[ban-er-it, -uh-ret] 
| 1. | History/Historical. a knight who could bring a company of followers into the field under his own banner. |
| 2. | a rank of knighthood; knight banneret. |
| ban·ner·et 1 (bān'ər-ĭt, -ə-rět') n. A small banner. [Middle English baneret, from Old French banerete, diminutive of baniere, banner; see banner.] |
| ban·ner·et 2 (bān'ər-ĭt, -ə-rět') n. A feudal knight ranking between a knight bachelor and a baron, who was entitled to lead men into battle under his own standard. [Middle English baneret, from Old French, from baniere, banner; see banner.] |
banneret
a European medieval knight privileged to display in the field a square banner (as distinct from the tapering pennon of a simple knight). The term was used in countries of French and English speech from the 13th to the 16th century. In 13th-century England any commander of a troop of 10 or more lances who was not a count or an earl was usually a banneret. Later, in both England and France, the style became a title of honour, conferred for distinguished military service. There is no connection between the style of banneret and the baronetage (hereditary dignity) established in England by King James I in 1611.
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