Banner,

Banner, a term sometimes loosely used to signify any military ensign or standard (see STANDARD), but in a more strict sense denoting a square flag charged with the coat of arms of the owner. The banner was borne by sovereigns, princes, barons, and bannerets, and served as the ensign both of the owner of it and of his retainers and followers. It differed from the pennon not only in being square and not pointed, but in bearing only the owner's arms, and not his badge or device; and therefore the pennon of a newly made Banneret (q.v.), though intended to represent a banner, was not exactly one. The royal standard of the United Kingdom, and the cavalry standards in use in the army, are in strictness banners. See FLAG, PENNON.