BACHELOR was anciently a denomination given to those who had attained to knighthood, but wanted the number of vassals sufficient to entitle them to have their banner carried before them in the field of battle; or who, being of the order of bannerets, were not yet of age to display their own banner, and consequently obliged to march to battle under the banner of another. Bachelor was also a title given to young cavaliers, who having made their first campaign, received the military girdle accordingly; and it further served to distinguish him who had overcome an adversary in a tournament the first time he had ever engaged.