1

[Note: This series of articles was written by Charles Kightly, illustrated by Anthony Barton
and first published in Military Modelling Magazine. The series is reproduced here with the
kind permission of Charles Kightly and Anthony Barton. Typographical errors have been
corrected and comments on the original articles are shown in bold within square brackets.]

Important colour notes for modellers, this month considering Parliamentary infantry, by
Charles Kightly and Anthony Barton.

During the Civil Wars there were no regimental colours as such, each company of an infantry
regiment having its own. A full strength regiment, therefore, might have as many as ten, one
each for the colonel's company, lieutenant-colonel's company, major's company, first,
second, third captain's company etc. All the standards of the regiment were of the same basic
colour, with a system of differencing which followed one of three patterns, as follows. In most
cases the colonel's colour was a plain standard in the regimental colour (B1), sometimes with
 2

a motto (A1). All the rest, however, had in their top left hand corner a canton with a cross of
St. George in red on white; lieutenant-colonels' colours bore this canton and no other device.

In the system most commonly followed by both sides (pattern 1) the major's colour had a
'flame' or 'stream blazant' emerging from the bottom right hand corner of the St. George (A3),
while the first captain's company bore one device, the second captain's two devices, and so
on for as many colours as there were companies. Variant styles, however, were in vogue
amongst the London militia or Trained Bands, and possibly elsewhere. One of these (pattern
2) continued the use of the major's flame, the first captain's colour bearing two of these, the
second captain's three etc., arranged round the canton. In the other (pattern 3) the major's
colour bore a single device rather than a flame, the first captain's two devices, and so on.

The devices used by parliamentary infantry seem usually to have been conventional ones,
such as stars, balls, lozenge-shapes etc. rather than devices taken from the heraldic arms of
the colonel, though Lord Saye's regimental colours did employ his family's rampant lions. Even
so, standards rarely broke the heraldic rules by placing metal (gold and silver and hence
yellow and white) on metal or a colour (red, blue, green etc.) on a colour; thus, one would not
normally expect to find, say, yellow devices on a white standard or blue devices on a red one.
Nor were a regiment's colours always the same hue as its coats. Early in Charles I's reign, foot
colours were described as being seven and a half feet long (next to the pole) by nine feet long
(in the fly) but by the time of the Civil War they had been reduced to a rather more moderate
size of six and a half feet square, the canton of St. George being between one and a half and
two feet square. In order to fly gracefully, and to be manageable in a wind, they were made
from two thicknesses of some lightweight material, like silk or taffeta, the devices being
painted rather than embroidered. Standard poles seem generally to have been rather short
(perhaps about eight to ten feet long) both for ease of management and to facilitate the
ceremonial flourishing of colours so much recommended by seventeenth-century military
writers. Contemporary illustrations show the poles to have been topped by a spearhead, but
more decorative devices may also have been used. One such, perhaps, was the brass dove,
fitted with a socket for a staff, found in a ditch near the battlefield of Cropredy Bridge, Oxon.

Colours were carried by the ensign, who was the company's most junior officer, ranking below
the captain and his lieutenant. He was not always a young man, though, since the colours
would be a focus of enemy attacks, he needed to be both courageous and agile. In some cases,
at least, he would be provided with a guard of men armed with handy pole-weapons like
halberds. Many rules were laid down by military authorities for the ensign's conduct on
ceremonial occasions, though how much these were observed in the field is another matter.
At no time, for instance, was he to carry the standard-pole with more than one hand “but if
the wind blow stiff... then he may set the butt against his waste and not otherwise”. He was
to dip and flourish his colours to honour the general 'or any Noble Stranger', and on no
account was he to lay them on the ground when the company halted but rather furl them and
prop them up with sergeants' halberds. As an officer, the ensign would not have worn uniform
but his own civilian clothes. The hazards of his office would also call for defensive armour,
most probably a pikeman's suit with or without extra decoration (see illustration).

The ceremonious treatment of the colours was not merely Baroque nonsense, for in some
ways they were (like Roman eagles) the heart and soul of the company and regiment. On the
 3

march they were carried at the head of the company's pikes (supposedly a more honourable
weapon than the musket) or massed together with the collected pikes of the regiment. In
battle, of course, their main use was an easily identifiable rallying point, so here, too, they
were placed with the stand of massed pikes which was the regiment's chief strength and stay.
Even if the pike-stand broke, the colours provided a centre for last-ditch resistance, as at
Naseby when the front line of parliamentary foot were forced back in disorder. "But the
Colonels and Officers, doing the duty of very gallant Men, in endeavouring to keep their men
from disorder, and finding their attempt fruitless therein, fell into the Reserves with their
Colours, choosing rather there to fight and die than to quit the ground they stood on." (Joshua
Sprigge: Anglia Rediviva).

A regiment that lost all its colours therefore (as several royalist regiments did at the same
battle of Naseby) was an utterly broken and routed unit, and one that “cast its standards
away in flight" was likely to be little better. Captured colours were a solid proof of success,
the more the colours the greater the victory. Contemporary accounts of actions, therefore,
nearly always include some such phrase as (in this case referring to the capture of Wakefield,
May 20th 1643) “We took all their Officers prisoners, 27 Colours of Foot, 3 Coronets (i.e.
standards) of Horse and about 1500 Common Souldiers..."

Colours taken by the Parliamentary army were often sent to be presented to the House of
Commons – that is, when they could be found, for the soldiers who captured them sometimes
preferred to tear them up for trophies. Partly to prevent this, substantial rewards were given
when they were handed over, and the account books of the New Model Army contain such
items as:

“For colours taken at Langport fight (10th July, 1645) by the General's order - £7”
"To Monsieur Pridagh the Frenchman for taking colours from the enemy upon a single
encounter - £5."
“To Lieutenant Knight who tooke the black colours att the storming of Bridgewater (21st July,
1645)-£10."

Several instances are known of Parliamentary ensigns capturing colours from their enemy
counterparts, and Ensign Young of Sir William Constable's bluecoats was responsible for
taking the royal standard at the battle of Edgehill, 1642. At the storm of Bridgewater, 1645,
the ensigns of the Lord General's regiment were also in the fore, planting their colours on the
royalist fortifications to encourage their comrades.

Colours could also be used to deceive, as when Colonel Hutchinson, parliamentary governor
of Nottingham, being desperately short of men, displayed far more colours on his defences
than he had companies in the town; the enemy were taken in, and delayed their assault long
enough for Hutchinson to send for reinforcements. On occasion the deception was
unintentional, and several unfortunates were taken prisoner after mistaking the similar
colours of an enemy regiment for their own.

The discussion will be continued later in an article on Royalist infantry colours. Appended
here, however, is a list of all Parliamentary foot standards (see colour illustrations) known to
the authors, including brief notes on the service of the regiments concerned.
 4

[Note: This isn’t complete – more colours have come to light since the article was written –
notably the whole set for Nicholas Devereux’s Regt, depicted in a contemporary painting of
Malmesbury].
 5

Key to illustrations of Parliamentary foot colours

r = raised; disb.= disbanded; m = merged; s served; n.d.k.= colour of standard but no devices
known.

Lines A, B, and C illustrate the three types of differencing in use with the Parliamentary army.
Letters in round brackets indicate system used by regiment. All regiments of the London
Trained Bands probably served at Turnham Green, 1642. Numbers in square brackets indicate
number of companies, where known.

A. 1-16 Charles Fairfax's Regiment New E.2 Blue Auxiliaries (as B) 2nd Captain.
Model Army s. as Red Auxiliaries. [7]
r. West Yorkshire, 1648
s. Pontefract Castle, 1648, Dunbar, 1650, E.3 Green Auxiliaries 4th Captain.
Worcester, 1651 [10] Motto on Colonel's s. with Waller's Army, Autumn 1643,
colour means 'Faithfully and Fortunately' including battle of Alton, Hants. December,
1643.
LONDON TRAINED BANDS
E.4White Auxiliaries (as B) 1st Captain. [7]
B. 1-16 Green Auxiliaries
s. with Waller's Army, Autumn, 1643, E.5 Yellow Auxiliaries (as B) 4th Captain. .
including battle of Alton, Hants. December, as Green Auxiliaries [8]
1643. [7]

C. 1-6 Blue Regiment

s. Relief of Gloucester, Aldbourne, First
Newbury, 1643 [7]

D.1 Red Regiment (as B) 3rd Captain's Co.

s. as Blue Regt. [7]

D. 2 Blue Regiment 4th Captain's Co.

D.3 Green Regiment (as C) 2nd Captain's C

s. as Blue Regt. [6]

D.4 White Regiment (as C) 4th Captain

s. Cheriton, March, 1644. [7].

