Fr. Hist. Pl. franc(s-archers. [Fr.; franc free (see FRANK a.) + archer archer.] One of a body of archers established by Charles VII., one man being equipped by each parish, and exempted from taxes in consideration of his service.
1675. trans. Machiavelli’s Prince (Rtldg., 1883). 293–4. In every parish in France there is a person called a frank archer, who is paid by the parish, and is obliged to be always ready with a good horse and arms to wait upon the king.
1852. Miss Yonge, Cameos (1877), III. ii. 92. Marching all night, he surprised the franc-archers and their leader, the Sire de Ronault, who were lodged in the Abbey.
1885. Plummer, in Fortescue’s Abs. & Lim. Mon., 197. In place of the francs-archers, abolished by Louis XI after the battle of Guinegate in 1479, there was a permanent force of infantry consisting of 25,000 men.
