Musketeer

A musketeer was a French knight particularly associated with the reign of Louis XIII, for whom they were personal guard. He called them "the noblest breed of soldier in all of France". Cardinal Richelieu, who had his own, rival band of personal guards, called them "a noble breed of layabouts and gigolos". The Cardinal went on to complain that the musketeers were openly brawling in the streets, in defiance of the king's ban against duelling.

Known musketeers included Delmarre and François Rouffet. (AUDIO: The Church and the Crown)