D.5 Yellow Regiment (as C) 2nd Captain

s. Cheriton, March, 1644. [7]

D.6 Orange Regiment (as C) Major. [6]

E.1 Red Auxiliaries (as C) 2nd Captain.

s. Relief of Gloucester, Aldbourne, First
Newbury, 1643. [7]
 6

E.6 Orange Auxiliaries (n.d.k.) Lieutenant- WALLER'S ARMY

colonel.
s. as Red Auxiliaries. G.2 Sir William Waller's Regiment (n.d.k.)
Lieutenant-Colonel.
F.1 Westminster Regiment (as C) 1st s. Waller's Campaigns September, 1743-5,
Captain. including Alton 1643, Cheriton and
s. as Green Auxiliaries [7] Cropredy Bridge 1644.
m. New Model, 1645 [10]
F.2 Southwark Regiment (as A) 6th
Captain. G.3 Herbert Morley's Regiment (n.d.k.)
s. Cropredy Bridge campaign, 1644 [9] Lieutenant Colonel.
r. Sussex.
F.3 & F.4 Tower Hamlets Regiment Colonel s. Siege of Arundel Castle, 1643, Basing
and 1st Captain. House, 1644 [5]
s. as Southwark Regiment [7]
Motto means 'Jehova [God] will provide' G.4 Colonel Richard Onslowe's Regiment
(n. d. k.) Major.
ESSEX'S ARMY r. Surrey.
s. Basing House, 1644 [6]
F.5 Lord Saye and Sale's Regiment, later
Meldrum's, later Aldrich's (as A) 2nd G.5 Colonel Samuel Jones' Regiment
Captain (n.d.k.) Lieutenant-Colonel.
r. Oxfordshire. r. Surrey.
s. Edgehill 1642, 1st Newbury, 1643, s. Garrison of Farnham, 1643-5. Basing
Lostwithiel, 2nd Newbury 1644. m. New House, 1643-4, Cheriton, 1644.
Model Army, 1645 as Lloyd's. Retained
these colours until at least 1644. [10] NEW MODEL ARMY

F.6 Lord Brooke's Regiment (as A) 2nd G.6 Colonel Thomas Rainsborowe's
Captain. This was the company colour of Regiment (n.d.k.) Lieutenant-Colonel.
Captain John Lilburne, the Leveller. s. Naseby, Bridgewater, Bristol, 1645.
r. London [Note: the hue is 'sea green' -- adopted as
s. Southam, Edgehill, Brentford 1642, disb. a party colour by the Levellers and their
1643. [10] sympathisers, especially after
Rainsborowe's murder in 1648, and
G.1 John Hampden's Regiment (n.d.k.) probably relates to the Tower Guard Rgt
later Tyrrel's, later Ingoldsby's, Colonel. commanded by Rainsborowe at his death]
r. Buckinghamshire
s. Southam, Edgehill, Brentford, 1642, 1st
Newbury, 1643? Lostwithiel, ? Second
Newbury, 1644. m. New Model, 1645.
Motto means 'Not one step backwards'
(We never retreat) [Note: Currently it is
thought that this design was instead
Hampden’s cavalry cornet].
 7

GENERALS' PERSONAL STANDARDS

H.3 Sir Thomas Fairfax
These were carried to mark the position of Commander-in-chief, New Model Army,
a general on the field, and borne by his 16459.
personal lifeguard of horse. They were Commanded at Naseby, Langport,
about 2 feet square, the same size as Bridgewater, Bristol, 1645, Torrington,
cavalry standards. 1646, Maidstone, Colchester, 1648.
The hue is 'peacock blue'.
[Note: Much confusion has arisen over
‘personal standards’, these were simply H.4 Ferdinando Lord Fairfax (father of the
the cornet of the general’s lifeguard above)
troop. Sometimes lifeguard troops Commander of Northern Parliamentary
deployed independently, but often Army, 1642-5. Commanded in Yorkshire
formed the first troop of the general’s campaigns and present at Marston Moor,
own regiment of horse] 1644. The Spanish motto translates as
'Long live the King and Death to Bad
H.1 Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. Government'
Commander of the main Parliamentary
Army, 1642-5. H.5 Major-General Philip Skippon
Commander-in-chief at Edgehill, 1642, Commander of infantry in Essex's army and
First Newbury, 1643, Lostwithiel and in New Model Army.
Second Newbury, 1644. Present at 1st and 2nd Newbury, in most of
Motto means: 'Virtue attracts envy' Essex's campaigns, and at Naseby. Motto
means: 'Pray and fight. Jehova helps and
H.2 Sir William Waller will help you'
Command of various armies, especially in
southern England, 1642-5. H.6 Edward, Earl of Manchester
Commander-in-chief at Lansdown, Commander, Eastern Association, 1643-5.
Roundway Down, Alton, 1643, Cheriton Commanded at Winceby, 1643 and
and Cropredy Bridge, 1644. Lincoln, 1644, present at Marston Moor and
Motto means:' The fruit of virtue' 2nd Newbury, 1644.
 8

More colour notes for modellers by Charles Kightly and Anthony Barton; this time, the
Standards of the Royalist Infantry.

A considerable number of Royalist infantry colours are known, the principal sources of
information being, ironically, the records of their Parliamentarian opponents who captured
them with increasing regularity as the war turned against the King. Many of these captured
standards were sent as trophies of victory to the House of Commons, where some
unidentified artists (to whom military historians must be forever grateful) carefully drew and
painted them in volumes which still survive in various archive collections.
 9

As might be expected in a civil war, the military systems used by both sides were similar. In
the Royalist, as in the Parliamentary army, regiments of foot were composed of companies,
nominally of about a hundred men each, and each of these had its own colour. Up to ten
standards, therefore, might be carried by a full strength regiment, one each for the colonel's,
lieutenant-colonel's, major's, first, second, third and fourth captain's companies, etc. This was
the ideal but (especially towards the end of the war) Royalist regiments were rarely up to
strength and by the battle of Naseby in 1645 some were down to two or three companies,
having to be 'brigaded' together to form one unit of regimental size.

Standards were made of painted silk or taffeta, and were six and a half feet square. Within a
regiment all were of the same basic colour, but several methods were used to distinguish the
different companies, the most common system being apparently that shown in Cl-6. Here the
colonel's colour is plain, but all the rest have cantons of St. George (between eighteen inches
and two feet square) in the top left hand corner. The major's colour is further differenced by
a streamer issuing from the canton, the First Captain's has one device, the Second Captain's
two, and so on. Another common system (see E4-5) had the same type of Colonel's
Lieutenant-Colonel's and Major's colours as above - indeed, these were almost universal - but
dispensed with devices, the First Captain having two streamers from the St. George, the
Second Captain three, etc.

The systems above were used by both sides indiscriminately (see the Parliamentary infantry
colours in June Military Modelling), Colonel Cooke's Royalist regiment (E1), for instance,
bearing exactly the same colours as those carried by the Blue Regiment of the London Trained
Bands on the opposing side. This situation undoubtedly gave rise to considerable confusion
on the battlefield, and many examples are known where soldiers mistook an enemy regiment
with similar colours for their own, with disastrous results. Perhaps for this reason, some
Royalist regiments adopted a system which, as far as we can tell, was confined to the King's
army. In this (F2-6) the field officers' standards were conventional, but the Captains' were
distinguished by an increasing number of geometrical segments (or ‘gyrons’) in contrasting
colours. One regiment with this type of colour, Gerrard's (F5) further decorated them with
gold wreaths, perhaps a battle honour granted for some notable action.

Where conventional devices were used, these were often derived from the colonel's coat of
arms. Stradling's cinquefoils, Talbot's hounds, Astley's hawk-lures and Percy's crescents all fall
into this category, and Sir Henry Bard's 'cross potent' appears even on the normally plain
colonel's colour of his regiment (G1-3). One commander, a certain Martin from Yorkshire,
even displayed his whole arms crest, mantling, motto and all - on his colour (H5), which was
considered 'bad form' by contemporary heralds. A few royalist units (none, unfortunately,
identified) clung to a rather old fashioned design of contrasting stripes reminiscent of the
standards of Queen Elizabeth's day (H6).

