Tuesday 2 January 2024

Osprey Publishing Louis XIV's Army

 


Louis XIV's Army. 1988. Probably my favourite Osprey. Chartrand/Back are a great combination. This came out at an opportune moment. During the 300th anniversary. 

(1): Private, Régiment Hautefort-Dragon, c.1698. This was 'Asfeld-Dragon' until 1696. Besides wearing caps, dragoons were recognised by their leather gaiters, and carried flintlock muskets as well as cavalry swords. (The main sources for all figures on this plate are: Mercure Galant, September 1680, 2è partie, September 1698; Bibl. Guerre, Ms A1b 1626; Guérard, Les Exercices de Mars, c. 1695.)

(2): Private, Régiment des Dragons da Roi, c.1698. The King's Dragoon regiment, also called 'Royal', wore blue lined with red with pewter buttons in 1698. The coat is reconstructed after one sent to Sweden in the late 1680s. 

(3): Private, Régiment Tessé-Dragon, 1680. When reviewed by the king in Flanders in 1680, Tessé wore yellow lined with red. In 1685 the regiment became 'Mestre-de-Camp-Général' and changed to red lined with blue. (4): Officer, Régiment Colonel-Gènéral des Dragons, 1680. At the 1680 review the officers were 'magnificently dressed' in coats embroidered with silver 'Brandebourgs' in Spanish point lace. The standards were red sprinkled with gold flames, etc. It is worth noting that the officers of all the regiments present were in regimental uniforms.

Artwork from MAA 203 Louis XIV's Army, illustrated by Francis Back.

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