enotes either a square flag, or the principal standard of a prince or state. We find a multiplicity of opinions concerning the etymology of the word banner; some deriving it from the Latin bandum, a hand 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a banner; and finally, there are persons who think it a corruption of panarie, from pannus, cloth, because banners were originally made of cloth.