Troops of Horse Guards

In the British Army, the Horse Guards comprised several independent troops raised initially on the three different establishments.

In the late 1660s, there were thus three troops in England, one in Ireland, and two in Scotland of which one was ceremonial for attendance of Lord High Commissioner (named after John Middleton, 1st Earl of Middleton and after John Leslie, 7th Earl of Rothes).

Originally, as befitted their role as bodyguards to the Sovereign, the ranks of these Troops were filled by members of the gentry.

[3] Although this no longer obtains, the non-commissioned officers of their successor regiment, the Life Guards, are still grades of Corporal, rather than sergeants.

Raised on the Scottish Establishment for attendance on the Lord High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland.