or Gens d'armes, in the French armies, a denomination given to a select body of horse, on account of their succeeding the ancient gendarmes, who were thus called from their being completely clothed in armour.

The king's body-guards, the light horse of the royal house, and the musqueteers, are at present reputed to belong to the gendarmerie.

The grand gendarmes are a troop composed of about 250 gentlemen, who guard the king's person. The king himself is their captain, and one of the prime peers their captain-lieutenant, who has under him two lieutenants, three ensigns, three guidons, and other officers. There are, besides these, gendarmes of the queen, the dauphin, &c.

Vol. II. No. 54.