(from the French efcu, and the Latin fcutum, in Greeks exwv, which signifies a hide, of which shields were anciently made, and afterwards covered; for, in the time of the Anglo-Saxons, the shields had a covering of leather), was originally he who, attending a knight in time of war, did carry his shield; whence it is called efquier in French, and fcutifer, or armiger, i.e. armour-bearer, in Latin. Hotomans says, that thofe whom the French call efquires, were a military kind of vaffals, having jus fenti, viz. liberty to bear a shield, and in it the enfligns of their family, in token of their gentility or dignity. But this addition hath not of long time had any relation to the office or employment of the perfon to whom it hath been attributed, as to carrying of arms, &c. but hath been merely a title of dignity, and next in degree to a knight. For thofe to whom this title is now due, fee the article Commonalty. Officers of the king's courts, and of the king's houlehold, counsellors at law, juftices of the peace, are only efquires in reputation; and he who is a juftice of peace has this title only during the time he is in commission, and no longer, if he is not otherwise qualified to bear. A sheriff of a county being a superior officer, bears the title of efquire during his life; in refpect of the great truft he has in the commonwealth. The chiefs of fome ancient families are efquires by precription; and in late acts of parliament for poll money, many wealthy perfon commonly reputed to be fuch, were ranked among the efquires of this kingdom.

There is a general opinion, that every gentleman of landed property who has 300l. a-year, is an efquire; which is a vulgar error: for no money whatfoever, or landed property, will give a man properly this title, unlefs he comes within one of the above rules: and no perfon can aferibe this title where it is not due, unlefs he pleafes; there being no difficulty in drawing the line by the accounts given above and in the article Commonalty: but the meaner ranks of people, who know no better, do often baflly profitute this title; and, to the great conflation of all rank and precedence, every man who makes a decent appearance, far from thinking himfelf any way ridiculed by finding the supercipration of his letters thus decorated, is fully gratified by such an addrefs.

Esquires of the king, are fuch as have that title by creation, wherein there is fome formality ufed, as the putting about their necks a collar of SS. and bestowing on them a pair of silver fpurs, &c.