The colours of the King's Lifeguard of Foot, as befitted its special status, were quite different
from those of any other regiment, for the St. George's cross extended the whole length of the
hoist. Colonel's, Lieutenant-Colonel's and Major's standards all displayed one of the royal
badges, and those of the Captains were differenced with crowned English roses. The colours
of Prince Rupert's regiment, by contrast, were very un-English indeed. Like their colonel, these
were German in style, and employed the black and white livery colours of the Rhineland
 10

Palatinate from which Rupert hailed. The Queen, too, used her national device, the French
fleur-de-lys, on both the colours of her foot regiment and the standards of her troop of horse.

The colours were carried by an ensign, the most junior officer of the company, who (when
there was any money to be had) was paid a guinea a week, considerably more than a private
soldier with his weekly four shillings but less than his captain who received a weekly £2.12/6d.
Like all other officers he provided his own clothes rather than wearing the regimental uniform
coat. Ensigns were usually 'gentlemen', like the Welshman John Gwyn who, after a short spell
in the ranks, was promoted to carry a colour in the regiment of his fellow-countryman Sir
Thomas Salisbury. In his memoirs he tells us how 'for my further encouragement I had the
colours confirmed on me, to go on as I began'. His post naturally made him the focus of enemy
attention, and when Gwyn's unit was forced to retreat during the first battle of Newbury
(1643), it was his skill at vaulting with the standard pole that saved him... 'with the colours in
my hand, I jumped over hedge and ditch, or I had died by multitude of hands'. In such
circumstances agility was the best protection, but many ensigns probably wore some armour,
if only the gorget, the usual mark of an officer.

Key to illustration of Royalist foot colours

Here follows a list of all Royalist colours which we have been able to trace, with notes on
uniform colours where known and a summary of the unit's service.
r = raised, s = served, disb. = disbanded, destr. = destroyed.

A1-6 King's Lifeguard (Red Coats) B2-6 Prince Rupert's Regiment (Blue
Colonel's. Lt-Col's, Major's. 1st, 2nd and Coats) Col. Lt. Col., 1 st, 3rd and 5th
3rd Captains'. Captain
r. Lincs., Derbs. and Cheshire. Originally 12 r. Somerset, as Sir Thomas Lunsford's
companies. Regiment. Taken over by Rupert, 1643.
s. Edgehill, 1642. First Newbury, 1643. s. Edgehill, 1642. In the west, including
Cropredy Bridge/Western Campaign/2nd Lansdown and the Siege of Bristol, and at
Newbury, 1644. Virtually destroyed at Chalgrove, 1643. Marston Moor, 1644.
Naseby, 1645, where all these six colours Virtually destroyed at Naseby, 1645, where
were captured. seven colours were lost. These unusual
colours, which are of German type, may
B1. Queen's Regiment (Red Coats) only have come in when Prince Rupert took
Colonel's colour - other colours unknown. over the regiment. [Note: The black and
Little is known of the service of this white stripy flags B2 and B3 are now
regiment, though it certainly fought at thought to belong to another regiment,
Cropredy Bridge. This colour was captured not Prince Rupert’s]
by the Parliamentary army of the Earl of
Essex at some unknown place. See also Sir C1-6 Sir Edward Stradling's (later John
Henry Bard's Regt. Below Stradling's) Col., Lt. Col., Major, 1st, 2nd,
4th Captain.
r. S. Wales.
s. Edgehill, 1642. ? 1st Newbury, 1643.
Cropredy Bridge, 2nd Newbury, 1644. ?
Naseby, 1645.
11
 12

D6 Sir Lewis Dyve's 3rd Captain - (system

as Talbots).
r. Lincs. and Beds.
s. Edgehill, 1642. Garrison of Abingdon,
Cheriton (~), Cropredy, 1644. Garrison of
Sherborne Castle, Dorset, 1645.

E1 Col. Cooks's 1st Captain - (system as

Talbot's).
s. Cropredy Bridge, 1644.

E2 Henry Lord Percy's (White Coats)

(system as Talbot's).
Recruited from the Yorkshire regiments,
this unit escorted the Train of Artillery (of
which Percy was commander) at Cheriton
and (?) Cropredy Bridge, 1644.

E3 Sir Richard Bolle's (later Sir George

Lisle's) Lt. Cot's. - (system as Talbot's).
D1-3 Sir Gilbert Talbot's (Yellow Coats) Lt. r. Staffs.
Col., Major, 1st Captain. s. Edgehill, 1642. First Newbury, 1643.
r. ? Shropshire. s. Cheriton, Cropredy Bolle was killed at Alton, Dec. 1649. Under
Bridge, 1644. The dogs on these colours Lisle the unit served at Cheriton, Cropredy
are 'talbot-hounds', badge of the colonel's and 2nd Newbury 1644. Naseby, 1645.
family.
E4-5 Sir William Pennyman's (later Sir
D4 Lord Hopton's (Blue Coats) 3rd Captain James Pennyman’s, later Richard Page's)
(system as Talbot's) Major and 1st
r. West Country. Captain.
s. Western campaigns including Lansdown One of the first royalist regiments, raised
and Bristol, 1643. Cheriton and Cropredy from the Yorkshire Trained Bands.
Bridge, 1644. Western campaigns, 1645-6 s. Edgehill, 1642. Cropredy, 1644. Naseby,
1645, where several of their colours were
D5 Sir Bernard Astley's (formerly Marquis taken.
of Hertford's) 1st Captain - (system as
Talbot's). E6 Anthony Thelwall's (formerly Sir
s. Western campaigns including Lansdown Edward Fitton's) 1st Capt. - (system as
and Siege of Bristol. Cheriton (?), Cropredy, Pennyman's).
2nd Newbury, 1644. Naseby, 1645. The r. Cheshire.
devices are hawk’s lures. s. Edgehill, 1642. Siege of Bristol, First
Newbury, 1643. Cropredy, 2nd Newbury,
1644.
 13

F1-4 Sir Allen Apsley's (Red Coats) Major. G4-6 City of Oxford Regiment. Lt. Colonel,
1 st, 2nd and 3rd Captain's. Major, 1st Captain.
s. Cropredy Bridge, 1644. ? West Country r. Oxford December, 1643 from townsmen
1645-6. rather than students. Given to Col. William
Legge, governor of Oxford, 1645. A
F5 Charles Gerrard's (Blue Coats) 1st garrison regiment, it probably took no part
Captain's - (system as Apsley's). in field campaigns.
r. Lancs., Ches. and N. Wales.
s. Edgehill 1642. Lichfield, Bristol and First F1 John Lamplugh's Regiment (White or
Newbury, 1643. Relief of Newark, Grey Coats) 1st Captain.
Cheriton, S. Wales, 1644. ? Wales, 1645, r. Yorks. and Cumberland.
Garrison of Oxford. s. Northern campaigns and Marston Moor,
1644 where it was wiped out. This is the
F6 Duke of York's 1 st Captain's - (system only one of the Marquis of Newcastle's
as Apsley's). famous White Coat regiments whose
s. Garrison of Mariborough, 1644. colours are certainly known.
Newbury 1645 where six of its colours
were taken. H2 Unknown 4th Captain, H3 Unknown
3rd Captain, H4 Unknown 4th Captain.
G1-3 Sir Henry Bard's (Grey Coats) These three colours were taken at Marston
Colonel, Lt. Col., 2nd Captain. Moor: some or all of them may have been
The history of this unit, and of its those of White Coat regiments.
commander, is a remarkable one. It was
originally raised in spring 1644 from F5 Unknown Lt. Colonel's colour. Taken by
Yorkshire soldiers sent to Oxford with a Essex's army.
convoy. Shortly afterwards, however, it The arms are those of the family of Martin
was virtually wiped out at the battle of from Yorkshire.
Cheriton, where Sir Arthur Haslerig's
“Lobsters” ‘killed or took every man’. Bard F6 Unknown of old-fashioned type. taken
himself was then taken prisoner, having as above.
lost an arm. Released in 1645, Bard raised
a new regiment with similar colours to the Some other unidentified Royalist colours
old one: it may have been recruited from taken by the Parliamentary forces.
members of the Queen's Redcoats (see
above B 1) and was itself sometimes Taken at Edgehill. 1642.
known as the Queen's Regiment. The new A blue colour with St. George's cross and
unit was no more fortunate than the old one white hawk's lure (as on Sir Bernard
one for, after a spell as the garrison of Astley's colours). Two red colours with St.
Chipping Camden, it was decimated at George's cross and devices of white balls
Naseby, where the colours shown were (as on Sir Lewis Dyve's colours) - perhaps
taken. After the war Bard went into exile, belonged to Lord General's Regiment.
and after various adventures was sent to
the Shah of Persia in 1650 to raise money Taken at Marston Moor, 1644.
for the Royalist cause. He eventually died Eleven red colours, six yellow, four white,
of heatstroke in India in 1656. three green and one blue colour.
 14

Taken at Naseby, 1645.

