 In practice however, the military branch of the Maison du Roi was frequently run by the Constable of France or the Secretary of State for War.He had numerous ceremonial duties.At the death of the king he would lead the funeral procession and, at the king's tomb, he would break his baton, throw it into the tomb and intone "Gentlemen, the King is dead; you are free from his service"; he would then take a new baton and intone "Gentlemen, the King lives, and gives you your posts."