Cavalier

Quick Facts: Who was Cavalier?

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Cavalier

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A term for Royalist supporters during the English Civil War, evolving from a description of horsemen.

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Origins & Early Life

The term Cavalier () was first used to describe cavalrymen, and later by Roundheads as a term of abuse for the wealthier royalist supporters of Charles I of England and his son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration (1642 – c. 1679). It was later adopted by the Royalists themselves. Although it referred originally to political and social attitudes and behaviour, of which clothing was a very small part, it has subsequently become strongly identified with the fashionable clothing of the court at the time. Prince Rupert, commander of much of Charles I's cavalry, is often considered to be an archetypal Cavalier. Cavalier derives from the same Latin root as the Italian word cavaliere, the French word chevalier, and the Spanish word caballero, the Vulgar Latin word caballarius, meaning 'horseman'.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Shakespeare used the word cavaleros to describe an overbearing swashbuckler or swaggering gallant in Henry IV, Part 2 (c. 1596–1599), in which Robert Shallow says, "I'll drink to Master Bardolph, and to all the cavaleros about London". Shallow returns in The Merry Wives of Windsor (c. 1597), where he is called "Cavaleiro Justice" (knightly judge) and "bully rook", a term meaning "blustering cheat". "Cavalier" is chiefly associated with the Royalist supporters of King Charles I in his struggle with Parliament in the English Civil War. It first appears as a term of reproach and contempt, applied to Charles' followers in June 1642: 1642 (June 10) Propositions of Parlt. in Clarendon v. (1702) I. 504 Several sorts of malignant Men, who were about the King; some whereof, under the name of Cavaliers, without having respect to the Laws of the Land, or any fear either of God or Man, were ready to commit all manner of Outrage and Violence.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

1642 Petition Lords & Com. (1721) I. 631 That your Majesty..would please to dismiss your extraordinary Guards, and the Cavaliers and others of that Quality, who seem to have little Interest or Affection to the publick Good, their Language and Behaviour speaking nothing but Division and War. Charles, in the Answer to the Petition 13 June 1642, speaks of Cavaliers as a "word by what mistake soever it seemes much in disfavour". It was soon reappropriated as a title of honour by the king's party, who in return applied Roundhead to their opponents. At the Restoration, the court party preserved the name, which survived until the rise of the term Tory.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1596: 1596 Milestone — 1596–1599), in which Robert Shallow says, "I'll drink to Master Bardolph, and to all the cavaleros about London".
2. 1597: 1597 Milestone — 1597), where he is called "Cavaleiro Justice" (knightly judge) and "bully rook", a term meaning "blustering cheat".
3. 1642: 1642 Milestone — The term Cavalier () was first used to describe cavalrymen, and later by Roundheads as a term of abuse for the wealthier royalist supporters of Charles I of England and his son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration (1642 – c.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cavalier

True or False: “The term 'Cavalier' was originally used exclusively by the Royalists themselves and never carried pejorative connotations.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Initially, the term was primarily a reproach and contempt applied to Charles I's followers by Parliamentarians.

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• Beatrice Cenci — Historical peer (Died in 1599) (1599): Roman noblewoman whose life ended in a notorious murder trial and enduring legend.
• Ashikaga Yoshiaki — Historical peer (Died in 1597) (1597): The 15th Shogun who struggled to maintain the Ashikaga authority against rising warlords.
• Hattori Hanzō — Historical peer (Died in 1597) (1597): Sengoku era samurai and expert tactician, renowned for service to the Tokugawa clan.

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