| historicalbackground | - A Knight banneret, sometimes known simply as banneret, was a knight who led a company of troops during time of war under his own banner and were eligible to bear supporters in English heraldry.
The military rank of a knight banneret was higher than a knight bachelor , 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.
Under English custom the rank of knight banneret could only be conferred by the sovereign on the field of battle. There were some technical exceptions to this; when his standard was on the field of battle he could be regarded as being present though he was not. His proxy could be regarded as a sufficient substitution for his presence.
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