The word "page" (French page ) has been known since medieval Western Europe. The first step to chivalry was precisely the “page” position.
What is the “page” in history
This is usually a boy of noble origin. Usually this position was received at the age of seven to ten years. Parents sent their son to an experienced lord or knight, who was usually their close friend or relative. The page boy was engaged in archery, all kinds of physical exercises, such as swimming and running, he studied horseback riding, javelin throwing, wrestling. In addition, he also served as a personal servant and accompanied his teacher everywhere.
Pupils were taught courtly manners and chivalry. Boys often served the wife of their patron, and the number of such servants could be quite large. Page could jokingly call the young admirer of the court lady, implying his voluntary service under the auspices of love.
There were no deadlines that determined exactly how much the student was supposed to serve. This was decided by the cartridge itself, but usually at the age of twelve years the boy, with proper training, received a raise.
Clothing item - page
What is the page in clothes, not everyone knows. In medieval France, this is a women's belt, in which there was a clip to support a matched skirt. This could be the hooks or cord that supported the hem during wet and dirty weather. Now the term means a strap with which stockings in lingerie are attached to the belt. The pages for stockings can be either removable or form a single unit with the belt.
In fortune telling
Page is one of the tarot cards. Typically, the card symbolizes a young man or girl. There are suits of Swords, Chalices, Cups and Wands. The meaning of the cards is completely different, for example, in the upright position, the Page of Cups means quiet joy, dreams and romance. It also means a step towards reconciliation, as well as news of an imminent engagement, wedding or birth of a child. This is a sign of noble girls and boys with a sensual, emotional and rich soul. It can also mean a person with a water zodiac sign: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio.
But in the inverted position, the Page of Cups can mean a fragile truce, empty, illusory hopes. In the description of the character, the card speaks of infantilism and excessive emotionality that prevail over common sense. If this is a child, he is certainly spoiled. In the case of a young man, the card speaks of charm and impudence. The girl that this card characterizes is an attractive seductress, but rather ingenuous, not possessing treachery.
Page Corps
There is another meaning of the word “page”. What is the page case? In Tsarist Russia there was an elite military educational institution, and page was a boy trained in the so-called Page Corps. The institution was located in St. Petersburg, its graduates became guard officers. The Page Corps (the full name is the Page Corps of His Imperial Majesty the Corps) was founded by Elizaveta Petrovna in 1750, but became an official educational institution only in 1802. During their training in the corps, the boys were already assigned to the imperial court and performed some duties, for example, they were on guard duty.
However, this was not the only title adopted in the corps, regardless of the birth, the next rank could receive any page. That such an increase was given to the best of the best is not in doubt. The rank of camera-page was received by pupils who differed in study and behavior, and also spoke several languages, and this was considered a great honor. Subsequently, they served directly with the Empress, as well as with the Grand Duchesses during ceremonial receptions and balls. The chamber-page, who served the empress, was appointed sergeant major, and if the empresses were two (acting and widowed), each had two servants. The Grand Duchess served one page. Also, at the court there was always a “spare” cell-page, in case of illness of one of the main ones.
By legal status, a page was equated to a non-commissioned officer of the guard, and a camera-page was equated to a sergeant-major of the guard. Senior chamber-page - to the ensign of the guard.