The Oriflamme

The sacred oriflamme of France was a red silk banner mounted on a gold staff. (Or, gold, referring to the staff; flamme, flame, referring to the tongues of flame.) The flag was cut into three "vandykes," to represent "tongues of fire;" and between either was a silken tassel.

This celebrated standard was originally that borne by the abbots of St. Denis, and later by the counts of Vezin, patrons of that church. When the country of Vezin fell into the hands of the French crown, under Philippe I., 1082, the oriflamme became the principal banner of the kingdom. It was first used as a national banner in 1119. In war, the display of this standard indicated that no quarter would be given. The English standard of no quarter was the "burning dragon."

The Abbey of St. Denis had the keeping of the crown, sceptre, and other ornaments used at the coronation of the kings of France. St. Denis, the patron saint of France, was the first bishop of Paris. He suffered martyrdom during one of the persecutions of the Roman emperors, being beheaded in 272. His body was buried near the place of his execution; and over the spot a church was built, which was afterwards united with the Abbey of St. Denis. This church contained the tombs of most of the French kings; but in 1793, when hatred of royalty was at its height in France, the tombs of the kings were opened, and their bodies cast into a common grave.