IRIS, 189 



with an indefinite number of Fleurs-de-lis as early 



as the "time of Clovis the First, about the end of 

 the fifth century, previously to which time the em- 

 blem of France had been either three toads or three 

 diadems in champ d'argent — others say three cres- 

 cents, surrounded with a number of bees. 



About the middle of the twelfth century, Louis 

 the Seventh of France, having been excommuni- 

 cated by the Pope, and his kingdom laid under an 

 interdict, was persuaded to take up the cross and 

 join in the romantic expedition of the Crusaders, 

 on which occasion he distinguished himself, as was 

 the custom of those times, by a particular blazon, 

 for which he chose the Iris flower, from that time 

 called Flour de Louis, Louis's flower, which was 

 first contracted into fleur de Luce, and afterwards 

 into fleur de lis, Lily flower, although it has no 

 affinity to the Lily. The Iris flower soon became 

 celebrated in France as the Fleur de lis, and was 

 not only used in the arms of France, but employed 

 in the decorative embellishments of the crown itself. 



The number of fleurs de lis used in emblazoning 

 the arms of France was reduced to three in the 

 reign of Charles the Sixth, about the year 1381, 

 when that monarch added supporters to the shield 

 of France — which arose from the following circum- 

 stance. This youthful Prince, whilst hunting in 

 the forest of Senlis, roused an enormous stag, which 



