Société de l'Oriflamme

The Oriflamme (meaning 'gold flame') was the sacred banner of the Abbey of St. Denis. It accompanied the French kings in most of their major battles, beginning with Louis VI's 1121 campaign against the emperor Henry V. It is believed that the banner's last appearance was at the disastrous battle of Maupertuis [near Poitiers] (1356), where the bearer was killed and the flag disappeared. However, some reports suggest a few later appearances. It is sometimes confused with the French king's royal standard (gold fleur-de-lis on blue), which the Oriflamme often accompanied in major campaigns.
One of many accounts, described the Oriflamme as a crimson silk vexillum with three tails, green fringe, and tassels.
More information is at In Search of the Oriflamme.

The Société de l'Oriflamme sponsors the development of web pages and publications that examine European medieval warfare with a broader perspective than that generally found in English language sources. This page serves as a gateway to specific topics, the pages of which are continuously under development. Only underlined links are active.

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• The Hundred Years' War (1328-1453) Focus on the final phase of the great struggle between England and Valois France; most appropriately designated The War of Charles VII (1422-1453).
  
  
• Weapons, Armor, and Forces of Medieval Europe
  
  
  • Non-Gunpowder Artillery.
    
    
  • Gunpowder Artillery and Handguns.
    
    
  • Individual Edge Weapons.
    
    
  • Individual Non-Gunpowder Missile Weapons.
  
  
  
• Crusades influncing French medieval military history.
  • The Crusades in the Levant (662-1291)
  • Albigensian Crusade (1209-1255)
  
  
  
• French Medieval Armies and Navies provides a fine overview of military structures and developments in medieval France. This is part of the Hillsdale college website, and consists of chapters III through IX from Arthur Tilley's Medieval France: A Companion to French Studies (London, 1922).
  
  
• ARMEDIEVAL Special project on medieval artillery demonstrations in France.
  
  
• Recommended for research is a site on the genealogy of the French royal families, with associated titles and coats of arms. The author has other sites that explain French blasonary.
  
  
• Recommended for information on medieval armorial flags. The site is a 'gateway' to many quality websites on the subject.
  
  
• Recommended for research is The Middle Ages Trust Medieval Web Site Locator provides one of the most comprehensive 'gateways' to a rich array of web sites relating to the Medieval era.
  
  
• Recommended for the study of French military history, and especially for travel in France with the intent to visit battlefields and fortresses, are INSTITUT   GÉOGRAPHIQUE   NATIONAL maps.
  
  
• Recommended for the study of French medieval history, and especially for visiting castles and ancient structures in France, are the guides produced by Les Éditions FRAGILE.

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