In 1646 the Petit Conseil or Executive Council of Fribourg
commissioned Pierre Crolot, an artist from the Free County of
Burgundy, with the task of illustrating the flags and banners that
were carried by Fribourg troops on campaigns in the Sundgau,
Burgundy, and Italy (at the end of the 15th century and the
beginning of the 16th century) and where then displayed in the
church of St. Nicholas. These objects themselves disappeared
without a trace in 1822, with the exception of three ceremonial
robs of the Order of the Golden Fleece (which are now on display in
the castle of Gruyère). The book contains 42 illustrations: 3
frontispieces show the coats of arms of the city, its bailiwicks,
and the coats of arms of the members of the Executive Council; 30
illustrations reproduce the banners and 9 illustrations portray
Burgundian clothing items and tapestries. The “Book of Flags”
is an art object, valuable as a record of objects that have been
lost, as well as a witness to the fame of the Fribourg troops in
the late Middle Ages.