Four blue colours (a Lt. Colonel's and '1st,
3rd and 4th Captains') the last three having
white stars like those on Hopton's colours.
As well as near one hundred other colours
both of horse and foot'.

Uniforms of some regiments whose

colours are unknown

Sir Ralph Dutton's -White Coats. Sir Henry Tillier's and Robert Broughton's
r. Gloucestershire. Both Green Coats.
s. Edgehill, 1642. Siege of Bristol, 1643. r. 1644 from troops from Ireland.
Greenland House, 1644 ? Naseby, 1645. s. Relief of Newark, 1644. Badly cut up at
Marston Moor, survivors fought at
Sir John Paulet's - Yellow Coats. Montgomery, 1644, and (as 'the
r. Late 1643 from troops returned from Shrewsbury Foot') at Naseby, 1645. [Note:
Ireland. Although clear evidence exists that
s. Cheriton, 1644, Winchester, 1645. Tillier’s had green coats, the evidence for
Broughton’s is unclear].
Sir Matthew Appleyard's - Yellow Coats.
r. as above, Paulet's.
s. Cheriton, Cropredy, Western Campaigns,
1644. Naseby, 1645.
 15

Standards of the English Civil Wars

Charles Kightly describes and Anthony Barton illustrates another colourful selection of
standards for modellers and wargamers; this time, the Parliamentary Cavalry.

During the summer of 1642, both the King and his Parliamentary opponents were busy
recruiting a force of cavalry for the coming struggle; but the methods they respectively
employed were, at first, somewhat different. While the King, from the outset, raised
regiments of horse with a nominal strength of 500, the Parliamentarians began by organising
their cavalry into individual troops. These were each commanded by a captain, assisted by a
lieutenant, a cornet (who carried the standard) and a quartermaster, and included three
corporals, two trumpeters, and a number of troops ranging from the statutory minimum of
forty to an ideal sixty. Each captain was allowed £1,100 "mounting money" to provide horses
and arms for his men of which the captain himself received £140 and the cornet about £50,
while around £15 was considered adequate for the mount and equipment of a trooper. By
the outbreak of large-scale hostilities in September, 1642, about 80 troops had been raised in
this way, including the heavily armoured Lifeguard of the Commander-in-Chief, the Earl of
Essex (recruited from the young gentlemen and lawyers of the Inns of Court) and the 67th
troop raised in Huntingdon by Captain Oliver Cromwell.

The system of independent troops proved to be far from effective in the field, and at the first
major battle of the war, Edgehill (October 23rd 1642), these small units were grouped into ad
hoc 'regiments' composed of about six troops each. Though Essex's (A1-3) and Balfour's (A5-
B2) regiments did well in this battle, the remainder of the Parliamentary horse were no match
for the Royalist cavalry, and were speedily driven from the field. The overall quality of
Parliamentary cavalry during the early part of the war, indeed, was not good and Cromwell
remarked to John Hampden that, "Your troops ... are most of them old, decayed serving men
and tapsters and such kind of fellows, and ... their troopers are gentlemen's sons, younger
sons and persons of quality: do you think that the spirits of such base and mean fellows will
be ever able to encounter gentlemen that have honour and courage and resolution in them?
... You must get men of a spirit ... that is likely to go on as far as gentlemen will go or ... you
will be beaten still ... I did do so ... I raised such men as had the fear of God before them, and
made some conscience of what they did, and from that day forward ... they were never
beaten".

One of the first steps towards the improvement of the Parliament horse was the decision to
organise them into permanent regiments. Cromwell himself had a commission to do so by
the end of 1642, and his single troop had grown to a regiment of five troops by March, 1643,
and of ten troops by the following September, eventually reaching a strength of fourteen
troops or nearly a thousand men. This, however, was an exceptionally large unit, and in 1643-
4 Parliamentary horse regiments more usually contained five or six troops of about 70 men
each. When the New Model Army was established in 1645, six troops became the standard
number (see F, G and H) but these each contained about 100 officers and men, giving a
regimental strength of 600. After 1648, however, the number in a troop was reduced to 80.

From the beginning, each troop on both sides had its own standard which was made of silk,
taffeta or a similar material and was invariably fringed, often in strips of two contrasting
 16

colours. It was about two feet square and was carried on a pole or a specially adapted lance
(see illustration) by the cornet of the troop, a junior officer whose rank roughly corresponds
to that of a modern second-lieutenant. In 1648 he received pay of 4/6d a day, half as much
again as the daily wage paid to an ensign of foot: out of this, however, he had to provide for
his horse as well as himself. As an officer, the cornet would have worn his own clothes rather
than any kind of uniform but, like other cavalrymen, he would doubtless have worn a buff-
coat, pothelmet and back-and-breastplate. The standards themselves, incidentally, were
frequently called "cornets".

In the days of independent troops, the basic colour of the standard depended on the
preference of the captain and, when troops were first amalgamated together, standards of
different hues will have appeared within the same "regiment". This must have made for
confusion, and when permanent regiments came in it is virtually certain that all their troop
cornets were made the same colour, as in the case of Essex's regiment (A1-3). Certainly this
was the rule in the New Model Army, where Horton's regiment (F1-6), if not others, also had
a standardised primary device, with an individual motto and secondary device for each troop.
It also seems likely that regiments kept the same colour of standard and fringes when their
commanding officers changed: thus Heselrige's regiment (B4) kept its green cornets and
green and white fringes when it became Horton's (F16), and Livesey's (B5) passed on its red
cornets and black and white fringes to its offshoots, Ireton's (D5) and Skinner's (H1-6).

Some standards, especially those of generals (A4, E1) or colonels (B3, F1, G1), were of plain
damask silk, but the vast majority had a motto painted on them, accompanied in many cases
by a device: mottoes frequently appeared without devices but not, apparently, vice-versa.
The devices used by both sides were often copied from the woodcuts in books of "Emblems”-
symbolic representations of vices, virtues, and qualities- which had been popular in England
since Elizabethan times. Especially common on the Parliament side, as we might expect, was
the arm and sword issuing from a cloud, symbolising God's help in war (A2, C5, F2-6, G4). The
anchor and cloud, conveying hope in heaven, was used both by Sir Arthur Heselrige (B4) and
Sir William Constable (C3). Conveniently, the anchor was also the heraldic badge of
Constable's traditionally naval family. Another common "Emblem" used was the skull and
laurel wreath conveying "death or glory" (F5), and F2 includes the pelican wounding itself to
feed its young, symbolising self-sacrifice. Apart from these stereotyped Emblems, both sides
adorned their cornets with what can only be described as cartoons (A5, C1, E3, E6), a practice
that seems to have grown up at the time of the Bishops' Wars of 1639-40 against Scotland.
These cartoons depicted subjects religious, political, or just plain insulting to the other side-
for the latter see especially the royalist cornets described in the next article- and were often
extremely complicated.

Predictably, the message conveyed by the emblems, cartoons and mottoes of Parliamentary
standards often concerned religion. Many asserted the righteousness of the cause, including
A3, whose motto may be translated as "We Shall Win with Christ's Leadership and Guidance";
D1 "God with Us"; D2 "Triumph in the Truth"; D5 "Under Christ's Guidance"; E2 "God For Us";
F3 "We Shall Win with Christ's Guidance"; and G2 "if God is With Us, Who Shall Be Against
Us". Others proclaimed the supreme importance of the Bible- "God's Law"- in church and
state, a point then much at issue: such are B2 "The Supreme Law is the people's safety"; C5
where "The Word of God" and "The People's Law' are shown opposed to the Kingly power;
 17

D6, showing the Word of God triumphing over a Papal crown and Catholic rosary; F3 and H4
“For the Gospel". Other religious themes appear in C4, E3, E5 and F6.

