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Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms
August 15, 2013
Vol. VI, p. 257
Arms of Muriel Joyce BryantBlazonAzure an inkwell Argent capped Or its ink Azure within an orle of eight lions’ faces facing inward Or; SymbolismThe lions’ heads, based on the lion of the Crest of the Royal Arms of Canada used as the emblem of the Governor General’s office, and the blue and gold colours refer to Mrs. Bryant’s service to this office over the terms of eight governors general. The inkwell refers to her work as a secretary and office administrator, as well as her love of writing. |
CrestBlazonA bison-lion rampant Or winged, accorné and holding between the hooves a cross pattee convexed Azure; SymbolismThe bison is found on the arms of Manitoba, where Mrs. Bryant was born and grew up. Its leonine hindquarters not only refer to the lions’ heads in the arms, but also allude to the griffin, and thus refer to the griffin crests used by people named Turpin, Mrs. Bryant’s birth name. The wings allude to Mrs. Bryant’s service with the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women’s Division) in the Second World War. The cross is indicative of her Christian faith, this particular version based on that found on the cornerstone of St. Bartholomew’s Church, Ottawa, her longtime parish home. |
MottoBlazonUNTO THE HILLS; SymbolismThis phrase is taken from Psalm 121:1, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills”, and used in a favourite hymn of Mrs. Bryant’s. It also refers to her time in the hilly landscape of Gloucestershire during her residence in England immediately prior to the Second World War, and to the Gatineau Hills near Ottawa. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on March 22, 2014 in Volume 148, page 655 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterGordon Macpherson CalligrapherLuc Saucier Recipient TypeIndividual |