Please note that the Editors consider this term to be both contradictory and confusing, and suggest therefore, considerable caution before use.
BANNERET
1) A term sometimes used to describe a miniature banner; this is often (but
by no means invariably) straight-sided and triangular ended or swallow-tailed, is designed to be displayed
vertically and usually shows emblems of either national and local significance (see
also bannerette,
emblem, general, table flag and
triangular ended).
2) A medieval term, now obsolete, for a knight entitled to lead men into
battle – a knight banneret – whose armigerous lance pennon was square-ended, or for the group of knights so lead –
a banneretus (see also
armigerous,
banderium,
lance pennon 1)
and pennoncier).
Table Flag/Banneret of Čađavica, Croatia (fotw);
Lance Pennon of Sir Robert Knolles. Knight Banneret c1360, England
BANNERETTE (or BANERETTE)
1) A small ceremonial banner decorating a set of bagpipes, a drum or a trumpet
– a drum banner, pipe banner or a trumpet banner or tabard (see also
‘war banner’).
A medieval term, now obsolete, for a banneret (see
‘banneret 2)’).
BANNERHAUPT
The German term for a bannerhead – see ‘bannerhead’.
BANNERHEAD
The term – and a direct translation of the German "bannerhaupt" –
sometimes used in German language vexillology – to describe the plain area of field that may appear
at the head of a hanging flag or a banner and almost invariably bearing a civic or regional coat of
arms (see also
‘banner 2)’,
‘hanging flag’ and
‘hoisted flag’).
1) In largely Scottish usage a term, now obsolete, for one who bears a standard.
2) An originally 17th century term, now obsolete, for a Chinese soldier
belonging to one of the eight “banners” (or divisions) of the Manchu army
(see also ‘banner 7)’).
Bannerole (or single quartering) from the Arms of the 4th Duke of Buccleuch d1687
Please note – not be confused with banderole (see
‘banderole’).
BAR
1) The heraldic term for a straight, wavy (or otherwise decorated –
for example a bar embattled as illustrated below) horizontal stripe that is rarely borne singly,
and which in strict heraldic practice should occupy about one-fifth the width
of a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof – but see note b)
below and compare with ‘fess’ (also
‘barrulet’, ‘barry’,
‘filet’ and
‘quartering 1)’).
2) In vexillology see ‘stripe(s)’.
3) In UK military usage and in some others, the metal clasp which is added to a medal ribbon to indicate a second award of that same medal, or the battle, campaign or reason for its award.
Notes a) In vexillology a fess and a bar are regarded as almost synonymous.
b) With regard to 1), in strict heraldic usage there is a size difference between
a bar and a fess (as listed herein), and that a fess should be confined to the centreline of the field
whereas a bar or bars need not.
BAR CROSS
An accurate but seldom used translation (balken meaning a "balk", "bar" or "beam" of
wood) of the German term Balkenkreuz – see ‘balkenkreuz’.
BAR SINISTER
This term, supposedly indicating illegitimacy, is a nineteenth century invention – for the
correct heraldic phrase see baton sinister.
BARBED
1) The heraldic term used when describing the leaves of a rose – but see seeded and its following note (also
garnished) 2) A heraldic term
also used to describe the metal point of an arrow
or of a spear, particularly when these are of a different tincture – but see shafted (also hafted,
hilted,
rogacina and
tincture).
Please note that this term is sometimes also applied to the thorns found on the stem of a rose.
BARGE FLAG
1) In UK usage, one of a number of varying flags (usually a banner of arms)
which are flown from the ceremonial barges of London’s livery companies (see
also ‘banner of arms’)
2) See
‘boat flag 3)’ and the note
below.
Barge Flag/Banner of Arms of The Worshipful Company of Fletchers, London UK
Please note that in British RN and some other usage, the small boat carrying a vessel’s
commander, or a flag officer, is called the captain’s, commodore’s or admiral’s "barge",
but that any rank flag or ensign flown from it is invariably called a "boat flag", as referenced
above.
The terms sometimes used to describe an elaborately designed shield of the post-medieval
type – a baroque ornamented shield/frame – but see ‘renaissance shield’
(also ‘shield’).
Arms of Kemmern, Germany (Wikipedia);
Flag of León, Spain;
Arms of Kraftisried, Germany (Wikipedia)
Please note that several of the terms describing a specific type of shield are still in the process of
standardization, and that no consistent approach has thus far been identified.
BARRULET (BARRELET, BARRULY or BARRULLY)
Alternative heraldic terms for a narrow horizontal stripe that is rarely borne singly, which is often
to be seen as a barrulet wavy and which in strict heraldic practice should occupy one-quarter the
width of a bar or about one-twentieth the width of a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering
thereof – a barrelet, barrully or bracelet (see also
‘bar’,
‘barry’, ‘filet’ and
‘wavy’).
The heraldic term for the division of a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering
thereof, into four or more usually (but not invariably) equal horizontal stripes in
alternating tinctures – but see "barry wavy" (below) and
‘multi-stripe’
(also ‘banner of arms’, ‘bar’, ‘barrulet’,
‘bar’, ‘quartering 1)’ and
‘tincture’).
The heraldic term used to describe a series of wavy stripes, often (but not
invariably) in azure and argent to represent running water – but see
"barry" (above) and wavy.
![[banneret]](../images/v/vxt-d4109.gif)
![[banneret]](../images/v/vxt-d1088.gif)
![[bannerette]](../images/v/vxt-d1438.gif)