BANNER

(Swed. bmner; Fr. bannlere.) A Sag or standard under which men are united or bound for some common purpose. This word, found in all the modern I of Western Europe, is of very doubtful origin:.nil of which our ancient English authors were gly fond, and to which they Invariably attach Ih. same meaning. (Chaucer, the Knight's Tale, V. Thomas More s Works, 'XT; Dravton, Battle of A; Yalden to.Sir II. Maehoorth, Ac.) Among the Germans, the honour of bearing a banner was conferred by the emperor on that individual who eoold bring len va als into the field. In later times, petty princes a umed this privilege; and in the year 11:1 Pope Eugene IV. Count Bforxa banneret (bannerherrn) of the Roman empire. In the free towns on the C Inent, the banner was always carried by the chief magistrate ex nffi. cio, in cases of solemnities or of grand pri England, a knight banneret was created by the ceremony of cutting off the four comers of his standard and making it square. Some antiquarians trace the origin of this custom toConan, the lieutenant of Maximus, who governed Britain in the year 383 (Gwillim, AtUMgia Honerum)', while others maintain it took its rise from the Black Prince on the field of Cre y. A wonderful similarity seems l exist between the duties and privileges of the old knights bannerets of England and those of the prlmipili (the Standard bearers) among the Romans. (7' nwires de CAcad. des Inscn'ji/ioti.i.) Banner. The ordnance flag, fixed on the forepart of the drum-major's kettle-drum carriage, formerly used by the royal artillery. At present, when such n ilag'is carried it is affixed to the carriage of the right-hand gun of the park — generally a twelve-pounder. In the horse equipage the banner of the drums and trumpets must be of the colour of the facings of the regiment it: bears the royal cypher and crown, and the rank of the regiment. liv' [s. 143]