At the beginning of the war "political" standards frequently emphasised the Parliamentarians'
declaration that they were fighting, not against the King, but for the just combination of "King
and Parliament" in the government of England: thus B5; B6 "For God, King and Country"; C2
"For King and Truth"; E4 "For the King and the Laws Equally". The desire for a "just peace" is
expressed in A5 "We All Offer You Peace"; D3 (a Biblical quotation); G3 "We Fight for Peace";
G4 "For Peace and Truth"; H5 "Fighting For a Wounded Nation". Others were more belligerent
(A2 "Watch out, we're here" and H6) and C1 is aimed at the Anglican clergy, who wore square
caps like "mortar boards": with the motto "The Square Shall Be Made Round", the soldier is
cutting off the corners of such a cap, changing the "Squarehead" into a "Roundhead"! Most
aggressive of all is E6, a late specimen advocating the execution of the King, an idea not
entertained until 1647.

Some few Parliamentarians used devices of a purely heraldic and personal nature, such as the
Earl of Essex's family motto "Virtue Attracts Envy" on a standard of his orange livery colour
(A1), Lord Grey's ermine unicorn (B1), Constable's anchor (C3) and the black horse badge of
Captain Nelthorpe (G5). Space allows us to show here only about one third of the
parliamentary cornets known: the standards of the independent troops of 1642 are
particularly well recorded.

Key to Illustrations
r = raised; disb. = disbanded; m = merged; s = served; n.d.k. = colour of standard but no devices
known.

The Earl of Essex's Army, 1642-5 Green, 1642; 1st Newbury, 1643; Cornwall,
and 2nd Newbury, 1644. In 1645 it became
Essex's Regiment of Horse part of the New Model, the Lifeguard
A1. Colonel's troop of Lifeguard: r. from becoming Sir Thomas Fairfax's Lifeguard
the gentlemen of the Inns of Court, many and the remainder going into Graves'
of its "troopers" became colonels or regiment.
generals. At Edgehill this troop wore
complete cuirassier's armour like that of A4. Williarn Russell, Earl of Bedford-
Heselrige's "Lobsters". personal colour.
A2. Troop colour. General of the Parliamentary Horse at
A3. Troop colour -Captain Chute. Under Edgehill in 1642, he also besieged
the command of Sir Philip Stapleton, Sherborne Castle in that year, but
Essex's horse served in most of his in 1643 defected to the royalists, only to
campaigns, including Edgehill, Turnham surrender in 1644.
18
 19

Sir William Balfour's Regiment. 1645: afterwards Horton's, see below (F1-
One of the best of Essex's cavalry regts., it 6).
fought at Edgehill, 1642; 1st Newbury,
1643; Cheriton, Cornwall and 2nd B5. Sir Michael Livesey's Regt- colonel's
Newbury, 1644. colour.
A5. Colonel's colour- Sir William Balfour r. Kent. s. Chichester, 1642, Cheriton,
was Lieutenant General of Horse at Cropredy, 2nd Newbury, 1644, became
Edgehill, where he greatly Ireton's in New Model (see below E5).
distinguished himself. Livesey was described by his major as "a
A6. Capt. (later Major) Balfour- son of Sir most notorious coward and a penurious,
William. sneaking person".

B1. Thomas Lord Grey of Groby's troop. B6. Captain Edward Kightly-troop colour.
This troop fought under Balfour at Edgehill, Arrived too late for Edgehill. Killed at
but afterwards followed Grey to the Chewton Mendip, 1643, probably serving
Midlands, where it served 1643-4: also at in Waller's own regiment of horse.
1st Newbury, 1643.
C1. Col. Edward Cooke's Regt- colonel's
B2. Sir Samuel Luke. colour.
The troop fought with Balfour at Edgehill, s. Cheriton, Cropredy Bridge.
but in 1643 Luke became Governor of
Newport Pagnell, Bucks, and his troops Lord Fairfax's Northern Army, 1642-5
operated from there in 1643-5, including
the capture of Hillesden House, Bucks, and C2. John Lambert's Regt.- colonel's colour.
an action at Islip, Oxon, both in 1644. Luke Lambert's cavalry fought in most of the
was also Scoutmaster-General, or head of northern campaigns, notably at Adwalton
military intelligence, to Essex's army. Moor and Hull, 1643; Nantwich, Selby and
Marston Moor, 1644. In the New Model,
B3. Arthur Goodwin's Regt- colonel's Lambert served as Colonel, General and
standard. Cromwell's right-hand man.
Goodwin was MP for Bucks, where his
regiment was raised s. Edgehill, Hants, C3. Sir William Constable's Regt- colonel's
Berks, and Wilts, 1642; Brill, Reading, 1643. colour.
Disb., 1643, on Goodwin's death. Operated mainly in north and east Yorks, in
actions at Bridlington, Whitby,
Sir William Waller's Army, 1642-5 Scarborough, Driffield and Marston Moor,
1644. Constable also had a foot regiment.
B4. Sir Arthur Heselrige's Regt- colonel's
colour. C4. Captain Copley of Doncaster-troop
The famous "Lobsters", so-called because colour.
of their complete suits of armour, were Regiment uncertain, but the troop was at
raised by one of the "Five Members". s. Adwalton Moor, 1643.
with Waller at Lansdown, Roundway C5. James Mauleverer's Regt- colonel's
Down, 1643; Cheriton and Cropredy colour.
Bridge, 1644. Taken into New Model as s. Fairfax's campaigns including Marston
Butier's. s. at Naseby, Berkeley, Bristol, Moor.
 20

C6. Captain Nathaniel Barton of Ludlow served in Essex's Lifeguard (see A1)
Derbyshire- troop colour. before becoming Major of the regiment of
Originally a chaplain, Barton served under the incompetent Hungerford: as such, he
Sir John Gell and Lord Fairfax, and later as defended Wardour Castle, 1643. Later
a major in Scroope's regiment of the New served as a colonel in Waller's army and a
Model Army. general in the New Model.

Forces in the West Midlands and Wales, Various Forces, 1642-5

1642-7
E1. Francis, Lord Willoughby of Parham-
D11. Sir William Brereton - colonel's personal colour.
colour. C-in-C. in Lincolnshire, 1643. s.
Brereton was C-in-C. of Cheshire, and an Gainsborough. Retired in 1644.
excellent soldier. Among his many actions
were Nantwich, Hopton Heath, 1643; E2. Sir John Meldrum- colonel's colour.
Montgomery, 1644; Denbigh and Lichfield, A Scottish professional soldier, Meldrum
1645. served in many theatres of war. At Hull and
Portsmouth, and Edgehill, 1642; Reading,
D2. Sir Thomas Middleton - colonel's Hull and Lincs, 1643-4, Selby, Newark and
colour. Lancs, 1644. Killed at siege of Scarborough,
C-in-C North Wales, he often co-operated 1645.
with Brereton. s. N. Wales, 1643; Oswestry
and Montgomery, 1644. The Earl of Manchester's Army, 1643-5

D3. Thomas Mytton's Regt.- Major Oliver Cromwell's Regt.

Castleton's troop. r. East Anglia, growing out of a single troop
Mytton commanded in Shropshire. s. raised in 1642 to a double-sized regiment
under Middleton and in 1645 took over his of 14 troops. s. Winceby, Gainsborough,
command. Took Shrewsbury, 1645; in 1643; 2nd Newbury, Marston Moor, 1644.
Wales, 1645-7. E3. Captain Swallow's troop-"The Maiden
Troop".
D4. Robert Lord Brooke - personal r. at the expense of the ‘young men and
standard. An influential nobleman, he maidens’ of Norwich, hence the symbolism
garrisoned Warwick Castle in 1642 and and motto “Burning with the care of Zion".
fought at Southern. Killed at Lichfield, E4. Capt. James Berry's troop.
March, 1643, by a sniper. Berry was Cromwell's own lieutenant
before getting a troop of his own.
Forces in Wilts, and Dorset, 1642-5 Afterwards a Major in Twistleton's (see
G2), a Colonel and a Major-general. In 1645
D5. William Sydenham's Regt. -colonel's Cromwell's regiment was split into two
colour. New Model units, half the troops (including
An active soldier, Sydenham was governor Berry's) joining Fairfax's Regt. and half
of Poole and Weymouth, and s. principally (including Swallow's) forming Whalley's
in Dorset. Regt. These two units s. Naseby, Langport,
1645; Colchester, 1648; Dunbar, 1650;
D6. Sir Edward Hungerford's Regt- Major Worcester, 1651.
Ludlow's troop.
 21

