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Most notable medieval mercenaries fell into the 'sergeant' class, such as Flemish crossbowmen and spearmen, who were seen as reliable quality troops. The sergeant class were deemed to be 'worth half of a knight' in military value. The office originated in medieval England to serve the sovereign in a police role, much like a bailiff in more ...
The duty of supporting the king's right arm was still performed at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. Although the first holder of such heritable grand sergeanties was clearly a man well liked and respected by the appointing monarch, and suitable to the role, the character of the tenant's heir in the duty, often involving close personal ...
In medieval European usage, a sergeant was simply any attendant or officer with a protective duty. Any medieval knight or military order of knighthood might have "sergeants-at-arms", meaning servants able to fight if needed.
Though in English the term man-at-arms is a fairly straightforward rendering of the French homme d'armes, [b] in the Middle Ages, there were numerous terms for this type of soldier, referring to the type of arms he would be expected to provide: In France, he might be known as a lance or glaive, while in Germany, Spieß, Helm or Gleve, and in various places, a bascinet. [2]
The High Medieval period also saw the expansion of mercenary forces, unbound to any medieval lord. Routiers , such as Brabançons and Aragones , were supplemented in the later Middle Ages by Swiss pikeman, the German Landsknecht , and the Italian Condottiere - to provide the three best-known examples of these bands of fighting men.
By the 15th century, the sergeants had acquired job titles which included their household office. Some examples are Sergeant of the Spicery, Sergeant of the Saucery, and Sergeant of the Chandlery. [10] The lowest rank of the Household Office was the Groom. First documented in Middle English, it meant a man-child or boy.
Ceremonial maces in the United Kingdom began as lethal weapons of medieval knights in England, Scotland, and Wales, evolving into ceremonial objects carried by sergeants-at-arms. In the United Kingdom , they now represent the monarch's authority in parliaments and councils, and royal maces are borne in procession at the State Opening of ...
Candidates (both servicemen and servicewomen) must have completed at least 22 years of service, attained at least the rank of Sergeant or Petty Officer, and been awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. On appointment, the age required is between 42 and 55. All Yeomen retire at 70 years of age. The corps' size varied slightly over the ...