Soon

 

Redcoats and Rebels

 This is a booklet we produced in 1998 to sell at events and to encourage people to get involved. Had drawings and photos in it.

Barry Lyndon (1975)

 Next year will be the 50th so hopefully it will get a cinematic re-release. I have the soundtrack on vinyl. 

Night battle

 Soon in the Czech Republic is the biggest Seven Years War event in Europe - Terezin. I post photos every year as it's a pleasure to see. One of the successful elements is a torchlight parade followed by a night battle. Very atmospheric. 

me in 85 at my first ECW event at Basing - with Gordon and Nick Usher

 

485 Festung Ziegenhain

 Photo Peter J. Scherer

Prestonpans 2024

 By Phoenix Photography Scotland. 

Zutphen 1586

 Today's anniversary. Here. Involved the English. 

Prestonpans 1995. Photo Howard Giles. .

 This Kickstarted the mid 18th century scene in the U.K. 

1st Newbury 1643

 Fought today. Details here

Graham Turner

Event in the U.K.

 

Event in Germany

 Commemorating this man.

Breitenfeld 1631

 Today's anniversary. The great victory. Wiki

Gustavus Adolphus by Richard Hook

Forthcoming book series on French army

 The first in a series. Here

French Infantry in the Seven Years War Volume 1 is the first in a series devoted to the French army during the Seven Years War. It describes the organisation and evolution of infantry regiments during the conflict, the hierarchy of a regiment, the recruitment and training of soldiers, officers and their careers, marches, camps and barracks, plus a detailed review of uniforms, infantrymen’s weapons and equipment, and the organisation 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 tactics adopted by the French infantry during the Seven Years War.

Sir Arthur Haselrig's Regiment of Horse: The Lobsters reenactment

 Facebook page. When I reenacted English Civil War this was a dream to see these. Now they are here. The un-blackened or bright armour is apparently documented. 

Champagne infanterie

 History of the regiment here at Kronoskaf

Recruiting in France

Osprey release Hesilrige's Lobsters book

 On 7th November we publish Steel Lobsters: Crown, Commonwealth, and the Last Knights in England by Myke Cole.

A dramatic history of the Steel Lobsters, Sir Arthur Hesilrige's Regiment of Horse, in the English Civil War – the last fully armoured knights in England.

Find out more and pre-order: https://bit.ly/3XEwPqs

US: 05/11/2024

St. Cast 1758

 Kronoskaf

A battle on the French shore. Today in 1758

Malplaquet 1709

 

Today's anniversary

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Malplaquet

In Scotland

 

On 21-22 September 2024, history will come to life at Greenhills, Prestonpans!

Wander through the military camps, talk with the soldiers, watch the gun teams and cavalry riders put through their paces, and witness the Battle of Prestonpans unfold before you.

Join re-enactors from across the nation for Britain’s biggest Jacobite re-enactment weekend.

Tickets

Adult (16+): £5

Junior (6-15): £3

Under 5s: Free

Interesting portrait

 Read about the coat here

Europe's biggest Seven Years War event

 In the Czech Republic.

Transitional redcoats by Charles Stadden

 

2nd (Royal North British) Dragoons in the Seven Years War

 Kronoskaf

Event

 Here

Thomas Gainsborough, "Lieutenant-Colonel Edmund Nugent," 1764

 

Lieutenant General Philip Honywood (1765) Thomas Gainsborough

 

119th foot (Prince's own) 1762-3 by David Morier

 From here

Wiki

Science of Arms Volume 2

 Out soon is Stephen Carter's follow up book. Cover depicts the Duke of Monmouth. 

Excellent reconstruction by Ruben W. Gulbrandsen

 

Attempt on a reconstruction of an subaltern officer in Denmark-Norway, ca. 1705.

In Denmark-Norway, the first "real" regulations on officers dress came in 1707. 

This regulation only regulated the surtout (coat) and stated that henceforth, all officers should dress in the same colour-combination as their regiments regular uniforms, with no gold or silver trimming, with cuffs in velvet rather than wool. 

From 1711, the coats where to be red, but still with their regiments colours in the cuffs and lining. Cuffs still in velvet, and sewn buttonholes in red silk, matching the coat.

Before 1707, officers in Demark-Norway stood free to dress in whatever they pleased, but regimental commanders often laid out their own "rules" on how their officers should dress. 

This was not without issues, and records show that subalterns and lower ranking officers complaining on expensive trimmings etc.

Neither the 1707 or 1711 regulations mentions anything about cut or style of the surtout. But period illustrations seems to indicate that officers in Denmark-Norway leaned towards an english fashion in their cut and style. 

Close trade, diplomatic and military relations with booth Holland and England might also help to explain why officers leaned towards this fashion.

-:-:-

English Civil War Armies (1973)

 Art by Michael Roffe. He also did Montcalm's Army I think. 

Sir Charles Lucas

 My daughter just bought me a copy of English Civil War Armies by Brig. Peter Young and Michael Roffe. It came out in 1973 I think and was state of the art for that era. This image is of Sir Charles Lucas a Royalist martyr. 

Cromwell day

 Today is the day for anniversaries associated with Oliver Cromwell. Worcester and Dunbar. Followed by his death in 1658 on this day. 

Harquebusier by Gerry Embleton

 From the book Universal Soldier. This came out in 1971. 14 studies of campaign life. See the others here

Army Royal blog

 

Excellent war games blog. Here. There is also a Facebook page search Army Royal.

Hanoverian Scheither infantry

 Kronoskaf here. White small clothes were the fashion in the 1760s. This was the case for the British army too resulting in the 1768 reforms. 

Landsknecht Osprey

 This a good for finding out about Landsknechts. It is a start. Lovely Gerry Embleton artwork. Here

The Landsknecht (meaning 'servant of the country') flourished during a key period for military organisation and practice. In the late 15th century, the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, recruited thousands of mercenaries from Central and Northern Europe, with the aim of creating a reliable source of men for his armies – and the Landsknecht were born. This book reveals the true-life experiences of the Landsknecht soldier, using numerous first-hand accounts. It takes a close look at the recruitment, training, daily life and and careers of these formidable soldiers, and examines in detail their clothing, equipment and weaponry. Many fine, contemporary illustrations, some drawn by Landsknecht themselves, accompany the text.

Pavia 500

 So next February it will be the 500th. I think there is an event. You have enough time to get kitted out. Wiki

There is a British contingent going as the Black Band. Facebook page here