BAINNERET, a higher grade of knighthood conferred by the sovereign for some heroic net performed in the field, and so called because the pennon of the knight was then exchanged for the banner—a proceeding which was effected by the very simple means of rending the points from the pennon. The first B. in England is said by Frois sart to have been made by king Edward I., and the last time the honor was conferred was by Charles I. after the battle of Edgehill, the recipient being an individual who rejoiced in the familiar name of John Smith. The ceremony of the creation of a knight-B. must have been very impressive to persons filled with the ideas which were provident in the ages of chivalry. The king, or his general, at the head of his army, drawn up in order of battle after a victory under the royal banner displayed, attended by all the officers and nobility of the court, received the B. elect, who was not neces
sarily a knight previously, led between two knights of note or other men famous in arms, carrying his pennon in his hand, the heralds walking before him and proclaiming his valiant achievements, for which he deserved to be made a knight-B., and to display his banner in the field. The king, or general, then said to him: "Advance, Banneret (adeances toy banneret), and caused the point of his pennon to be torn off. The new knight, with the trumpeters sounding before him and the nobility and officers bearing him company, was sent back to his tent, where a noble entertainment was provided by the king. Some attempts have been Made to revive the title in recent times, as when George III., at a review of the navy at Portsmouth in 1773, conferred it on Admiral Pye and several other officers.