It had come down from heaven; it was the banner of Clovis and of Saint Charlemagne.

When the King went to war it was carried before him.

So great was its virtue that the enemy at its approach became powerless and fled in terror.

It was remembered how, when in 1304 Philippe le Bel defeated the Flemings, the knight who bore it was slain.

The next day he was found dead, but still clasping the standard in his arms.[706] It had floated in front of King Charles VI before his misfortunes, and since then it had never been unfurled.
[Footnote 703: Clerk of the Town Hall of Albi, in _Trial_, vol.iv, p.
300.] [Footnote 704: Thomassin, in _Trial_, vol.iv, p.