In medieval 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 ''squire'' comes from the Old French ''escuier'', itself derived from the Vulgar Latin ''scutarius'' - "shield bearer." The classical usage is ''armiger''.
{| class="toccolours"
|- border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"
!Language
!Title
|-
|Dutch language
|schildknapp, jonker
|-
|French language
|écuyer
|-
|German language
|Knappe, Junker
|-
|Greek language
|πυργοδεσπώτης
|-
|Latin
|scutarius, armiger
|}
==Present status (England)==
In an England village in 19th century, 20th century, and possibly 21st century the squire is a man who through example leads a village rather like the head-boy at a public school. The squire more often than not lives at the village manor house, and owns an estate in the village. If the squire was patron of the parish church—and he often was—he would choose the vicar.
The position of squire is today totally dependant on good manners and breeding (wealth, while helpful, is not a requisite of the job). The position cannot be bought, but is given by the community. Today it is anachronistic, but in some communities it remains in use.
The term ''Esquire'' comes from squire, and can be used in place of 'Mr.' when addressing an English landowner, e.g Frederick Bloggs Esq. rather than Mr. F Bloggs. To use the term when referring to oneself is an affectation.
In the 21st century the whole idea of squire and esquire is rather confused and the term and position will probably not survive the century.
==Squires in English literature==
Perhaps the most famous squire among English language-speaking peoples is 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.
== See also ==
* page (servant)
Titles
What about squires on the continent? What did they call them in France? Germany? Italy? They had them there, didn't they -- or something like them? --User:69.245.192.52 20:25, 18 Mar 2005 (UTC) :Yes: the apprentice of a knight would be called a ''Knappe'' in High German or ''schildknaap'' in Dutch - related to the English "knave"; the later use is equivalent to the (in)famous ''Junker'' (''jonker'' in Dutch). --User:MWAK 12:31, 19 May 2005 (UTC)
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
Words begining with Squire:
Squire
Squire
Squires
Squire_Bancroft
Squire
In medieval 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 ''squire'' comes from the Old French ''escuier'', itself derived from the Vulgar Latin ''scutarius'' - "shield bearer." The classical usage is ''armiger''.
Squire
What about squires on the continent? What did they call them in France? Germany? Italy? They had them there, didn't they -- or something like them? --User:69.245.192.52 20:25, 18 Mar 2005 (UTC) :Yes: the apprentice of a knight would be called a ''Knappe'' in High German or ''schildknaap'' in Dutch - related to the English "knave"; the later use is equivalent to the (in)famous ''Junker'' (''jonker'' in Dutch). --User:MWAK 12:31, 19 May 2005 (UTC)
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
S
SB | SC | SD | SE | SF | SG | SH | SI | SJ | SK | SL | SM | SN | SO | SP | SR | SS | ST | SU | SW | SX | SY | SZ |Words begining with Squire:
Squire
Squire
Squires
Squire_Bancroft
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