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222 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period ii. 



It is probable, however, thct the fifteen companies con- 

 tained 1,500 lances. Each lance consisted of six men : 

 the man-at-arms, three archers, a coutillicr or squire, 

 and a page or valet. They were all mounted, and made 

 a total of about 9,000 cavalry. There were also usually 

 attached a number of gentlemen volunteers, who served 

 without pay, in the hope, in case of a vacancy occurring, 

 of their being taken on the regular establishment.^ 



The lance foiirnie at this time had 13 horses, the 

 man-at-arms had four, each archer two, the coutillier two, 

 and the page one.^ The staff consisted of a captain, 

 lieutenant, a guidon, an ensign, and a mareschal de logis.^ 

 These officers were chosen as the noblest, the richest, and 

 the most skilful soldiers of the company, which was all 

 composed of gentlemen. 



Discipline was well maintained, and the captains were 

 held responsible for any disorders or offences perpetrated 

 by the men of the companies/ They were kept in gar- 

 rison in the towns, in order that the discipline should be 

 carefully kept up, the men retained under subjection, 

 and that opportunities should be given for drilling and 

 manoeuvring together. 



The troops were not paid directly by the king, al- 

 though absolutely under his orders. The different muni- 

 cipalities were compelled to maintain the troops quar- 

 tered among them ; the cities, towns, villages, and 

 country parishes all furnishing their quota towards the 

 pay and food of the soldiers.^ 



The benefits of this system were immediately felt, and 

 no measure could have been more politic and more 

 popular among the people than this institution of a per- 

 manent defensive force. Confidence at once sprang up 

 among all classes. The authority of the crown became 

 paramount throughout the kingdom, and artizans worked 

 at their trades, and peasants and farmers cultivated their 

 lands, and raised cattle and sheep in security against 

 robbery and outrage.* Except in the neighbourhood of 

 a foreign army in time of war, industry was encouraged, 

 and could depend upon reaping the product of its toil.'' 



' Daniel 104. - Gay de Vernon, 7. '' Humbert, 64. 



* Daniel, i. 155. * Ibid. « Hallam, i. 266. ^ Daniel, i. 155. 



