Image of a Kirke's grenadier from the Queen's Royal Surrey webpage.Francis Hawley 1685 - original in the NAM.
I am interested in the early English grenadiers - this list below omits mention of a sword - is there any evidence these early grenadiers were equipped with these or would fusil, bayonet and hatchets be sufficient arms?
Charles R.—Right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor, we greet you well. Having thought fit to establish two companies of grenadiers on foot to be establisht to our two regiments of Guards, consisting of one captaine, two lieut, 3 serjeants, 3 corpl, and 50 private soldiers in each of them; our will and pleasure is, that out of our stores remaining in the Office of our Ordnance, you cause to he delivered to such officer or officers as the respective colonels or chief officers of the said regiments shall appoint to receive the same, 2 drums, 53 light fuzees with slings, 53 cartouch boxes with girdles, 3 halberds, 2 partizans, 53 grenado pouches, 53 bayonets, 53 hatchets with girdles, for each of the two companies, as soon as they shall have delivered their present arms into the Office of Ordnance. And for so doing, this, together with the respective receipts of the colonel or chief officer, shall he your discharge. Given at our Court at Windsor, this 28th day of April, 1684.
By his Majesty's command,
StlNDERLAND
By his Majesty's command,
StlNDERLAND
Sandford's description at the Coronation of James II (1685) describes the 1st Foot Guards grenadiers as
The Granadiers (viz. two companies) were Cloathed as the Musquetiers, but distinguished by Caps of Red Cloth lined with Blew Shalloon....Each of these Granadiers was Armed with a long Carbine Strapt, the barrel thereof Three Feet Two Inches in length; a Cartouch box, bionet, Granada-pouch and a Hammer-Hatchet.
No mention of swords.
Ralphus,
ReplyDeleteThe Grenadier equipment may have been a regiment-by-regiment thing or may have evolved over time. I found the following reference to a supply shipment to the Tangier Regiment on page 76 of Lawson:
"..., Pikemen's, Grenadier's and Sergeant's swords,..."
Bill
It could be that the statement 'each soldier a sword' in one warrant covers all types - here's a few more warrants
ReplyDeleteExtract from a warrant dated April 13th, 1678.
The following arms to be delivered to the company of granadiers of the Coldstream Guards, consisting of one captain, two lieutenants* three Serjeants, three corporals, and one hundred soldiers, viz.:— 103 fuzees, with slings to each; 103 cartridge boxes, with girdles; 103 granadoe pouches; 103 bayonets ; 103 hatchets, with girdles to them ; 3 halberds; 2 partizans.
66.
Charles R.—Whereas we have thought fit that two soldiers of each company, now in the Tower, of the two regiments of Foot Guards, shall be trained and exercised by our trusty & well beloved Capt Charles Lloyd for the duty of granadiers ; our will and pleasure is, that out o! the stores within the Office of our Ordnance you cause to be delivered unto the said Capt" Charles Lloyd 20 granadier pouches, 20 fuzees, 2O hatchets and girdles for the use of the 20 soldiers out of (the 10 companies in the Coldstream regiment, and for so doing this shall be vour warrant. Given at our Court at Whitehall, 19th May, 1677.
By his Majesty's command,
Williamson.