Now Hist. [Abbrev. of trained band: see TRAINED ppl. a. 2.] A trained company of citizen soldiery, organized in London and other parts in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Also occas. applied to similar forces in other countries, e.g., the French arrière-ban.
1630. R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 28. In a hard battell there would appeare a great deale of difference betwixt an old beaten souldier … and a man of our traine bands of London.
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I., 19. The Country Captains of the Train-bands were … very unskilfull and rude in the use of their Armes.
1670. Cotton, Espernon, I. II. 56. He commanded that in every Province, the Nobility, and Train-Bands should be ready to march.
1732. Pope, Ep. Bathurst, 214. To town he comes,… And heads the bold Train-bands.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 593. The trainbands of Wiltshire had mustered.
1851. Hawthorne, Grandfather’s Chair, I. iii. Whenever a trainband of Salem was mustered.
b. attrib.
1664. D. Fleming, in Extr. S. P. rel. Friends, II. (1911), 191. The Judges … were met … by all the Trainband horse of this county.
1674. Dean Grenville, in Surtees Misc. (1858), 155. His Majestie hath a notorious Sott to his trainband captain.
1782. Cowper, Gilpin, i. A train-band captain eke was he Of famous London town.
1881. Besant & Rice, Chapl. of Fleet, I. iii. The train-band lieutenant … came swaggering to the inn.
Hence † Trainbanding (Obs. nonce-wd.), raising of, or serving in, a trainband.
1711. E. Ward, Vulgus Brit., VIII. 95. Watching, Warding, and Trainbanding, Tho’ Customs of an ancient Standing.
