(23-03-2018, 03:45 PM)Morten St. George wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view....
Recall that on page 85+ we see an unambiguous drawing of the fleur de lys so the VMS authors were clearly familiar with this symbol. Also, let me remind you that, historically, the fleur de lys is predominantly associated with France rather than Italy.
Everyone was familiar with fleur-de-lis symbols (they were based on iris and lily flowers, and sometimes on the shape of a blade grip), just as everyone was familiar with images of lions used on standards, coats of arms, tapestries, and clothing.
They have come to be associated with France, but in earlier times, they can be found in Italy and Greece, as well, on emblems, churches, coins...
Fleur-de-lis symbols (both heraldic and otherwise) were ubiquitous in medieval society, and not just in Europe... in India the fleur-de-lis was used on coins in the Ksahtrap Dynasty, 2,000 years ago. In Europe, it was already in general use by at least the 9th century.