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 l'Étable had relinquished—such as the government of the stables and studs, and assuming the title of 'écuyer,' 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,[1] '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,[2] was the distinctive sign of a
Charles quickly despatched three officers to check them: these were Adalgiste, Cubiculare or Chamberlain, Gellar, Comte de l'étable, and Worad, Comte du palais; for already the servile functions which belonged 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 l'étable was the origin of 'Constable,' an honourable designation which has been in use for many centuries.
- ↑ Hist. de France, vol. iii. p. 335.
- ↑ 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 sou auferrant Gascon.
La peust on voir maint auferrant d'Espagne.
D'Estriers, auferrant et Gascon.
