Our First Heraldic Studies Day
Dr. Jonathan Lofft,and Mr. Mr. Brian Gable
The Branch could not have asked for a better day to host its Annual General Meeting for 2015, in conjunction with the Branch’s First Annual Heraldic Study Day. This year being the first, the executive was unsure of how the day would play out and if there would be an active interest from Branch members in attending. We are happy to report that overall, between the Heraldic Study Day, AGM, and the dinner which followed the day’s festivities, we had around 40 members and guests take part.
The Heraldic Studies Day started promptly at 10:00 am at Trinity College, University of Toronto with a lecture from Mr. Vicken Koundakjian, FRHSC, RHSC First Vice President on “Heraldry in Canada’s Honours & Awards”. Vicken provided some wonderful slides on many of Canada’s past and present awards. Next was an informative lecture from Mrs. Ilona Jurkiewicz, FRHSC on “Napoleonic Heraldic Grants to Polish Officers”. This lecture seemed to have captured the attention of all members assembled, and it was interesting to see the different ways heraldic achievements are created under different authorities.
L-R: Vicken Koundakjian, Edward McNabb, David Rumball, Stephen Murray, and Ian Steingaszner
Following a break for lunch, Dr. John J. Kennedy, Ph.D, FRHSC, AIH took us through a “Reflection of the Heraldry of early Lieutenant Governors of Upper Canada”. It was interesting to see where the provincial leadership had come from in the early days and the background behind their heraldic achievements. Finally, as our day together wrapped up, we were treated to a lecture on “The Flags of Canada’s Crown” which was given by Mr. Brendon Bedford on behalf of Bishop D. Ralph Spence, FRHSC. Brendon did a wonderful job of detailing the charges and reasoning behind the symbols which are on various personal flags and state flags of members of the Royal family.
With the formalities of the Heraldic Study Day completed, the membership of the Toronto Branch moved over to the Larkin Building where the Branch Annual General Meeting took place. Routine business of reading reports from various committees, and re-electing members to the 2015-2016 board took place. Nothing of significance is needed to report from the AGM. We are in good hands and are looking forward to another successful year under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Lofft, Branch President, and his executive.
