in Law, one of the servants to the warder of the Fleet-prison, who attended the king's courts with a red staff, for taking into custody such as are committed by the court. He also attends on such prisoners as are permitted to go at large by licence.

Batton, in Architecture, a moulding in the base of a column, called also a tore.

Baston, Baton, or Batone. This word is French, and signifies a staff or cudgel: it should be spelt Baton; but is, by most English writers, corruptly spelt as above. It is only borne in English coats of arms, as a badge of illegitimacy; but French heralds introduce it in arms as a difference, or mark of consanguinity.

ROBERT, a Carmelite monk, afterwards prior Bastonado prior of the convent of that order at Scarborough, and also poet laureate and public orator at Oxford, flourished in the fourteenth century. King Edward I., in his expedition into Scotland in 1324, took Robert Barton with him, in order to celebrate his victories over the Scots; but our poet being taken prisoner, was obliged to change his note, and sing the succettes of Robert Bruce. He wrote several books in Latin, on the Wars of Scotland, the Luxury of Priests, Synodical Sermons, &c.; and also a volume of tragedies and comedies, in English. He died about the year 1310.