King's Coat of Arms

The Old Coat of Arms

In 1959, the King’s Board of Governors was alerted to the fact that the existing Coat of Arms was “incorrect.” The crest had been invented by King’s students in 1870 and combined the Royal Arms with those of Oxford University, Nova Scotia and the Diocese of Nova Scotia.
After some ongoing investigation and discussion with the University of Oxford, it was determined in 1962 that the crest had never been officially sanctioned by the College of Arms, nor any other recognized heraldic authority. Additionally, Board minutes from that year report that the Crest’s current design indicated a federation in heraldic terms, and was not applicable to King’s.

The New Coat of Arms

The College of Arms in London granted the University a new coat of arms in 1964.However, there was another error when the Crest motto was transcribed. The Latin motto read “Deo Regi Legi Gregi”, inadvertently placing the monarch (“Regi”) ahead of the law (“Legi.”)
The sharp eyes of then-President Smith caught the error and ensured its correction. Approved by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1966, the correct motto now reads "Deo Legi Regi Gregi" and translates to "For God, Law, King, People."
The crown to the left of the Pascal Lamb represents Oxford University on which King's is patterned. The Pascal Lamb represents the Fredericton Diocese. The St. Andrew's Cross (with the Pastoral Staff and the Key) symbolizes the Nova Scotia Diocese. Prince Edward Island, which is part of the Diocese of Nova Scotia, is represented by four green oak trees.