Oriflamme Banner

By Crusader1307

Possibly on the the “first” symbols of France, The Oriflamme dated back to the 8th Century. Used to represent The Capetian Dynasty (House of Capet), it was widely used until the 12th Century. The banner was a slender red 2 foot by 5 foot (tassled) field. The extended tassles were arranged in three pieces (tied off). A yellow Sun was featured at the top with smaller pieces of yellow cloth “dripping” from the Sun. The entirety was lined in green. This may have symbolized The Capetian Dynasty's “wealth and prosperity”. It was (as legend states) only brought out and displayed in time of War. This was documented during The Sack of Paris (by Norsemen) – in the 9th Century. The Oriflamme Banner was used sporadically by other ruling Houses in early French History.