A maner sergeant was this privee man,
The which that feithful ofte he founden hadde
In thynges grete, and eek swich folk wel kan
Doon execucioun in thynges badde.
The lord knew wel that he hym loved and dradde.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Clerk’s Tale. The Marquis enlists the help of a Sergeant who is completely loyal to him and is prepared to carry out his orders even in evil matters. Walter knows that the man man both loves and fears him.