I am really impressed by this work by US-based artist
Thomas Payton. It depicts
the charge of the Regiment of Clare, Irish Brigade in
the service of France, against the British Guards at the Battle of
Fontenoy, 11 May 1745. The Irish Brigade suffered some 500 casualties on the day while
capturing 15 cannon, a colour of the Coldstream Guards was taken, and
the attack of the Irish compelled the British Guards to retire.
Great illustration. The 'capture' of a colour from the Coldstream Guards is a much cherished memory of the Irish Brigade. But no such colour exists in the official record- 'The trophies of Louis XV' although other British colours captured in that war do. If they had captured such a prestigious colour that day- it would have appeared in the official
ReplyDeletecatalogue. Possibly a much perpetuated myth?