Geoffroi de Charny (Bearer of the Oriflamme)

Geoffroi de Charny (c. 1304–1356), Lord of Pierre-Perthuis and Montfort, was widely acknowledged across Western Europe as the quintessential knight and foremost chivalric theorist of his age. A trusted counselor and general to King Philip VI and King John II of France, Charny was appointed a founding knight of the prestigious Order of the Star (Ordre de l'Étoile).

Charny authored the famous treatise Livre de Chevalerie (Book of Chivalry), establishing the moral, ethical, and military duties of knighthood: 'He who achieves more is worthy of more' (Qui plus fait, mieux vaut). In 1347, he was appointed Bearer of the sacred Oriflamme, the royal battle standard of France. At the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, Charny stood steadfast beside King John II, shielding his monarch with his body and dying cut down with the royal banner wrapped tightly in his arms.