intend their extensive stables in various parts of Normandy, but particularly at Rouen and Caen. This office sometimes became hereditary, and frequently gave a title of nobility to families—among these may be mentioned the 'Maréchal de Venoix.' To the fief of Venoix, near Caen, was attached the duty of managing the stables of the Duke of Normandy, and everything relating to them: as the gathering of the forage from the fine prairies of Caen, Venoix, and Louvigny, for the use of the Duke's horses. Through holding this office, the owner of the fief was designated 'Marechal de Venoix,' or 'Marechal of the Prairie.'[1]
Among the noble families of France who derived their origin from this Norman source, we find Laferrière and Ferrière; and these yet bear on their scutcheon eight horseshoes.[2] The King of France, as also the nobles, his vassals, had among his officers a maréchal, who, under the 'connétable,' officiated as master of the horse, superintendent of the shoers, and as veterinary surgeon. Father Anselmo,[3] speaking of the duties of the constable, gives an example: 'The king pays to the cavaliers the value of the horses they have lost in war, and for all those killed or disabled on service; the constable ought to value, through his maréchal, the war-horses belonging to him and his companions and all the people of his hotel, and such price as the maréchal may fix, the king should allow.'
The first French maréchal to the king who commenced to elevate the dignity of his office in a military
