Garde du corps du roi
| Garde-du-Corps | |
|---|---|
Standard of the 1st Company Gardes-du-Corps
|
|
| Founded | 1423 |
| Disbanded | 1830 |
| Country |
 Kingdom of France Kingdom of France
|
| Part of | Maison militaire du roi de France |
| Motto(s) |
Latin: Erit haec quoque cognita monstris Latin: Nec pluribus impar |
| Engagements | |
| 1st Company | |
|---|---|
|
Standard of the 1st Company of the Gardes-du-Corps du Roi
|
|
| Founded | 1440 Established by Charles VII |
| Disbanded | 11 August 1830 July Revolution |
| Part of | Garde-du-Corps du Roi |
| Nickname(s) | Garde Écossaise |
| Colors | White and Gold |
| 2nd Company | |
|---|---|
Standard of the 2nd Company of the Gardes-du-Corps du Roi
|
|
| Founded | 4 September 1474 Established by Louis XI |
| Disbanded | 11 August 1830 July Revolution |
| Part of | Garde-du-Corps du Roi |
| Garrison/HQ | Coulommiers |
| Nickname(s) | Gentlemen with the Beak of Corbin Hundred Spears 1st French Company |
| Colors | Green and Gold |
| 3rd Company | |
|---|---|
Standard of the 3rd Company of the Gardes-du-Corps du Roi
|
|
| Founded | 1479 Established by Louis XI |
| Disbanded | 11 August 1830 July Revolution |
| Part of | Garde-du-Corps du Roi |
| Nickname(s) | 2nd French Company |
| Colors | Blue and Gold |
| 4th Company | |
|---|---|
Standard of the 4th Company of the Gardes-du-Corps du Roi
|
|
| Founded | 1516 Established by Francis I |
| Disbanded | 11 August 1830 July Revolution |
| Part of | Garde-du-Corps du Roi |
| Garrison/HQ | Dreux |
| Nickname(s) | 3rd French Company |
| Colors | Gold |
War of the Austrian Succession
The Garde du Corps (French pronunciation: [ɡaʁd dy kɔʁ], Bodyguard) was the senior formation of the King of France's Household Cavalry within the Maison militaire du roi de France.
The oldest unit in the Garde du Corps was the Company of Scottish Archers, later just the 1st Scottish Company or Garde Écossaise, formed in 1419 from Scots that fought for the French during Hundred Years' War. This unit was created at an uncertain date between 1423 and 1448. Subsequently, two further French companies were raised. A final company was established on 17 March 1515. Each of the four companies initially numbered less than a hundred men.
In the Battle of Fornovo during the Italian Wars the Garde du Corps saved king Charles VIII from being captured by enemy forces. Later in the Italian Wars they failed to save Francis I from being captured in the Battle of Pavia.
The last time the Garde du Corps campaigned was during the War of the Austrian Succession because it only went on campaign when the king was present. The last battle in which the Garde du Corps was present was Lauffeld on 1 July 1747.
In contrast to other units of the Royal Household such as the French Guards and the Swiss Guards, the Garde du Corps was an exclusively aristocratic corps. Even the rank and file were drawn from families with appropriate social backgrounds. As such they were noted for their courtly manners but less so for their professionalism and military skills.
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Wikipedia