Squire

A knight and his squire.

A squire was the shield bearer or armour bearer of a knight, and at times was a knight's servant.

Use of the term has changed over time. In the Middle Ages, a squire was the apprentice of a knight. Later it meant a leader in an English village or Lord of the manor might be called a squire. Later still it was used for key public figures such as Justice of the Peace or Member of Parliament. In modern American usage a squire is the title given to a Justice of the Peace or similar local official. Squire is a shortened version of the word Esquire.

Squire Media

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  Wolfram von Eschenbach and his squire (Codex Manesse, 14th century)

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  A squire cleaning armour

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  A squire helping his knight, in a historical reenactment in 2009

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  A squire holds the warhorse of his knight, detail from monument to Sir Richard Stapledon (d.1326), Exeter Cathedral.