A captain in the period prior to the professionalization of the armed services of European nations subsequent to the French Revolution, during the early modern period, was a nobleman who purchased the right to head a company from the previous holder of that right.
Înainte de profesionalizarea armatelor europene, adică înainte de Revoluția Franceză, un căpitan era cel care cumpăra dreptul de a conduce o companie de la predecesorul său.