A
knight banneret, sometimes known simply as
banneret, was a
Medieval knight ("a commoner of rank") who led a company of troops during time of war under his own
banner (which was square-shaped, in contrast to the tapering
standard or the
pennon flown by the lower-ranking knights) and were eligible to bear
supporters in
English heraldry. The military rank of a knight banneret was higher than a
knight bachelor (who fought under another's banner), but lower than an earl or duke; the word derives from the French
banneret, from
bannire, banner, elliptical for
seigneur - or
chevalier banneret, Medieval Latin
banneretus.