Customer Reviews

The Fleurs de Lis of the Kings of France, 1258-148

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This text is the result of the author's exhaustive inter-disciplinary research seeking to identify the origins of the three "fleurs de lis", as armorial emblems of the kings of France. The search probes the Dark Ages and beyond, encountering references to the legends of Troy, the Holy Trinity, Saint-Denis and more, all reflected in the royal lily banner.

William M. Hinkle is professor emeritus of art history, at Columbia University, who tells the complex tale of how the "fleur de lis" evolved into royal French emblem, and a sign of God's favor.

Hinkle, provides 56 plates to illustrate the text, plus detailed appendixes that explain the finer points of the origin of "fleurs de lis".

The bibliography provides a wealth of resources and offers materials divided into disciplines, thus: 1- Heraldry, Sigillography and Numismatics; 2- History; 3- Literature; 4- Art.

In the arcane, almost mystical processes at work in the evolution of the symbolic/heraldic representation of French kings, this book is vaguely reminiscent of James Frazer's "The Golden Bough", as it touches on the mystique of kings and the mythology of kingship.

A delight to the eye, this book is handsomely presented in startling French blue with gold lettering, all wrapped in a similarly colored parchment-like dust jacket. It is very well done.

Hinkle's work should be in the library of every serious Europhile and anyone else who has an interest in the art, mythology, heraldry, religion, literature, etc., which underlie the development of Western Civilization: the premier cultural achievement of mankind ---- don't leave your castle without it!