurel wreath honours her ancestor Honoré Martel dit Lamontagne, who had the courage to settle and remain in Canada, and emphasizes Ms. Martel’s profound interest in the genealogy of the Martel families. |
CrestBlazonA peacock guardant proper, its dexter claw resting on a pellet charged with a fleur-de-lis Or; SymbolismThe peacock conveys Ms. Martel’s pride in her three children and grandchildren, while the fleur-de-lis represents the country of her ancestors and her affection for the French language. |
MottoBlazonMARTEL EN TÊTE; SymbolismMARTEL EN TÊTE, meaning “Martel in front”, is taken from an old French expression Se mettre martel en tête, meaning “To worry”, which is an allusion to her surname. This motto conveys Ms. Martel’s desire to be innovative in everything she does. |
MottoBlazonDROIT DEVANT SANS FAILLIR; SymbolismDROIT DEVANT SANS FAILLIR, meaning “Straight ahead without faltering,” alludes to Ms. Martel’s determination to overcome the difficulties she has gone through in her life and her unflinching confidence in the future. It is also an expression that she often uses at work. |
Flag of Louise MartelBlazonA banner of the Arms; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of Louise MartelBlazonA lozenge Sable charged with three peacock feathers proper enfiling a coronet flory Or; SymbolismThe three peacock feathers symbolize Ms. Martel’s three children. The crown of fleurs-de-lis alludes to and honours her French origins. |
Differenced Arms for Geneviève Duret, daughter of Louise MartelBlazonThe Arms of Louise Martel debruised of a three-point label Argent; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following her death; SymbolismThe label on Geneviève Duret’s shield indicates that she is the eldest child and will inherit the full arms. |
Differenced Arms for Jean-Sébastien Duret, son of Louise MartelBlazonThe Arms of Louise Martel debruised of a crescent Argent in the canton; SymbolismThe crescent and star assigned to Jean-Sébastien Duret and Pierre-Frédérick Duret are traditional cadency mark of second and third sons, here used for Ms. Martel’s second and third children. |
Differenced Arms for Pierre-Frédérick Duret, son of Louise MartelBlazonThe Arms of Louise Martel debruised of a mullet Argent in the canton; SymbolismThe crescent and star assigned to Jean-Sébastien Duret and Pierre-Frédérick Duret are traditional cadency mark of second and third sons, here used for Ms. Martel’s second and third children. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on March 23, 2013 in Volume 147, page 537 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Louise Martel and Manon Labelle, Miramichi Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterEva Pilar-Cass CalligrapherShirley Mangione Recipient TypeIndividual |