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SQUIRE
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In feudal times a squire was a man-at-arms in the service of a knight, often as his apprentice.
Squire in various European languages
The English word squire comes from the Old French escuier (modern French écuyer), itself derived from the Late Latin scutarius - "shield bearer." The Classical Latin equivalent was armiger 'arms bearer'.
A squire was originally a young man who aspired to the rank of knighthood and who, as part of his development to that end, served an existing knight as his attendant or shield carrier (hence the name). However, during the middle ages the rank of esquire came to be recognized in its own right and, once knighthood ceased to be conferred by any but the monarch, it was no longer to be assumed that any esquire would in due course progress to be a knight. The connection between a squire and any particular knight also ceased to exist, as did any shield carrying duties.
An Esquire or Squire then became nothing more than the holder of a certain social rank or status.
Present status (England)
In an English village since the 17th century and possibly to this day, the squire was the person of pre-eminent social position in the community by virtue of being the principal landowner. Squires were gentleman with a coat of arms and were usually related to peerage families. Many could claim descent from knights and had been settled in their estates for hundreds of years. The squire more often than not lived at the village manor house, and owned an estate in or comprising the village with the villagers being his tenants. If the squire owned the living (was patron) of the parish church—and he often was— he would choose the rector which role might often be filled by a younger son of the squire. Some squires also became the local rector themselves and were known as squarsons - a combination of the words squire and parson. The squire would also have performed a number of important local duties in particular that of justice of the peace or MP. Politically, during the 19th century squires tended to be conservative or tory whereas the greatest landlords tended to be liberals.
The position of squire was never formally conferred or held: it depended and depends solely upon acceptance as such by the local population, but traditionally occupation of the manor house would itself confer the dignity of squire. Acceptance is today likely to be dependent more upon a recognition of good manners, lineage and long family association than upon acreage, which, while relevant, is nowadays likely to be considerably smaller than in former years due to high post-war death duties and the prohibitive costs associated with maintaining large country houses which forced many squires to break up and sell their estates. The position is today anachronistic, but in many communities where the family remains in occupation of the manor house, the tradition continues.
The term Esquire comes from squire, and can be used in place of 'Mr.' when addressing any person to whom social respect is being afforded. Traditionally, it was a senior title to that of "Mr." but this distinction is no longer recognised in England and both are used more or less indiscriminately. To use the term when referring to oneself, however, would be considered an affectation.
In the United States, attorneys of both genders often style themselves "Esq."
Squires in literature
The most famous squire in world literature is probably the babbling Sancho Panza. In English literature, people usually remember Squire Trelawney. Trelawney, one of the many literary creations of Robert Louis Stevenson, is a Scots squire who protects young Jim Hawkins from the murderous pirates who are seeking his treasure map, and helps him engage a crew to sail to Treasure Island. Another Squire in literature is Squire Hamlley in Elizabeth Gaskells; Wives and Daughters, play beautifully by Michael Gambon ( BAFTA winner best actor ) in a famous BBC adaption.
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