CHIVALRY. 163 



horses not unfrequently bore this honourable distinction, 

 and when the era of chivalry developed itself from the 

 usages of the feudal system, we find him on a different 

 footing, and uniting with his handicraft those functions 

 which the Comte de I'Etable had relinquished — such as 

 the government of the stables and studs, and assuming 

 the title of ' ecuyer,' or officer of the feudal lord to whom 

 he was attached. This shows a return to the Celtic 

 customs, and testifies that the Roman and barbarian 

 usages were rapidly disappearing. 



' In so far as it was a military institution,' writes M. 

 Martin,' ' chivalry descended in a direct line from the 

 Celtic customs. The fashion of receiving young men 

 among the warriors fell into disuse with the Gallo- 

 Romans, but was preserved among the purely Celtic 

 people. Feudality revived it, and gave it the significant 

 title of " chivalry," which indicated that the possession of 

 a war-horse — of a destrier,'' was the distinctive sign of a 



Charles quickly despatched three officers to check them : these were 

 Adalgiste, Cuhlculare or Chamberlain, Cellar, Cumte de Vetable, and 

 Worad, Comte du palais; for already the servile functions which be- 

 longed even to the person of the monarch, were regarded as honourable 

 distinctions and gave a title to commanders of armies.' — Eginhard. 

 Annales, p. 205. This Comte de IV'table was the origin of 'Consta- 

 ble,' an honourable designation which has been in use for many centuries. 



' Hist, de France, vol. iii. p. 2)3S- 



" Destrier was the name given to a war-horse, which was also the 

 Latin destrarius, or dextrarius, of the middle ages ; derived, we are told, 

 from dextra, because the horsemen handled their steeds only with the 

 right hand ; or more likely because the war-horse was led by a groom 

 or squire until required for battle. The Troubadours often mention it : 



Chacuns d'eux broche son auferrant Gascon. 



La peust on voir maint auferrant d'Espagne. 



D'Es triers, auferrant et Gascon. 



II* 



