It was originally created as a military cavalry by the King in medieval times to patrol the highways and protect travelers from robbers and assassins. But, according to the author, it has not played as major a role in the development of the law enforcement of the modern state as has been suggested by some scholars; it may have the same organization, but not the same spirit. The article traces the historical development of the constabulary and relates it to the modern French gendarmerie in goals and responsibilities. 8 notes and 12 references