Knights bannerets, also known simply as bannerets, refer to a specific type of knight in medieval times who held a prestigious rank on the battlefield. The term "banneret" originates from the Latin word "bannum," meaning a military banner, and it pertains to the concept of leading troops under a distinctive banner or standard.
A knight banneret was typically a highly esteemed warrior who had demonstrated exceptional skill, courage, and leadership on the field of battle. Unlike regular knights, who were usually made bannerets through the process of being knighted, bannerets gained their title through battlefield promotion. This promotion occurred when a knight proved their valor and prowess by leading a substantial force, oftentimes of their own men-at-arms, into a successful engagement. The monarch or a high-ranking noble would witness these feats and subsequently authorize the knight's elevation from knight bachelor to the rank of banneret.
Knights bannerets held a distinct position of honor and prestige in medieval warfare. They were typically granted additional privileges and heraldic symbols to denote their status, such as the right to carry a square-shaped banner or place their coat of arms on a triangular flag, known as a penoncel. These banners were displayed prominently on the battlefield, allowing knights bannerets to be easily recognized and to serve as rallying points for their troops.
Overall, knights bannerets were renowned figures in the medieval period, celebrated for their battlefield accomplishments and revered as leaders of men on the tumultuous grounds of war.
The word "banneret" originated from Late Latin "bannire", which means to summon or proclaim. During the Middle Ages, a banneret was a knight who commanded a contingent of troops under his own flag or banner. The term "knight" has Germanic roots, derived from the Old English word "cniht", meaning servant or retainer. The "s" at the end of "knights" in "knights bannerets" indicates the plural form.