The
Constable of France (, from
Latin comes stabuli for '
count of the stables'), as the First Officer of the Crown, was one of the original five
Great Officers of the Crown of France (along with
seneschal,
chamberlain,
butler, and
chancellor) and
Commander in Chief of the army. He, theoretically, as
Lieutenant-general of the King, outranked all the nobles and was second-in-command only to the
King. He was also responsible for military justice and served to regulate the
Chivalry. His jurisdiction was called the
connestablie. The office was established by King
Philip I in 1060 with Alberic becoming the first Constable. The office was abolished in 1627 in accordance with the Edict of January 1627 by
Cardinal Richelieu, upon the death of
François de Bonne, duc de Lesdiguières, after his conversion from
Protestantism to
Catholicism in 1622. The position was replaced by the Dean of Marshals (
Doyen des maréchaux), in reality the most senior
Marshal of France in a strictly ceremonial role. A few constables died in battle or were executed for treason, mostly for political intrigue.
Badge of Office
The badge of office was a highly elaborate sword called the 'Royal Sword' (Fr.
de Charlemagne) surnamed 'Joyous'. This sword dated from the 14th century and was contained in a blue scabbard embellished with
fleur-de-lis in column from hilt to point. Traditionally, the constable was presented with the sword on taking his office.p172, Slater, Stephen,
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