Obs. exc. Hist. [f. CAMP sb.2] The term used in 16–17th c. to render Sp. maestre de campo, It. maestro di campo, and F. maistre de camp, a staff-officer of the army in these countries: also put for the L. præfectus castrorum. Camp-master-general, a field-marshal.
In France, the staff-officers of infantry regiments at their institution in 1558 consisted of a colonel-general, a mestre de camp, and a sergeant-major; the mestre de camp subsequently became colonel of the regiment; in the cavalry the title of maître de camp was retained by the commander of the regiment, Sir D. Scott, Brit. Army (1868), II. 382.
a. 1569. Kingesmyll, Conf. Satan (1578), 21. So wicked that you might be a Campmaster, a General amongst them.
1581. Savile, Tacitus’ Hist., II. xxvi. (1591), 68. Iulius Gratus the Camp-master [præfectus castrorum] was put in prison.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, Gloss. 249. Campe-maister, in Spanish Maestro del Campo, is a Colonell: being the chiefe Commander or officer ouer one Regiment. Ibid., Camp maister Generall, in Spanish, Maestre del Campo Generall, is a great Commander, and is with vs the high Marshall of the field.
1670. Cotton, Espernon, I. I. 2. He was made Camp-Master to the Light Horse of France.
1693. Paris Rel. Batt. Landen, 4. The Regiment of the Camp-Master-General.
