Crossword clues for oriflamme
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Oriflamb \Or"i*flamb\, Oriflamme \Or"i*flamme\, n. [F. oriflamme, OF. oriflambe, LL. auriflamma; L. aurum gold + flamma flame; cf. L. flammula a little banner. So called because it was a flag of red silk, split into many points, and borne on a gilded lance.]
The ancient royal standard of France.
-
A standard or ensign, in battle. ``A handkerchief like an oriflamb.''
--Longfellow.And be your oriflamme to-day the helmet of Navarre.
--Macaulay.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
sacred banner of St. Denis, late 15c., from Old French orie flambe, from Latin aurea flamma "golden flame." The ancient battle standard of the kings of France, it was of red or orange-red silk, with two or three points, and was given to the kings by the abbot of St. Denis on setting out to war. Cotgrave says it was "borne at first onely in warres made against Infidells; but afterwards vsed in all other warres; and at length vtterly lost in a battell against the Flemings." It is last mentioned in an abbey inventory of 1534.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context history or historical English) The red silk banner of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis, which the abbot of St Denis gave to French kings as they rode to war. 2 (context figuratively English) Any banner, idea or principle which serves as a rallying point for those involved in a struggle. 3 (context literary English) Something resembling the banner of St Denis; a bright, shining object.
WordNet
n. an inspiring symbol or ideal that serves as a rallying point in a struggle
a red or orange-red flag used as a standard by early French kings
Wikipedia
The Oriflamme (from Latin aurea flamma, "golden flame") was the battle standard of the King of France in the Middle Ages. It was originally the sacred banner of the Abbey of St. Denis, a monastery near Paris. When the oriflamme was raised in battle by the French royalty during the Middle Ages, most notably during the Hundred Years War, no prisoners were to be taken until it was lowered. Through this tactic they hoped to strike fear into the hearts of the enemy, especially the nobles, who could usually expect to be taken alive for ransom during such military encounters.
In French, the term "oriflamme" has come to mean any banner with pointed ends; by association with the form of the original.
Oriflamme may refer to
- Oriflamme, the battle standard of the King of France
- Oriflame, a cosmetic group
- French ship Oriflamme (1744), a French (eventually Spanish) ship sank off the coast of Chile
- British ship Oriflamme, arrived to San Francisco January 8, 1876, 257 days from London, via Portsmouth.
- Oriflamme (1906), a Branlebas-class destroyer of the French Navy
Usage examples of "oriflamme".
Candlesby should not have made himself clear, and easily diverted, eagerly began a paean to the glories of Oriflamme, interspersed with promises that Althea should meet this equine paragon as soon as the mare was delivered from Temple Down on the morrow.
From your presence, may I collect that Oriflamme has been delivered and Julie is safely away?
Juliette was left with nothing to do but gather up the reins and urge Oriflamme sedately from the stableyard.
True, he had a bad reputation, but so had Oriflamme had, and the mare was really the sweetest thing!
As he rode off on Cavalier after watching Oriflamme leave hoofmarks across half the Duckmanton south lawn, Jack cursed himself for an idiot for not taking the child up on her ingenuous offer.
Juliette had ridden Oriflamme across the lawn this morning, cutting it up badly, and had followed this by snubbing Lady Hawkchurch.
With that remark, she touched Oriflamme up into a trot, leaving Anthony to stare after her, for once completely at a loss for words.
And when his destiny was suddenly confounded, he hoped at some time to fulfill by proxy the vow his brother Philip had made to carry the oriflamme of France to the tomb of Christ.
Pope Eugemus crossed the Alps to give his blessing to the banners and to bestow upon Louis with his own hands the staff and wallet for his pilgrimage and the martyr-red oriflamme of France, which reposed between wars upon the altars of the y.
Templars, and the oriflamme, the remnant of the grand crusade made its way over the stony highways of Palestine to the immemorial city.
Louis cast down the burden of his sins, reposed the oriflamme which the Pope had taken from Saint Dems, and laid his offering upon the holiest altar in the world.
In addition to the King, the Constable and both Marshals, and the bearer of the Oriflamme, who were either dead or taken, the victors captured one fighting archbishop, 13 counts, 5 viscounts, 21 barons and bannerets, and some 2,000 knights, squires, and men-at- arms of the gentry.
Each side raised the Oriflamme against the other, won and lost control of the helpless King and the capital, multiplied taxes.
Yet, how they sucked the teats Of Carnage, thirsty issue of their dam, Whose eagles, angrier than their oriflamme, Flushed the vext earth with blood, green earth forgets.
We five Oriflammes scrambled to catch up, but the Chay in the procession resumed marching without missing a step.