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 in 1121. The banner's last certain appearance was at the disastrous battle of Agincourt (1415), where the bearer was killed and the flag disappeared.
One of the chronicles describe the Oriflamme as a crimson silk vexillum with three tails, green fringe, and tassels.
Later in the medieval era, there appeared along side the French king's royal standard (gold fleur-de-lis on blue) a flag that possibly substituted for the original Oriflamme. This latter version had two-tails, and was a red vexillum with a gold sun-disk and gold flames.

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 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.
  
  
  
• 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 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.

Comments and questions are welcomed, and can be sent to:
Société de l'Oriflamme
PO Box 137, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.
Page last updated 31 May 1998.

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