Garde du Corps (France)
The Garde du corps du roi ( the king's bodyguard ) was initially a slight, later a heavy cavalry unit in the Guard ( Maison militaire du roi ) of the king of France.
History
A precursor of the Garde du Corps was the Guard écossaise, an established Scottish soldiers from Company, which was built by King Charles VII before 1423. The members of this guard were called Archers du corps du roi ( the king's archers ). As an archer, the lightly armed horsemen were at the time referred to, in contrast to the heavy cavalry were the gens d'armes and the cuirassiers ( cavaliers Cuirasses ). Louis XI. added this Guard then added two more companies of French riders. On March 27, 1515 a fourth company was erected by Francis I.. In this era, the French companies were among nominally écossaise the Guard.
These four companies of the so-called from the 16th century Garde du corps (the name Garde was écossaise been displaced over time ) had, however, although belonging to a corps, no connection with each other. The Scottish company has always been driven by a member of the Scottish royal house of Stuart, the French companies by the marshals of France ( Maréchaux de France). In this century, even the conversion of the light horsemen in the heavy cavalry ( cavalerie lourde ) took place.
1664 the companies of the Garde du corps by King Louis XIV, a joint command staff has been assigned. In the same year the senior officers, the practice of selling the vacant posts was prohibited. The cost for the four companies amounted this year to the exorbitant sum for that time of 80,000 livres.
The Garde du corps was disbanded in 1791. A larger number of guardsmen joined thereafter to the troops of the royalist counter-revolution.
Under Louis XVIII. the Garde du corps in 1814 and then was rebuilt to its final dissolution in 1830.
Organization
Initially consisting of only 100 men per company, up to 1,600 men continuously, the workforce grew by 400 men under Francis I of Louis XIV, his successor reduced the stock then 1715 first 1,440 man but then ultimately to 1,500 men ( including the guide rod ) leveled off. Recording condition were noble birth and Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
The decree of January 6, 1737 put the strength of the Corps fixed to 330 riders per company. The company in turn was divided into two " squadrons ", each of which in turn consisted of six " brigades ". Each squadron had twelve brigadiers, twelve sous - brigadiers, six standard-bearer, six trumpeters and a timpanist.
Uniform
The Gardes de corps contributed to the indoor service on foot and on horseback to serve different uniforms. The office staff uniform was kept simple, instead of Kürassierstiefel red stockings and buckled shoes were worn. The color of the skirt was blue, the vest and pants were red. The skirt was cut here like a frock coat and not equipped with wires. The guards were armed with a sting sword and a musket. The blade of the sword was provided with the inscription " Vive le Roy ."
Motto
Up to the time of Louis XIV was the motto of this royal bodyguard " Erit haec quoque cognita monstris "; to German by Alison Saunders: " They, too, will be known the monsters " [ "Elle sera pareillement connue aux monstres " ].
After Leslie Gilbert Pine this slogan is together with the associated coat of arms of Louis XIII. to interpret, which in this ruler a club shows. The Latin " haec " ( this, this, this ) thinks aloud Pine just this club, which - like the two of Hercules - the monsters are already known would, in which case the monsters with heresy and rebellion were meant. Thus, there is again the German translation: "Even they (the club ) will be known to the ( two ) monsters ".
Later, under Louis XIV was the motto of the Cavalry Association " Nec pluribus impar " to German: " not inferior even more ."
Tasks
Together with the penny - Suisses, the Gardes du corps guarded the king within the residences. At night, they replaced the Garde de la porte and took from them the keys and the responsibility for the doors. When traveling the King, as well as in campaigns always kept a watch at the right hand of the sovereign.
Within the Scottish company ( compagnie écossaise ), 24 selected older and more experienced guards were provided with the title Gardes de la some. They constantly escorted the king. Under these Gardes de la some were six more to " Gardes ecossais " determined. These occurred only in unusual events, eg the Corpus Christi procession or at a wedding in the royal house in action.
Privileges
The Garde du corps took in the Guard cavalry first place, before the Gendarmes de la garde and the Chevau - légers de la garde one.
By Exklusivitäte the Corps of access was only allowed people of nobility or financially well-off citizens. Applicants had to reach the size of at least 5 feet / 4 inch ( about 1.70 m). They were allowed to have any physical ailments and had to belong to the Holy Roman Church. Officers' positions could be filled only by aristocrats. The rank of guardsmen in the Garde du corps corresponded to a lieutenant in the Cavalry lines, that of a brigadier of one captain of the line. For carriage only members of the aristocracy were considered.
Quarters
The barracks of the Garde du corps du roi were in Versailles, at the beginning of the Rue de l' Orangerie and the Avenue de Sceaux.