v16_1152 - Mousquetaires du roi Jeton des “Mousquetaires noirs” n.d.

Muskeeters of the King

Originally equipped with a carabiner, the musketeers were part of the king's cavalry and "Outside Guard". The musketeers served on foot and on horseback but did not enter the royal apartments, which allowed them to wear large boots. The first company was created in 1622 by Louis XIII while Richelieu also surrounded himself with musketeers who, from 1663, formed the second company or "Cardinal's Guards". Between 100 and 300, the musketeers passed under Louis XIV in the King's House. The king was captain of the two companies which took part courageously in the various wars of the 17th century, in particular in Valenciennes in 1667. Reformed in 1775, they were restored in 1814 then disappeared definitively at the Restoration.