Gendarme (historical)

The Gendarmes de la garde were a cavalry unit in the Guard ( Maison militaire du roi ) of the king of France. The members wore a red uniform, badge color was black but does not appear on all uniforms. Hauptmann ( Captain ) of the company has always been the king, the association was commanded by captain - lieutenant.

History

In 1609, the French King Henry IV built a company of cuirassiers, to the bodyguards of the Dauphin ( heir to the throne ), the future Louis XIII. were determined. After his accession to the throne in 1610 decreed that that the company under the name of "Gens d'armes " was to integrate into the royal guard. The 200 riders strong " Gendarmes de la garde " received second place in the Horse Guards assigned, behind the Garde du corps du roi, and before the Chevau - Léger de la garde du roi, as the heavy cavalry ( lourde cavalerie ) the privilege of light before the horsemen had.

As with all units of the Guard cavalry of access to the Gendarmes members of the aristocracy was reserved. Until 1664, it was permitted to the captain lieutenant and the lieutenant to sell the vacant places in the company to the highest bidder applicants. The greatest human strength reached the federation is under Louis XIV up to the reduction to 200 men in 1697 it had grown to about 250 men.

Like all Garden of the King they came also in the general criticism of pre-revolutionary France and were by decree by Louis XVI. released on September 30, 1787.

Tasks

Prerogative of the Guard was to carry forward the king the standards and flags of the Garden until his bedchamber. Left the king his residence for a campaign, attracted the gendarmes with the flags from behind the king.

Since it was also a fighting organization, it in the 18th century, a bar of from the captain - lieutenant in command, three sub - lieutenant ( sous- lieutenants ), cadets ( aspirants ) and cadets ( portes - dreapeaux was assigned, components). The cadets and cadets were among the officers. Furthermore, there was a non-commissioned officer corps with a Sergeant ( sergent ), 10 non-commissioned officers ( caporals ), eight Brigadiers and eight sous - brigadier, and four standard-bearer ( portes d' étendarts ), four field shear ( docteurs du champ ), four trumpeters ( trompettists ) and a timpanist ( timbalist ).

Motto

The motto of the Gendarmes was: " Quo Jubet Iratus Jupiter" ( Jupiter Où furieux ordonne; Where the angry Jupiter commands )