First French Company of Life Guards, France 1515

The Life Guard was part of the army of the King’s Military Household, dating from the reign of Louis XII. The Life Guard was formed by selected cavalry officers and served in the immediate vicinity of the King. 

The Life Guards enjoyed privileges and prerogatives which increased their pride in membership of an organisation that would not accept any rank lower than army officer. The figure is that of a First Company Life Guard from 1758, during the reign of Louis XV.