E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mariner’s Compass.
The fleur-de-lis which ornaments the northern radius of the mariner’s compass was adopted out of compliment to Charles d’Anjou, whose device it was. He was the reigning king of Sicily when Flavio Gioja, the Neapolitan, madé his improvements in this instrument.
