Banner

A banner is a type of period flag that is attached vertically to a spear or staff, or on other ceremonial items like trumpets. They are rectangular in shape with the longer side generally attached to the staff. Some can be found that are square. The flag bears a noble's device or symbol in such a way that the dexter side was by the staff on either side of the flag. Some banners had one or more strip or tongue extending horizontally out from the top edge or the outside edge. They were also commonly decorated with a fringe around all but the staff side.

See also:

• Knight Bachelor

Banners in the SCA

In the SCA, the term banner is commonly used to refer to a flag that is suspended horizontally from a pole. This is actually a gonfalon.

It is also common to see banner bearers on the field during SCA battles.

References

• Medieval Flags and Banners
• Medieval Flags: Norris
• Heraldic Arts & Sciences: A Banner Wrap Up

External Links

• Atlantian A&S Links: Heraldic Banners & Flags
• Extant Banners & Flags from the Middle Ages and Renaissance