Banlier a square flag carried in processions after Roman Catholic custom, and usually designating the parish to which it belongs by the image of the patron saint. In the chapel of orderstof knighthood, as in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, the Chapel of the Order of the Garter, the banner of each knight — i.e. a little square flag bearing his arms — is suspended at his installation over his appropriate stall. The installation of a knight is a religious ceremony, hence the propriety of the act. It is not uncommon to place banners taken in battle over the tombs of victorious generals. Banners were formerly a part of the ornaments of the altar, and were suspended over it "that in the Church the triumph of Christ may evermore be held in mind" (Durand). A heraldic banner is attached to the staff on which it is carried by one side, while the ecclesiastical banner is suspended from the top of the staff by means of a yard. See Pugin, Gloss. of Eccl. Ornament and Costume.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More