Thanks to Michal Paradowski for identifying this. He says 'This is The Disbanding of the 'Waardgelders' (Mercenaries in the Pay of the Town Government) by Prince Maurits on the Neude, Utrecht, 31 July 1618, painted by Pauwels van Hillegaert in 1627'. The full painting The Disbanding of the ‘Waardgelders’ by Prince Maurits - Rijksmuseum
Wars of Louis Quatorze
A military history of the 17th century and the 18th century
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Fraustadt 320th
This weekend, Swedish Lif:Compagniet, together with other Carolinian friend associations, goes to Wschowa (Fraustadt) to note that it is 320 years since the battle was fought.
Fraustadt 1706
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| Engraving made by Johann Christian Marchand |
Today's anniversary. Battle of Fraustadt - Wikipedia
The Battle of Fraustadt was fought on 2 February 1706 (O.S.) / 3 February 1706 (Swedish calendar) / 13 February 1706 (N.S.) between Sweden and Saxony-Poland and their Russian allies near Fraustadt (now Wschowa) in Poland. During the Battle of Fraustadt on February 3, August II was only 120 km away, with a cavalry force about 8,000 men strong. According to Cathal Nolan that caused Swedish General Rehnskiöld to rush to engage Schulenburg. The Swedes were outnumbered by more than two to one by Saxons, mercenaries, and Russians. Ignoring the odds, Rehnsköld attacked the enemy's well-entrenched position. He sent cavalry to drive off defending Saxon horse on either wing and complete a classic double envelopment. The manoeuvre meant they could attack from behind into the center rear of the enemy's main line. The result was 8,000 Russian deaths and 5,000 Saxons and German mercenaries taken prisoner. The battle is a textbook example of a perfect pincer movement and was one of Sweden's key victories in the Great Northern War.[8]
Monday, 2 February 2026
Charles I Van Dyck
For all Royalists celebrating 400 years since the coronation. Image is from 1635-6
By Anthony van Dyck - National Gallery, London - online catalogue., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150574


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