GLACIS

In Fortification, the sloping of the parapet of the counterscarp or covered way towards the open country. ESQUIRE, Ecuyer, Escudero. (In Latin, anniger.) A well-known title of rank; derived from the Firench ecu, Lat. scutum, a shield. Some suppose that it has its origin from the Scutarii, a sort of soldiery in the Roman armies; others derive it from equus, a horse, and sup i)ose that esquire and equerry denoted orignally the same thing, viz. a groom. But it is generally supposed to have belonged to the shield or armour bearers (arraigeri) attached to the person of knights. This office, in the times of chivalry, was honourable, and generally borne by persons of good family. Hence the term esquire became gradually appropriated, in England, to a rank above the simple gentleman and below the knight. Younger sons of peers (now called Honour ables), their eldest sons, eldest sons of knights, sheriffs of counties, Serjeants at law, justices of the peace, and doctors of divinity, are esquires by virtue of their respective rank or office. Heads of ancient families are considered esquires by prescription; and hence has originated the use of the word, in the present day, as a common addition to the names of all those who live in the rank of gentlemen. The king creates an esquire, by putting round his neck a silver collar oi^ffi to which ceremony was formerly added the putting on of a pair of silver spurs. [s. 431]