Blois, France

June, 1503

Birds sang pleasantly outside the window of the King’s solar, itself a well-appointed room with ornate woodwork and polished tile. For a few moments, there was little other noise. It was something of an interesting gathering arrayed around the room-- the King, of course, sat behind his desk. Opposite him sat Robert Stuart d’Aubigny, son-in-law of Bérault Stuart d’Aubigny, commander of the Garde Ecossaise; Jacques de Crussol, captain of the “Gentilshommes au Bec de Corbin”; and Gabriel de la Châtre, captain of the second company of the “Petits Gardes” established by his predecessor, Louis XI.

Together the three outfits formed a motley collection of guards for the King and his household. The Garde Ecossaise performed their duties admirably, and all three outfits had served to protect their King from the stratioti sent by Ludovico Sforza to capture or kill him.

The fighting, however, left their ranks depleted and Louis had little intention of returning to Italy with a depleted guard. He had summoned the three captains-- d’Aubigny, Crussol, and de la Châtre-- to discuss expanding the Garde du Corps du Roi.

After some time, a general plan for the reform of the Garde du Corps du Roi had been established. The Gentilshommes au Bec de Corbin would be reformed from the light cavalry outfit they were at present to a heavy cavalry outfit, to be trained and equipped as such. They would, when on foot, still be permitted to carry their famous curved ax. Their number would now be set, as with the Garde Ecossaise, at 100 men. Officially, they would become known as the Deuxième Compagnie de la Garde du Corps du Roi.

Similar changes would be visited upon de la Châtre’s outfit. His company would remain light cavalry, their number would be increased and set to 100, and they would be known officially as the Troisième Compagnie de la garde du Corps du Roi.

These three companies, totalling 300 bodyguards, would be joined by the famous Cent-Suisses in the field, leading to a grand total of 400 bodyguards at the maximum.

His Majesty had resolved not to be caught in such a hazardous situation as he had been in early 1502 again-- were Sforza or some other bad actor to make the same effort, they would be met with a larger, better organized, and more powerful personal guard.

Changes were also to be made in the behaviors of the Garde Ecossaise. The “Gardes de la Manche”, members of the Garde Ecossaise who guarded the King’s person-- so named because they were posted on either side of the King at all hours-- would be expanded from twenty-four men to thirty-six, and two men would be assigned to the Dauphin on the same basis.

Recruitment standards would be drafted and enforced on all future recruits to the Garde du Corps du Roi. Recruits must be of unimpeachable moral character, good Catholics. They had to be of a stout physical build, tall and broad-shouldered. They would have to be born in France proper, and able to prove as much-- though, naturally, Scotsmen who served in the French army would also be considered given the longstanding partnership between the two countries and the leal service of Scots to the Kings of France. There would be a minimum wealth requirement, though the King reserved the right to waive such a requirement for men of exceptional skill or character.

With this reorganization, it was felt, the Garde du Corps du Roi would be a stronger, better equipped, and larger body that would more easily fight off such a craven attack as that launched by le Maure. By the end of the day the order would be given, and the work to expand the Garde du Corps would begin in advance of the King's return to Lyon, where he might more readily receive word from Italy.