enotes either a square flag, or the principal standard belonging to a prince.

We find a multiplicity of opinions concerning the etymology of the word banner; some deriving it from the Latin bandum, "a band or flag;" others from the word bann, "to summon the vassals to appear in arms;" others again from the German ban, "a field or tenement," because landed men alone were allowed a banner: and, finally, there are some who think it is a corruption of panniere, from pannus, "cloth," because banners were originally made of cloth.

The BANNER of France, was the largest and richest of all the flags borne by the ancient kings in their great military expeditions. St Martin's cap was in use 600 years as the banner of France; it was made of taffety, painted with the image of that saint, and laid one or two days on his tomb to prepare it for use. About the year 1100 came in a more pompous apparatus. The banner royal was fastened to the top of a mast, or some tall tree, planted on a scaffold; borne on a carriage drawn by oxen, covered with velvet houfings, 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 model 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 any army reputed vanquished till they had lost their banner.