The Canadian Royal Heritage Trust

King George III Canadian Royal Heritage Library

The Library reflects the fact that throughout discordant times, the concept of monarchical society has been a dominant theme for mankind.  For not only have most societies in history been monarchies, but also many important and stable modern nations are monarchies, and the ideal of constitutional monarchy commands the loyalty of many people not living under one.  Canada has been a monarchy for over five hundred years.  This Library, unique in the English-Speaking world, is devoted to the study of kingship in all its varied aspects, not least of which is its history and practice in this Dominion of the North.

The Library, a division of The Canadian Royal Heritage Trust, currently has four branches.  The Claudia Willetts Branch (named in memory of the first Librarian) is the main branch and is housed at the Fealty Heritage Centre, Suite 206A - 3050 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontaio.  The Queen's Bush Branch is at the Canadian Royal Heritage Museum, 144 Barbara Street, Neustadt, Ontario.  The Quinte Branch is at the Belleville Scout - Guide Museum, 350 Dundas Street West, Belleville, Ontario.  The Elgin Branch is at the Duncombe House Heritage Centre, 32 Talbot Street, St Thomas, Ontario.

This is a reference library system, and may be used for reference and research on the premises.  As most material is out of print, items may not be borrowed.  Telephone and written enquiries are accepted, and will be dealt with as quickly as possible by our volunteer, part-time library staff.  Extensive research may be provided for a negotiated fee.

King George III

Reigned 1760-1820

“King George III was one of the great book collectors of his age and a founder of the British national library … He began to collect books before he came to the throne … The library was not acquired for his personal use but as the nucleus of a [future] national library … The King’s library was designed for scholars and was open to all … Its value today is incalculable.  The King bequeathed the library to his successor, who in 1823 presented it to the British Museum.”

            King George III, John Brooke, London, 1872, pp. 482-486

The Canadian Royal Heritage Trust’s Library was named in honour of King George III, who, in addition to his contributions to learning and scientific research, was the first Sovereign to reign over all of Canada, following the union of New France and British North America in 1763.

The King George III Canadian Royal Heritage Library possesses a growing collection of more than 10,000 books, pamphlets, journals and articles.  It is built on donations, and is a recipient of the Canadian Book Exchange Centre of the National Library of Canada.  For its size it has a broad and varied collection dealing with specific monarchs and philosophy of monarchy, as well as more specific dynastic topics such as:

• Crown in Canada, the historic role of the Crown and Royal Family in Canada
• Canadian history, the United Empire Loyalists, Governors-General and Lieutenant-Governors
• Royal tours of Canada, and visits throughout the world
• Biographies of the Queen and members of the Royal Family
• Sovereigns of the House of Windsor (20^th and 21^st centuries)
• Queen Victoria, the Prince Consort, their family and descendants
• Royal Houses of Hanover, Bourbon, Stuart, Valois and Tudor
• Royal ceremonies and regalia, including coronations
• Development of the Commonwealth of Nations
• Palaces, castles, churches associated with royalty
• Cultural influences, music, art, literature, performing arts, decorative arts, cookery
• Kings and Queens around the world, both contemporary and historical (almost every country has had a history of monarchy)
• Ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia and Egypt
• Royal genealogy
• Heraldry, orders and decorations
• And much more …

The Library has a special collection of books for children, ranging from pre-school storybooks, to non-fiction reading material, to stimulate interest in monarchy for older children.

There is a selection of French language material in Canadian and European subject areas.

Books from some extensive private collections on related topics may be made available to users of the Library on request.

Donations of books and magazines are always gratefully received and acknowledged.  The donor’s name will be entered on the item, and also on a permanent List of Donors to the Library.  (Donations of pictures, commemoratives and newspaper clippings may be made to the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust’s parallel archive collection, The King Louis XIV Canadian Royal Heritage Archives.)

On The Library Shelf

These essays, use Library materials to expound relevant topics of interest, so indicating the richness of the collection.  Click here to view the essays.

For Further information:
Librarian:
Email: kg3library@crht.ca
Telephone: 416-482-4909
Fax: 416-544-8082

The King Louis XIV Canadian Royal Heritage Archives

The Archives of monarchical material held by the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust comprise a unique collection for research and display.  Established in 1980 by Mary Miller (Mrs W.H.) Freeman as the Archives of the Monarchist League of Canada, the Archives include the extensive M. Ida New Collection of photographs and prints.  In 1994 the Archives were transferred to the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust and considerably expanded since.  The Archives are housed at the Fealty Heritage Centre, Suite 206A - 3050 Yonge Street (at Lawrence Avenue) in Toronto, Ontario.  The material is available to the public on the premises for research purposes, and arrangements may be made for public display. On special Archives Days exhibits from the collection are displayed in the premises.

King Louis XIV

Reigned 1643-1715

King Louis XIV of the Royal House of Bourbon, was one of the most important monarchs in Canadian history, and his reign was the longest.  In 1663 he made New France a royal province, the first step in Canada's evolution from colony to independent kingdom.  In his reign he also fostered the social and economic development of Canada.  The King was also one of the great patrons of literature and art, established many academies and wrote his memoirs.  The Canadian Royal Heritage Trust Archives were named in his honour to recognise the contribution of this great Canadian king.

The King Louis XIV Canadian Royal Heritage Archives includes the following