BANNERET mast, or some tall tree, planted on a scaffold, borne on a carriage drawn by oxen, covered with velvet housings, decorated with devices or cyphers of the prince reigning. At the foot of the tree was a priest, who said mass early every morning. Ten knights mounted guard on the scaffold night and day, and as many trumpets at the foot of the tree never ceased flourishing, to animate the troops. This cumbersome machine, the mode of which was brought from Italy, continued in use about 130 years. Its post was in the centre of the army. And here it was that the chief feats were performed, to carry off and defend the royal banner; for there was no victory without it, nor was an army reputed vanquished till they had lost this banner.