Friday, 28 June 2024

Anyone know this painting? Looks like a French camp

 Simon says Google lens says Watteau. There is an article on Watteau's military paintings here


Thursday, 27 June 2024

Philips Norton 1685

 Read about it on Steve's page here

Monmouth is at Norton Town / All a-fighting for the Crown / Ho! boys, ho!

Sunday, 23 June 2024

Krefeld 1758

 


Today's anniversary. Here and here on Kronoskaf

Saturday, 22 June 2024

Bothwell Bridge 1679

 The Battle of Bothwell Bridge, or Bothwell Brig' took place on 22 June 1679. It was fought between government troops and militant Presbyterian Covenanters, and signalled the end of their brief rebellion. The battle took place at the bridge over the River Clyde between Hamilton and Bothwell in Lanarkshire, Scotland.


For more information about the 1679 Rising and the Battle of Bothwell Brig, pick up a copy of Monmouth’s First Rebellion: The Later Covenanter Risings 1660-1685, published by Helion & Company and available at all good bookshops.

https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/monmouths-first-rebellion-the-later-covenanter-risings-1660-1685.php

Wednesday, 19 June 2024

Taunton

 Today is the anniversary of the godly maids of Taunton. 


A novel

 Edgar Nelthorpe, or, The fair maids of Taunton : a story of the Monmouth rebellion. This is a novel from 1881. Read it here

Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Interesting image of a boy grenadier

 Anybody know anything about this picture? Eric Roberts found this

MutualArt describes it as 'Follower of Edward Haytley (active c. 1740-1764): Portrait of a young boy in military dress with battle beyond. 18th century.'

Battle of Kolin

 Significant defeat for Frederick. 


Today's anniversary. Here

Austrian grenadier at Kolin


Monday, 17 June 2024

The French infantry during the Seven Years War

 Out later in Spring list. Register interest here


The Seven Years War was long forgotten in French historiography. In fact, in the years following the peace of 1763, it had no name. When authors referred to this conflict, they simply used the expression: the last war or the German war. It was Templelhoff in 1787, working on the work The German War written by Lloyd, who called it for the first time: History of the Seven Years War in Germany Geschichte des siebenjährigen Krieges in Deutschland. This is what Bardin had to say about it at the beginning of the nineteenth century: 'It was undertaken without plausible motives, conducted without skill by most of the French generals and interspersed with endless vicissitudes [...] It is memorable for the nameless mistakes made by all the armies in it; it ended to the great disadvantage of France'.

Although France suffered a series of military defeats, the period was nonetheless very rich in trials and innovations in terms of organization and uniforms. Many of the reforms that followed the war were based on the French experience.

From a symbolic point of view, the period say the appearance of attributes emblematic of the military: epaulettes, for example. The introduction of this little piece of cloth edged with fringes was initiated by Maréchal de Belle Isle in 1759, and spread to armies all over the world, sometimes taking on impressive proportions. Even though today they are only found on the ceremonial uniforms of modern troops, they have long identified the soldier's silhouette. One could also mention the star of our modern general officers, which appeared for the first time on the epaulettes of officers commanding a brigade, or the green uniforms of the dragoons. There was also the first attempt to introduce a helmet for the cavalry, an idea that remained unfulfilled until 1803 and the Empire. The trial of a cork life jacket at Dieppe, the birth of the regimental artillery that Gribeauval was to bring to fruition...

On a tactical level, chasseur companies were created within the regular infantry regiments, the precursors of the voltigeurs and the tirailleurs of the Revolution and the Empire.

In terms of the structural reforms of the army, the ordinance of 1759, followed by those of 1762 and 1763, which created recruit regiments, represented a veritable revolution. They marked the end of the burden of recruitment and the ownership of a company by a captain, to be sold like property. It also marked the end of gentlemen's regiments, with the exception of princely regiments. The École Militaire was created, and the first officers to graduate from it would go on to fight in the campaigns of the Seven Years War.

This volume is the first in a series devoted to the French army during the Seven Years War. It describes the organization and evolution of infantry regiments during the Seven Years War, the hierarchy of a regiment, recruitment and training of soldiers, officers and their careers, marches, encampment and barracks for troops, payment of honors, a detailed review of uniforms, infantrymen's weapons and equipment, and the organization and uniforms of provincial militias, Grenadiers de France and coastguard militias. The second volume will detail the distinctive uniforms and flags of all the regiments. The third volume will deal with the elementary tactics adopted by the French infantry during the Seven Years War.

Friday, 14 June 2024

War Walks 2

 Picked up this book from 1997 today for 50p. Has Naseby and the Boyne plus others. Shame these programmes aren't on Youtube. I remember it as being good. 


Naseby

 

Fairfax

Today's anniversary. Wiki. Arguably England's most decisive battle (we will ignore Hastings). 

Wednesday, 12 June 2024

Taunton Garrison at Glastonbury Abbey



Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd June 2024

When: 10am to 5pm
Where: Main Abbey

Step back in time to the Monmouth Rebellion at Glastonbury Abbey!

Join us on the weekend of 22nd & 23rd June and see history come to life with the Taunton Garrison. There will be displays of authentic weaponry from the period.

Hear the roar of muskets and witness pikemen drilling. Venture into the living history campsite, where you may even encounter the dreaded barber surgeon! Experience the sights, sounds, and stories of the 17th Century. Don't miss this opportunity to be transported back in time and gain a deeper understanding of the Monmouth Rebellion.

The Taunton Garrison is a historical re-enactment group that brings history to life by providing a wide range of entertainment both military and civilian from the late sixteenth to late seventeenth century. They reenact various Living History skills, weapon demonstrations and small skirmishes, covering history between the Spanish Armada of 1588 to the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685.

Schedule of Events

All Day - Public interaction in the camp. Visit the barber surgeon to find out how people were cured of their ailments!
11:00 - Weapons Display*
12:00 - Pike Drill & Children's Pike Drill
2:00 - Weapons Display*
3:00 - Pike Drill & Children's Pike Drill
4:00 - Camp Closes

*Please note that through the weekend there will be some loud noises as part of the display. Those with nervous dogs may wish to visit the abbey at an alternate date.

This activity is included in your abbey admission (free for Members).

Admission is cheaper when booked online. Click the button below to book your admission in advance and save. Kids go free!. Here


Littlecote House Horse brass

 My daughter picked this up at a car boot sale. Bit of nostalgia from when it was an attraction.


Tuesday, 11 June 2024

Monmouth lands at Lyme 1685

 Today's anniversary. The start of the Rebellion. 


Monday, 10 June 2024

Sunday, 9 June 2024

Culloden 1968 guidebook

 This is a nice find. I visited Culloden around then on holiday with my parents. I remember Culloden featured in a Dr Who storyline around then too. 



Friday, 7 June 2024

Abbaca

 Group from the Czech republic. Here they are at Sully-sur-Loire. Webpage http://www.abbaca.com


Wednesday, 5 June 2024

Judge Jefferies House

 George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem by John Michael Wright

oil on canvas, 1675

Wiki.  The villainous Monmouth judge. 

There used to be a house in Bristol called Judge Jefferies house. Anyone know the connection?
Judge jefferies house built c1664. Demolished c1890


Vive le Roi! Event in the East of France

 Pics by Gabriel De Saint Firmin. A training event at the château de Neublans in the Jura. Great to see French groups for the Louis XV period. 

Années 1740 - Cantonnement et manœuvres de l'armée du roi Louis XV autour du château du marquis de Frossard, à Neublans (Franche-Comté).

Avec Abbaca, Régiments du Passé et le régiment de Champagne.

📸 Gabriel De Saint Firmin