Traditional Virtues, Feudal Ties and Royal Guards: The Culture of Service in the Eighteenth-Century Maison Militaire du Roi
David C. O'Brien
Recent discussions of French army reform before the Revolution have revived interest in more general topic military culture ancien régime. One account this period speaks an evolution criteria for merit, one which professional efficiency came to overshadow traditional martial virtues, such as fidelity and courage. But a review evidence, both archival published, from Maison militaire du Roi reveals that here, at least, old virtues continued be central until end, serving expressions relationship with king royal grâces were their natural complement. Viewed historically, conception service feudal tradition. The milieu was distinctive encouragement it gave traditions, but function institution pépinière officers potentially wide influence balancing tendencies towards professionalism.
French History|PubMed