The New Model Army 1645-60 Col. Philip Twistleton's Regt. (after 1647).
r. Lincs. by Col. Edward Rossiter, and
E5. Henry Ireton's Regt.- Colonel's colour. fought under him at Naseby, 1645.
Ireton, Cromwell's son-in-law, took over Twistleton, Rossiter's major, became
Livesey's Regt. (see above) in 1645. Under colonel in 1647 and with him the regiment
him it s. Naseby, Bristol, 1645; Oxford, s. Preston, 1648; Dunbar, 1650; Scotland,
1646; Colchester, 1648. Part of it joined the 1653-4; Penruddock's Revolt, 1655; disb.
mutiny at Burford in 1649. 1659.
G1. Colonel's colour.
E6. Thomas Harrison's Regt- Major William G2. Major James Berry.
Rainsborowe's troop (c. 1648). G3. Captain Pearte- s. under Rossiter.
The regiment (formerly Sheffield's) s. G4. Captain Owen Cambridge.
Naseby, Bristol, 1645; Cornwall, 1646; G5. Captain Nelthorpe -s. under Rossiter.
Preston, 1648. Rainsborowe's standard G6. Captain Haines.
urges the execution of the King, with the
motto “Safety of the people is the supreme Col. Augustine Skinner's Regt. (the Kentish
law". Brother of the famous Leveller leader Horse).
Thomas Rainsborowe (or Rainsborough), r. Kent 1647-8. Not strictly part of the New
William was also an extreme radical, Model, it probably contained elements of
dismissed for sedition in 1649. Sir Michael Livesey's Regt. in which Skinner
served. Helped to suppress Kentish rising in
Colonel Thomas Horton's Regt. (after 1648.
1647). H1. Colonel's colour.
Formerly Butler's, formerly Heselrige's (see H2. Captain Owen.
above) s. S. Wales and St. Fagan's, 1648; H3. Captain Peak.
Ireland 1649. H4. Captain Scott.
F1. Colonel's colour. HS. Captain Robert.
F2. Major Thomas Penyfeather-s. as a H6. Captain Gibbons.
captain under Heselrige.
F3. Captain Essex.
F4. Captain John Godfrey.
F5. Captain Elijah Greene.
F6. Captain Arnall.
 22

More colour notes for modellers by Charles Kightly with illustrations by Anthony Barton;
this month, in part 4 of the occasional series, they take a detailed look at the standards of
the Royalist Horse.

The very nickname 'Cavalier' signified a horseman, and the King's cavalry was, from the first,
the most effective arm of his forces: playing a leading role in the Royalist successes of 1642-
44, it eventually met its match in Cromwell's Eastern Association horse, and, after Marston
Moor, was increasingly outclassed by its better equipped and more disciplined Parliamentary
opponents. Essentially feudal and aristocratic in composition, the King's horse had its origins
in the well-mounted troops of volunteers raised from 'noblemen, gentlemen and their
followers' at the beginning of the war. Unlike their Parliamentarian counterparts, which were,
for a time, left to operate independently, these Royalist troops were at once organised into
regiments.

Regimental strength was nominally five hundred, but only prestigious units like the King's Life
Guard or Prince Rupert's Horse ever seem to have reached this target, and in the early years
of the war a normal Royalist horse regiment consisted of six troops of around seventy men
each, a total of about four hundred riders. By 1644, when things had begun to go badly for
the King, even the stronger regiments (like Wilmot's and Prince Maurice's) were down to
three hundred men, and the weakest ones - which had only two or three troops - could muster
no more than eighty; later still in the war, troops were down to twenty men each, and three
or four 'regiments' had to be amalgamated to make up a worthwhile unit.
 23

Regiments were normally commanded by a colonel- who might also be a general, in which
case his position was more or less honorary- assisted by a lieutenant-colonel and a major.
These three 'field officers' also commanded troops- effective control over the colonel's troop
being exercised by a captain-lieutenant – and the remaining troops of the regiment were
headed by captains. Each troop also had a lieutenant, a cornet to carry the standard, a
commissioned quartermaster, three corporals and (in theory, at least) two trumpeters, a
farrier and a saddler.

Though full of spirit and often excellently horsed from gentlemen's stables, the Royalist
cavalry were not always well-equipped, and at first ... 'the officers had their full desire if they
were able to procure old backs and breasts and pots (helmets, either single or triple barred)
with pistols or carbines for their two or three first ranks, and swords for the rest; themselves
(and some soldiers by their example) having gotten, besides their pistols and swords, a short
pole-axe'. Such pole-axes, useful for in-fighting against armoured opponents, seem to have
gone out of general use fairly early in the war.

Body armour was not always worn, and hats frequently served instead of helmets, but
protective leather buff-coats were almost universal amongst the cavalry on both sides. They
were, indeed, probably the only kind of ‘uniform' worn by most horse regiments, though
some cavalry units may just possibly have had coats of a uniform colour, and others may
conceivably have identified their members by like-coloured ribbons or sashes. A troop raised
by the Earl of Newcastle just before the beginning of the war is known to have embellished
its horses with knots of ash coloured ribbon, but whether such fol-de-rols survived the rigours
of campaigning is less certain. Some of the more aristocratic Royalist units- notably the King's
Life Guard, known as the 'Troop of Show'- were certainly magnificently clad, but it seems likely
that these, being gentlemen, would have worn their own splendid civilian clothes. Cavalry
officers, at any rate, did so at all times.

Trumpeters, as in later times the focus of unit pride, wore a distinctive coat with hanging
sleeves. Such coats, like the banners on their trumpets, might well be in the livery colour of
the troop or regimental commander- no doubt they were provided at his expense- and might
also be decorated with his personal device. The trumpeters of Sir Richard Astley's troop,
carved on a panel on his tomb at Patshull, Staffs, certainly have their trumpet banners
blazoned with the pierced cinquefoil (a five-leaved flower) from his family arms.

Over and above unit identifications, Royalists habitually wore red or rose-pink sashes; their
opponents in Essex's army wore orange-tawny ones, and these seem to have been in fairly
general use amongst all Parliamentarians during the early years of the war. There is some
evidence, nevertheless, that Lord Fairfax's northern army wore blue sashes, and rather more
that the New Model - confusingly – adopted crimson ones. Deception was, therefore, a
relatively easy matter, and Colonel Henry Gage's Royalist troopers 'disguised themselves in
Orange-tawny scarves' for their ride through enemy territory to the relief of Basing House in
1644.

To make confusion twice confounded, the cavalry standards (or 'cornets') of the opposing
sides were exactly similar in type, being roughly two feet square and made of fringed and
painted taffeta. Each troop carried one, and the basic colour of standard and fringing was the
 24

same within the regiment. Royalist cornets are far more sparsely and haphazardly recorded
than those of their enemies, for whereas several books of Parliamentarian standards survive,
I know of only one scanty and partially illustrated list made by a Cavalier. Thomas Blount, it is
true, describes the devices of certain Royalist standards in his 'Manner of Making Devices'
(published 1650), but unfortunately fails to mention their colours (see list at end of article).

Most of the cornets shown here, therefore, are trophies taken by the Parliamentarians and
recorded by them. The accidental nature of the survivals makes it impossible to say whether
there was any set rule for differencing standards with Royalist regiments of horse. The
Queen's Regiment (A2-3) seems to have had cornets of the same basic pattern, while Arthur
Aston's (D3-4) regiment used varying numbers of crosses to distinguish between troops, and
those of Sir Horatio Cary (E1-2) at least share the same rude sentiment.

The most splendid recorded Royalist cornets, as one might expect, are those of the King's and
Queen's Regiments (A1-3), and some noblemen appear to have borne their full arms on their
troop standards (B1, D1), a practice unknown on the Parliament side. The vast majority of
Royalist cornets, however (like those of their enemies), display a motto on a scroll, in many
cases accompanied by a kind of 'political cartoon'. The sentiments conveyed are various.
Some express simply loyalty to the crown (A5, B4, B5, D2), or uphold the Divine Right of Kings
(C3, D5, F1). Others hope for peace (B2, C5), but more are belligerent or defiant (C1, C4, E4,
F2, F4) and some specifically abuse Parliament and its supporters (A4, D5, F3). ‘Cuckolds we
come'- an insult which never failed to amuse the Cavaliers- referred to the unfortunate
marital experiences of the Earl of Essex, Parliament's commander-in-chief from 1642-5 (E1-2,
F5). C2, by contrast, was as pious in its religious sentiments as any Parliamentary cornet.

