CONSTABLE, Lord High Constable, an ancient officer of the crowns both of England and France, whose authority was so very extensive, that the office has been laid aside in both kingdoms, except upon particular occasions,
casions, such as the king's coronation. The constable of France had his person privileged, and, during the king's minority, was named next to the princes of the blood. The army obeyed him next the king: he managed all that belonged to war, either for punishment of delinquents, distribution of booty, surrender of places, &c. The jurisdiction and functions of this office are now in the marshals of France.
The function of the constable of England consisted in the care of the common peace of the land, in deeds of arms and matters of war. By a law of Richard II. the constable of England has the determination of things concerning wars and blazonry of arms, which cannot be discussed by the common law. The first constable was created by the Conqueror: the office continued hereditary till the thirteenth of Henry VIII. when it was laid aside, as being so powerful as to become troublesome to the king. We have also constables denominated from particular places, as constable of the Tower, of Dover castle, of Windsor castle, of the castle of Caernarvon, and many other of the castles of Wales, whose office is the same with that of the castellani, or governors of castles.