In 1665, both companies of Musketeers were standardized as part of a larger effort to integrate elite troops into the Maison militaire du roi—the King’s Military Household.
Initially part of the King’s personal guard, alongside the bodyguards, gendarmes and light cavalry, the Musketeers became a fully fledged active force from 1665. They fought on the front lines in Louis XIV’s wars, often suffering heavy losses. To reinforce them, the King created an even more fearsome unit in 1676, the horse grenadiers, whose motto “Terror and Death” reflected their brutality.
With this new shock corps taking on the most dangerous assignments, the Musketeers adopted a more educational role, training young aristocrats. After one or two years in the ranks these noblemen quickly advanced to officer posts. The Musketeers remained active through the 18th century and the reign of Louis XV until their sudden disbandment in 1775 as part of the military reforms initiated by the Count of Saint-Germain, Minister of War under the early reign of Louis XVI. The Maison du roi, deemed costly and obsolete, was dismantled, thus leading to the suppression of both Musketeer companies.
The Final Restoration
In 1814, shortly after ascending the throne, Louis XVIII restored the Maison militaire as it had existed under the Ancien Régime. The two Musketeer companies were reestablished but served only a ceremonial function—and even that was short-lived. They did not survive Napoleon’s Hundred Days.
Following the Battle of Waterloo, the King returned to Paris and restructured his household troops, opting for a more modest Royal Guard. The Musketeers were permanently disbanded on 31 December 1815.
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