Description of the illustrations

(a) Cornets taken by the Earl of Essex’s 'French' standards honour the nationality
army, 1642-4. of Queen Henrietta Maria, whose regiment
did, in fact, contain a number of
A1 King's Lifeguard of Horse: troop Frenchmen, though it was mainly recruited
colour? from Lancashire Catholics. One of the
This standard is distinguished from all the toughest and most efficient Royalist
rest by its unusually deep gold fringe, as cavalry units, it was formed in 1643 and
befits its special status. The royal device served at Aldbourne and 1st Newbury,
may have been embroidered rather than 1643, Cheriton and 2nd Newbury, 1644,
painted. The regiment served in most of Naseby, 1645. In November, 1645, it was
the principal actions of the war, including decimated at Shelford House, near
Edgehill, 1642, Newbury, 1643, Cropredy, Newark, after refusing to accept quarter.
Cornwall, 2nd Newbury, A2 was probably taken at Aldbourne, but
1644 and Naseby, 1645. A3 (inserted here for comparison) was lost
at Naseby.
A2-3 The Queen's Regiment of Horse:
colonel's colour and troop colour. These
25
 26

A4 Sir John Culpepper's troop- probably Other Royalist cornets taken at 1st
Lord Spencer's Regiment. Newbury (no colours given) were: A harp
The nominal commander of this troop with a crown: motto: 'Lyrica Monarchica'.
served as the King's Chancellor of the An Angel with flaming sword treading on a
Exchequer and was no soldier. His cornet dragon: motto: 'Quis Ut Deus' (probably
was taken at Cirencester on September Col. Morgan's Regiment). One with a
15th, 1643, when Essex surprised and motto: 'Courage Pour La Cause'.
captured two complete Royalist cavalry
regiments, those of Henry Lord Spencer C2 Unknown.
and Sir Nicholas Crispe. The device is, Biblical quotation: arms of Rogers family of
presumably, the Parliament house Dorset.
decorated with severed heads: motto - 'As
it is outside, so it is inside', or more plainly, C3 Unknown.
'Traitors Without, Traitors Within'. Motto: in effect: 'Keep Your Hands off the
Crown, you fool'.
A5 Captain Lumby's troop-probably Sir
Nicholas Crispe's Regiment. C4 Troop colour- Henry Lord Spencer's
Also taken at Cirencester, see above A4. Regiment?
Motto: For the King and the Known Laws of Taken at Cirencester, see A4. Motto: 'Who
England. Follows This Wins'.

B1 Henry Lord Spencer's Regiment C5 Major Wormesley's troop- Sir Nicholas

colonel's colour. Crispe's Regiment.
See A4. Spencer himself avoided capture at Taken at Cirencester, see A4. Religion
Cirencester, but was slain shortly mourning over the destruction caused by
afterwards at 1st Newbury. war. Motto: I Hope for Better Things'.

Note: The following five cornets were all D1 Unknown.

taken at 1st Newbury. Possibly a trumpet banner, and illustrated
with the fly at the top. Arms:? Leigh
B2 Unknown. quartering Minterne, Dorset.
Motto: We Live By This (i.e. peace) We Die
By This (i.e. the sword). D2 Unknown.
B3 Unknown. 'For the King'.
Motto: Always Upon The Square. Obscure,
perhaps expressing a preference for dice (b) Cornets from a muster list of Royalist
over Roundheads. forces, 10th April, 1644.
B4 Unknown.
'Long Live the King'. D3-4 Sir Arthur Aston's Regiment - 1st and
B5 Unknown. 3rd captains' troops.
'God Give the King Both'- i.e. the crown and The colonel's colour of this unit was
the victor's laurels. apparently plain black, and the 2nd
C1 Unknown. captain's troop had two crosses. Aston, an
'It is better to die in battle than to see our unpopular man, was Major-General of
wicked people'. Dragoons at Edgehill, 1642, and Major-
General of Horse in 1643. He was Governor
of Reading, 1643, and of Oxford, 1643-4.
 27

He came to a nasty end after the siege of F3 - 'How Much Longer Will You Abuse
Drogheda, 1649, when his brains were Our Patience' - the lion is the King, the
beaten out with his own wooden leg. The beagles are M.P.s led by John Pym, and the
regiment served at the capture of Bristol larger dog is Kimbolton, leader of the
and at 1st Newbury,1643. opposition party in the Lords and later Earl
of Manchester.
D5 Sir Charles Gerrard's Regiment (A colour taken by the Scots had 'a round
Colonel's cornet. head and axe' with the motto 'Fiat Justitia')
The motto indicates a contempt for
'Round' heads. Regiment served Edgehill, (d) Cornets taken at Naseby, 14th June,
1642, Bristol, 1st Newbury, 1643, Relief of 1645.
Newark, 1644, S. Wales, 1644-5, Rowton
Heath, 1645. F4 - 'I will die rather than turn aside'.
F5 - No doubt the cornet 'which, being one
E1-2 Sir Horatio Cary's Regiment Colonel's of the first colours taken, the word was, on
and Major's cornets. the pursuite, returned to the enemy with
The motto recalls the old gibe at Essex, and much mirth and scorne'.
the creature looking out of the barrel may
be intended to represent the earl's badge Colours of some Royalist cavalry cornets
of a reindeer. This regiment was formerly in April, 1644 (no devices recorded).
Lord John Stuart's, but its colonel was killed
at Cheriton, 1644, and Cary (a turncoat) Earl of Northampton's Regiment - four blue
took over. His command of it was brief, and colours.
it soon passed to the Earl of Cleveland, who Henry Lord Percy's - seven red colours.
led it at Cropredy, Cornwall and 2nd Col. Thomas Howard's - eight green
Newbury, 1644. colours.
Col. Sir Edward Waldegrave's - three white.
E3 Sir George Vaughan's Regiment Col. Humphrey Bennett's - red.
Colonel's comet. Col. Gerald Croker's - two green.
Raised in Wiltshire, this unit served at Col. Neville's, formerly Earl of Caernarvon's
Lansdown, Roundway Down and Bristol, five red, perhaps with same device as F3.
1643, Cheriton and Cropredy, 1644. It Col. Dutton Fleetwood's - red.
probably took some hard knocks and by Sir William Clarke's - three yellow.
1644 was reduced to 80 troopers. Sir Edward Stawell's - two white.
Col. Gunter -two black.
(c) Cornets taken at Marston Moor, 2nd
July, 1644 - all unidentified. Cornet-devices of some prominent
Royalists (colour of standards unknown).
E4 - 'Terrible As An Army Arrayed'. Marquis of Winchester: Motto only 'Aimez
E5 - `Touch Not Mine Anointed Ones'. Loyante'.
F1 - 'The Fourth Shall Be Eternal' - the Marquis of Montrose: Laurel wreath and
three crowns shown are of England, motto 'Magnis aut excidium ausis'.
Scotland and Ireland, the fourth was to be Lord. Capel: Crown and sceptre, motto
a heavenly one. 'Perfectis Simae Gubernatio'.
F2 - 'This Shall Untie It- i.e. The Gordian Lord Lucas: Crown and motto 'Dei Gratia'.
Knot of politics. Sir Marmaduke Rawdon: A spotted dog?
Motto: 'Malem Mori Quam Tardari'
 28

Standards of the English Civil Wars

Dragoons and auxiliaries; more colour notes from Charles Kightly and Antony Barton.

The word 'dragoon', which has come to signify a cavalryman, had a rather different meaning
in the seventeenth century. The 'dragooners' of the Civil War were simply mounted
musketeers- a 'kind of footman on horseback' - combining the nobility of horsed troops with
the steadiness and firepower of infantry. "They ought to be taught to give fire on horseback,"
declared Sir James Turner, "but their service is on foot," and they were organised into files of
11 men, of whom ten dismounted to fight while the 11th held their horses.

