or Gen d’armes, in the French armies, a denomination given to a select body of horse, on account of their succeeding the ancient gendarmeries, who were thus called from their being completely clothed in armour; (see Scots Gendarmes, infra.) These troops were commanded by captain-lieutenants, the king and the princes of the blood being their captains; the king’s troop, besides a captain-lieutenant, has two sublieutenants, three ensigns, and three guidons.

Grand Gendarmes, latterly were a troop composed of 250 gentlemen; the king himself was their captain, and one of the first peers their captain-lieutenant, who has under him two lieutenants, three ensigns, three guidons, and other officers.

Small Gendarmes, were the Scots gendarmes, the queen’s, the dauphin’s, the gendarmes of Anjou, Burgundy, the English and Flemish gendarmes, having each a captain-lieutenant, sub-lieutenant, ensign, guiondon, and quarter-master.

Scots Gendarmes, were originally instituted by Charles VII. of France, about the middle of the 5th century, and formed a part of his guard; in which station also they acted under other princes. It was their prerogative to take precedence of all the companies of the gendarmerie of France; and, on particular occasions, they even preceded the two companies of the king’s mousquetaires. The sons of the Scottish monarchs were the usual captains of this company; and, after Mary’s accession to the throne, its command belonged to them as a right. It was thence that James VI. made a claim of it for his son prince Henry. This honour, and its emoluments, were also enjoyed by Charles I. and the next in command to this prince was Louis Stuart duke of Lennox. George Gordon marquis of Huntly succeeded the duke of Lennox in the year 1624, and took the title of captain or commander in chief when Charles I. mounted the English throne. It is not certain whether Charles II. was ever captain of this company; but it was conferred on his brother the duke of York, who was captain of the Scots gendarmes till the year 1667, when he resigned his commission into the hands of the French king. Since that time no native of Great Britain has enjoyed this command. See Scot’s Guards.

All the different gendarmeries are now abolished, in consequence of the reforming systems that have lately taken place in France.