The present state of France containing a general description of that kingdom corrected and purged from the many gross mistakes in the French copy, enriched with additional observations and remarks of the new compiler, and digested into a method conformable to that of the state of England / by R.W. ...

CHAP. XXXVII.

Of the Constablrie, and Marshalsy of France.

THE Constable and Marshals of France, are the Head and Chief Officers that preside in this Court. It is the Ordinary Court of Justice for the Militia, or Souldiery, both in Civil, Politick, and Criminal matters; and is the sole and universal one for those matters throughout the whole extent of the Kingdom. Their Sentences, from whence Ap∣peals may be made to the Parliament, run in this stile: The Constables and Marshals of France, to all those who shall see these present Letters, greet∣ing, &c. Though at present there be no Constable, because the eldest Marshal of France represents him, making together, with the other Marshals, but one Body, of which he is Head. When the Marshals of France Assemble about any differences between any of the Nobility, a person taken out of his Ma∣jesties Council, and chosen by his Majesty, out of those that are proposed to him for that purpose, by the Marshals of France, who is commonly, either a Councellour of State, or a Master of Requests, assists, together with the eldest Marshal of France, then at Paris, at all Assemblies that are held about the point of honour, and makes report of all Af∣fairs that pass there. He that are present offici∣ates

that office, is M. L' Advocat, Master of Re∣quests.

The Constabirie has power to take cognisance of the Admission and Functions of the Offices of all Provosts, whether general, provincial, or particu∣lar, and of Bayliffs, Vice-Bayliffs, Vice-Seneschals, Lieutenants, Criminal of the Short-Robe, Knights of the Watch, and their Lieutenants, Assessours, Kings Proctors, Commissaries, and Comptrollers for the Musters, Treasurers of the Pay, Receivers, Payers, and Registrers of the several Companies, in what part of the Kingdom soever they be estab∣lished. It likewise Judges of all Faults, Abuses, and Misdemeanours, committed by any of the Offi∣cers of the War, Souldiery, or Marshalfies. The Officers of the Long-Robe, belonging to this Court, are a Lieutenant-General, a Lieutenant particular, and a Proctor for the King.

These three Officers, besides the Priviledges which they enjoy, as being esteemed Commoners of the Kings Houshold, are Squires by their Places.

There are several Ushers belonging to this Court, whereof four are always to attend actually up∣on it.

Of the Provost of the Constablrie.

The present Provost is, M. Stephen Germain, Sieur de St. Germain, who is stiled, Provost-General of the Constablrie, and Marshalsy of France, and Judge of the Camps and Armies of the King, he is like∣wise called, the Grand Provost of the Constablrie. He has 2800 Livers, or Pounds, French, yearly Sa∣lary, and his Lodging among the Retinue of the Court; and in the Camps and Armies, he is lodged immediately next after the Marshal, or Quarter-Master-General of the Lodgings of the Army. He names and presents to the King, all the Officers and Guards of his Company, who upon his Nominati∣on,

obtain Grants of their several Places in the Chancery. He has priviledge to assist at the Exa∣minations, Admissions, and swearing of the Pro∣vosts of the Marshals of Provinces, and of Vice-Bayliffs, Vice-Seneschals, and Lieutenants Criminal of the Short-Robe of the Marshalsy, and in general, of all Officers of the Marshalsy of France, with the Priviledge of having a deliberative Voice, and a power of Inspection over them. He Commands the Marshalsies, when they are called together, as when the Kings calls a Ban, and Arriere Ban, that is, Summons the whole Body of the Nobility to appear in Arms. He is to take care, all Military Ordinan∣ces be observed, and takes cognisance of all Causes belonging to Provostships, and others left to Extra∣ordinary Judges. He is supreme Judge, without Appeal, in all matters, whether Civil, Crimi∣nal, or Political, in the Camps and Armies, where he sets a price upon Provisions, and gives Pass-Ports to Merchants, Furnishers of Munition, Trades∣men and others following the Armies. He has un∣der him these following Officers, viz.

Three ancient Lieutenants, whereof one is to be of the Long-Robe, who have each of them 800 Li∣vers yearly Salary; two Lieutenants of later Crea∣tion, whereof one has 500, and the other 600 Li∣vers yearly Salary.

One Proctor for the King, at 1200 Livers Salary; He has power to substitute Deputies under him in other Marshalsies, where there is no Proctor for the King: Four Exemts, who have 200 Livers Salary each, one Register, at 300 Livers, and 48 Guards, reckoning in the Trumpeter, at 200 Livers each yearly Stipend.

To this Company belong a Commissary for the Musters, whose Salary is 600 Livers, and a Comp∣troller for the same, at 300 Livers yearly stipend. When they are in the Army, these Officers have Extraordinary allowances over and above their

standing Pay, viz. The Lieutenant 150 Livers, the Kings Proctor 100 Livers, the Exempts 60 Livers apiece, the Registrer 60 Livers, and the Guards, 25 Livers each.

When there are several Armies in the Field, the Grand Provost of the Constablrie, serves in the Army Royal, or principal Army, and his Lieute∣nants in the other Armies.

The Sword-Officers of this Company, Mount the Guard, and do service about the person of the eld∣est Marshal of France, as Representing the Consta∣ble. They are appointed for the Guard, and keeping in Custody, persons of Quality, Gentlemen and Officers, that have quarrels one with another; And the Provost of the Constablry assists with the eldest Marshal of France, at all Assemblies held up∣on occasion of such quarrels.

The Guards wear Hoquetons, or Short-Coats, wrought with Massie-Silver upon a blue ground; and for their Device, the first Letter of the Kings Name being a Crowned L between two Right Hands, Armed with Gantlets set with Flower-deluces coming out of a Cloud, and holding each a naked Sword, with the point upwards, with these words about it, Non sine Numine, i. e. not without a Deity, or Divine Power, which kind of Sword is called the Sword of the Constablrie.

These Officers are of the Body of the Gend'ar∣merie, or Men at Arms, and have been hitherto maintain'd in the quality and priviledges of Com∣moners of the Kings Houshold: The last Letters to this effect, bear date the 22d of February, 1653.

There are also belonging to this Court and Com∣pany, one Chief Assessour, and one Chief Usher to serve Warrants and Orders, who have each 300 Livers yearly Salary.

There is likewise a Provost-General of the Mo∣nies or Mint, and Marshalsies of France, named Augustin-Nicholas Langlois; who has under him,

several Lieutenants, and Exempts, one Registrer, and 60 Archers, or Guards, who have power to serve and execute Orders and Warrants.

The Provost-General of the Isle of France, is Francis de Francini de Grand' Maisons; He has under him, four Lieutenants, eight Exempts, one Registrer, and ten Guards called Archers, on Horseback, divided into six Brigades, all about the Neighbourhood of Paris, for the security of the Country.

The Provost of Senlis, is Nicholas Bordereau.