Maréchaussée

The Maréchaussée (French for 'Marshalcy') were corps of soldiers in the armies of France initially put in charge of military policing and justice during the Middle Ages, and later extended to civilian responsibilities. They gradually coalesced into a police force with jurisdiction over the whole population on almost the entire territory of France. They retained powers of extraordinary justice (known as prévôtale) until the French Revolution.

Reforms carried out in the 18th century created the first national police force. In 1791, the force was renamed the Gendarmerie nationale (National Gendarmerie). It is now one of the two national police forces of France, along with the National Police.