General History, Cyclopedia And Dictionary Of Freemasonry (1872)
Robert Macoy, 1815-1895 · leaf 93
97 BEA— BRA. BEAUSEANT. The name given to the banner which the ancient Knights Templar carried before them to battle. It was divided across the center — the upper half being black, and the lower half white, intended to signify that they were fair and favorable to the friends of Christ, but black… … “fair seat” — bien seant — that is, as a seal of true fraternal alliance. The seal of this Order was always accompanied with the word Beauseant — both standing in close relationship. It would seem natural, therefore, to refer the word to this token of brotherly love, where two Templars were…
