fleur de lis - France

In the twelfth century, either King Louis VI or King Louis VII became the first French monarch to use the fleur de lis on his shield. Azure, a semis of fleurs de lis or. English kings later used the fleur de lis on their coats of arms to emphasize their claims to the throne of France. Louis VIII of France wore blue vestments with golden fleurs de lis. Charles the V in 1376, limited the use to three to honor the Blessed Trinity. Azure, three fleurs de lis or.

In the early sixteenth century the French royal flag was blue with three gold fleurs-de-lis representing directly the shield in the royal French coat of arms. It is not likely that the French explorers Verrazano or Cartier actually raised this flag on land. At the time the practice of placing a permanent marker was preferred.

From 1590-1790 the Bourbon Banner, a white flag with three golden fleurs-de-lis, was one of four flags used on warships and fortresses. It is believed that the white flag of France flew over all or most of the French forts and settlements in America.