GUARDS, also imply the troops kept to guard the king's person, and consist both of horse and foot.
Horse Guards, in England, are gentlemen chosen for their bravery, to be entrusted with the guard of the king's person; and were divided into four troops, called the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th troop of horse guards. The first troop was raised in the year 1660, and the command given to lord Gerard; the second in 1661, and the command given to Sir Philip Howard; the third in 1693, and the command given to earl Feverham; the fourth in 1792, and the command given to earl Newburgh. Each troop had one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, one cornet and major, one guidon
and major, four exempts and captains, four brigadiers and lieutenants, one adjutant, four sub-brigadiers and cornets, and 60 private men. But the four troops are now turned into two regiments of life-guards.