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major (de la Bastille)

English translation: major

15:02 Mar 9, 2016
French to English translations [PRO]
History
French term or phrase: major (de la Bastille)
A chaque interrogatoire, le major de la Bastille conduisait Lally au Palais dans une voiture bien escortée. Il avait ordre de tuer le prisonnier au moindre éveil du peuple. Quand le dénoûment approcha, le premier président, remarquant la persistance du général à comparaître en grand costume de général avec le cordon de l'ordre et ses insignes, commanda au major de la Bastille d'en dépouiller le prévenu.

(Histoire de la Bastille, par Auguste Jean François Arnould, Auguste Maquet)

Anyone able to suggest a translation for the historical position of "major" of a prison in France?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Philip Taylor
Local time: 10:09
English translation:major
Explanation:
"The governor was supported by various officers, in particular his deputy, the lieutenant de roi, or lieutenant of the king, who was responsible for general security and the protection of state secrets; **the major, responsible for managing the Bastille's financial affairs and the police archives**; and the capitaine des portes, who ran the entrance to the Bastille."

You might have to put a few words in brackets explaining what it means, and maybe put "major" in italics.
Selected response from:

philgoddard
United States
Grading comment
Many thanks for the answer, much appreciated. I suppose I was really wondering if an equivalent position within prisons, if only historically, exists or existed within English-speaking countries. If so I don't think the name for the role was "major". But your ref does show that the problem may not be possible to solve other than by using the French term. And thank you writeaway for your wonderful contribution. I'm amazed to see you're still (pa)trolling these pages after all these years. Please refrain from leaving snide remarks on any of my future questions.
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2major
philgoddard
3 +1major of the Bastille
Wendy Streitparth


  

Answers


38 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
major
major


Explanation:
"The governor was supported by various officers, in particular his deputy, the lieutenant de roi, or lieutenant of the king, who was responsible for general security and the protection of state secrets; **the major, responsible for managing the Bastille's financial affairs and the police archives**; and the capitaine des portes, who ran the entrance to the Bastille."

You might have to put a few words in brackets explaining what it means, and maybe put "major" in italics.


    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille
philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 10
Grading comment
Many thanks for the answer, much appreciated. I suppose I was really wondering if an equivalent position within prisons, if only historically, exists or existed within English-speaking countries. If so I don't think the name for the role was "major". But your ref does show that the problem may not be possible to solve other than by using the French term. And thank you writeaway for your wonderful contribution. I'm amazed to see you're still (pa)trolling these pages after all these years. Please refrain from leaving snide remarks on any of my future questions.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Wendy Streitparth: Sorry Phil, you pipped me to it.
6 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  writeaway: nothing beats a bit of research
1 hr
  -> I agree.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

43 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
major of the Bastille


Explanation:
the major, responsible for managing the Bastille's financial affairs and the police archives
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille

'The Major of the Bastille received orders ' to conduct the Comt'e' Lally to the Palace
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XJxYAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA73&lpg...

Wendy Streitparth
Germany
Local time: 11:09
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  writeaway: nothing beats a bit of research
1 hr
  -> Thanks, writeaway
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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