Cavalier (/kvlr/) was a name first used by Roundheads as a term of abuse for the

wealthier male Royalist supporters of King Charles I and his son Charles II of England
during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration (1642 c. 1679). It was
later adopted by the Royalists themselves. Although it originally related 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.[1]

Contents
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1 Etymology
o 1.1 English Civil War

2 Social perceptions

3 Mascot uses

4 Cavaliers in the arts

5 Notes

6 References

7 Further reading

Etymology[edit]
Cavalier derives from the same Latin root as the French word chevalier (as well as the
Spanish word caballero), the Vulgar Latin word caballarius, meaning "horseman".
Shakespeare used the word cavaleros to describe an overbearing swashbuckler or
swaggering gallant in Henry IV, Part 2, in which Shallow says "I'll drink to Master
Bardolph, and to all the cavaleros about London."[2]

English Civil War[edit]

An engraving depicting Charles I and his adherents.

"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 the followers of King Charles I 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. 1642 Petition Lords & Com. 17 June
in Rushw. Coll. III. (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.[2]
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".[3] It was soon reappropriated (as a title of
honour) by the king's party, who in return applied Roundhead to their opponents, and at the
Restoration the court party preserved the name, which survived till the rise of the term
Tory.[3]