MADNESS OF KING GEORGE III: equerries and pages

EQUERRIES

The chief duty of the equerries was 'to attend the King on Horseback, and on all public Occasions'. In fact, by the reign of George I, they rode in the lead coach. In addition, equerries of the crown stable were 'to superintend the Saddle and Manage Stables;...and to instruct the Pages of Honor in Horsemanship'. The equerries were appointed by royal warrant.

Equerry originates from the French word "écurie" (stable), and relates to the French word "écuyer" (squire) is an officer of honour. Historically, it was a senior attendant with responsibilities for the horses of a person of rank. In contemporary use, it is a personal attendant, usually upon a Sovereign, a member of a Royal Family, or a national representative. They are equivalent to Aides-de-Camp, but the term is specific to the Commonwealth of Nations.

British equerries are appointed only to senior members of the British Royal Family, and are drawn only from senior officers of the British Armed Forces.

There are now three equerries to the Queen of the United Kingdom, and a larger number of extra equerries - usually retired senior officers with some connection to the Royal Household. The extra equerries are rarely if ever required for duty but are in attendance on the Sovereign on a daily basis. For some years the Queen's senior equerry has also held the position of Deputy Master of the Household.

The Queen's permanent equerry is an officer of major rank or equivalent, recruited from the three services of the British Armed Forces in turn. Many previous equerries have gone on to reach higher rank.

The Queen's temporary equerry is a Captain of the Coldstream Guards, who provides part-time attendance. When not required for duty an equerry has additional regimental or staff duties. Senior members of the British Royal Family each also have one or two equerries.

The Crown Equerry is in charge of the Royal Mews Department and holds a distinct office.

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43905

Memoirs of the life and reign of King George the Third (a google book)

PAGES

In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire. A young boy served as a page for seven years, serving, cleaning, and even learning the basics of combat. The lord he was working for would usually treat him fairly. The lord sometimes gave the page private combat training. From the age of seven (after cutting hair) until he was fourteen. At age fourteen, he could graduate to become a squire.