A constable was an officer of high rank in several of the mediaeval monarchies. Among the Franks, after the major domus, or mayor of the palace, had become king, the comes stabuli became the first dignitary of the crown, commander-in-chief of the armies, and highest judge in military affairs. The connetable, however, acquired so much power that Louis XIII in 1627 abolished the office entirely. Napoleon re-established it, but it vanished with his downfall.
In England the office of lord high constable was created by William the Conqueror, and became hereditary in two different families, as annexed to the earldom of Hereford. Since the attainder of Stafford, however, in 1521, lord high constables have been appointed only to officiate on special occasions. The office of lord high constable of Scotland, expressly reserved in the treaty of union, is hereditary in the noble family of Erroll.
In the common modern acceptation of the term constables are police officers in towns, counties, etc, having as their duties the repression of felonies, the keeping of the peace, the execution of legal warrants, etc. Research Constable
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