Their qualities made them ideal for outpost work and for 'the maintenance or surprising of
straight (narrow) ways, bridges or foords', and on campaign we find them 'constantly
quartered in the van of the whole army'. In sieges their ability to ride to vulnerable parts of
the defences and then assault on foot also made them useful, and Colonel Henry
Washington's Royalist dragoons (7,8) were the first unit to penetrate the outworks of Bristol
in July 1643. Colonel Okey's New Model dragoons (who according to one of their own officers
'were always counted the best men of the army') also showed great enterprise at the taking
of Bath in 1645. Crawling on their stomachs up to the gate, they seized the barrels of the
enemy muskets protruding from its loopholes, which so demoralised the Royalists that they
abandoned their position and allowed the dragoons to set fire to it.

In battle dragoons were generally used to line hedges and ditches on the flanks of the main
armies, or else as a mobile striking force. At Marston Moor, for instance, Fraser's Scots
dragoons began by clearing away a body of musketeers posted in a ditch to impede the
Parliamentary advance, and later joined in the attack on Newcastle's obstinate Whitecoat
infantry- when 'their shot made a way for the horse to enter and put them to the sword.' The
most famous dragoon action of the war, however, was that of Okey's men at Naseby, which
well illustrates the adaptability of this type of troops. When the rival armies came within sight
of each other, the dragoons were stocking up with ammunition some half-a-mile away, but
Cromwell ordered them to occupy a line of hedges at right angles to Parliament's left flank,
and they at once rode to do so. Leaving their mounts with horse-holders they opened up an
enfilading fire on Rupert's cavalry as it charged past the opposite side of the hedge, and then
beat off an attempt by enemy horse to carry their position. Later, when the battle hung in the
balance, they remounted and charged sword in hand to complete the rout of the Royalist
infantry, finishing up by chasing a regiment of regular enemy horse off the field and pursuing
them almost to Leicester.

The equipment and organisation of civil war dragoons reflected both the need for versatility
and their position half way between cavalry and infantry. Their principal weapon, ideally, was
a short musket fitted with a snaphaunce or flintlock and attached by a swivel to a wide belt
slung over the shoulder: it could then be fired from horseback if necessary. In the 1620s these
arms were called 'dragons' (hence 'dragoons') and were stated to have been 16 inches long
in the barrel and of the same bore as a musket: in 1644, however, it was recommended that
they should have a rather wider bore than the infantry weapon. Okey's New Model dragoons
were certainly equipped with snaphaunces, but others, especially amongst the Royalists, had
ordinary matchlocks, which could only be conveniently fired when dismounted. Swords were
 29

also in general use, but pistols were apparently rare. German dragoons are known to have
carried mattocks and spades (to help in the construction of field fortifications) strapped to
their saddles, and no doubt some of their English counterparts followed their example: none,
certainly, would have been without the recommended 'sacke for necessaries'.

Apart from, perhaps, a pair of riding boots, or occasionally a buff-coat, dragoons seem to have
dressed exactly like the musketeers of an infantry regiment. Like these, they will have worn
coats of a uniform colour within the unit but (though Okey's men almost certainly sported the
'Venice red' of their colleagues in the New Model Foot) we cannot discover any reliable
information concerning the colours worn by other dragoon regiments. Officers, following the
normal practice of the Civil War, wore their own civilian clothes.

The horses - or 'nags' - supplied to dragoons are described as 'ordinary', and in some cases
this was probably a compliment. Required only for transport, dragoon mounts were more
likely to be commandeered cart-horses than spirited chargers, and the New Model allowed
for their purchase only half the sum needed to buy a cavalry horse. This inferiority in status
to cavalry was also reflected in pay: an ordinary dragoon receiving 1/6d a day, as opposed to
8d a day for a foot soldier and 2/- or 2/6d a day for a cavalry trooper.

Dragoons were organised into troops, ideally numbering a hundred and ten men each - ten
files, including horse-holders. Five troops seem ordinarily to have sufficed for a regiment, but
the New Model regiment of dragoons had no less than ten. The Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel
(if any) and Major each commanded a troop, the remainder being led by Captains: each troop
also had its lieutenant and its 'guidon' - the dragoons' equivalent of a cornet of horse or an
ensign of foot - who carried the troop standard. Since dragoons mostly fought dismounted,
drums were more appropriate to them than the trumpets of the cavalry, and (in the New
Model, at least) two drummers were attached to every troop. Regiments were not always
employed en masse, being often split up into units of two or three troops and distributed
where their specialist services were most needed. The western Royalist army of 1643, indeed,
attached a troop of dragoons to each of its regiments of horse, and Prince Rupert may have
adopted this practice in the force he led at Marston Moor (nos. 6,15).

As befitted the half-and-half status of dragoons, their standards or 'guidons' were a cross
between infantry colours and cavalry cornets. From the latter they took their small size -
about two feet square - and the fringes which some of them feature. The system of
differencing troops by mottos, used by Wardlaws Regiment (nos. 10-14) was also a cavalry
habit, but dragoons seem more often to have adopted the infantry practice of a plain guidon
for the colonel's troop (nos. 8,14), a guidon with a St. George's cross only for the Lieutenant-
Colonel (no. 6), and a St. George combined with varying numbers of devices for the remaining
troops. Waller's and Luke's Regiments (nos. 1-5 and 16) dispensed with the St. George's cross
and used only devices. What made dragoon guidons really distinctive, however, was their
swallow-tailed shape. In later years dragoons displayed an inexorable tendency to turn into
fully-fledged cavalry, and by the Napoleonic era the transition was complete: the swallow-
tailed guidon followed them throughout, to be carried to this day by such units as the Royal
Scots Dragoon Guards. The true heirs of the old-style 'footmen on horseback', nevertheless,
were the regiments of Mounted Rifles raised for the Boer War.
 30

Auxiliary Troops
Artillery as such carried no standards, and none are recorded for the companies of 'firelocks'-
armed with flintlock muskets to avoid accidental explosions being caused by the lighted
match used by ordinary musketeers- who guarded the various trains of artillery. We know,
incidentally, that Waller's six companies of firelocks wore blue coats, while the two companies
attached to the New Model (unlike their red-clad colleagues in the Foot) wore 'tawny'. Lord
Hopton's Lifeguard of Horse, who bore a gun on their cornet (no. 9) in allusion to his office as
General of the Royalist Ordnance, were of course, an ordinary cavalry troop.

Parliament's navy occasionally landed parties of armed sailors to stiffen the garrisons of
beleaguered coastal towns, most notably at Hull and Lyme Regis in 1644. These wore no
uniform, though grey (rather than blue) coats seem to have been popular amongst
seventeenth-century mariners. The sailors at Lyme certainly carried a standard: this was
probably taken from their ship, and if so is likely to have been rather large, with a St. George's
cross in the top left-hand corner and a field of horizontal stripes in contrasting colours.

Notes on Standards Illustrated.

1-5. Sir William Waller's Regiment of at Edgehill, and, under Col. Henry
Dragoons (Parliamentarian). Washington, distinguished itself at the
This regiment served throughout Waller's storming of Bristol, 1643. Afterwards
campaigns, including the battles of served in the garrison of Worcester.
Lansdown and Roundway, 1643. Despite
this, it was up to full strength of over 500 9. Cavalry cornet of Lord Hopton's
when it mustered in London in September Lifeguard troop (Royalist).
1643. Afterwards served with Waller at Used while Hopton was acting as General
Alton and Basing House, 1643, and at of the Royalist Ordnance, 1644.
Cheriton and Cropredy, 1644.
1. Major Archibald Strachan's Troop. 10-14. Colonel James Wardlawe's
2. Capt. John Clerte's. Regiment (Parliamentarian).
3. Capt. Nicholas Moore's. This regiment, almost entirely officered by
4. Capt. John Bennett's. Scots, served at Edgehill and on Essex's
5. Capt. William Turpin's. campaigns in 1643. Wardlawe acted as
governor of Plymouth, September 1643-
6. Royalist Lieutenant-Colonel's (?) guidon January 1644, and seems to have taken his
taken at Marston Moor. regiment with him.
Rupert seems to have had no full regiment 14. Col. James Wardlawe's Troop.
of dragoons at Marston Moor, but 13. Lt. Col. George Dundas's.
probably attached troops of dragoons to 12. Capt. Alexander Nearne's.
his regiments of horse. 11. Capt. John Burne's.
10. Capt. James Stenchion's.
7. Royalist Captain's guidon. There was one more company, Capt.
8. Royalist Colonel's guidon. Archibald Hamilton's, which had the motto
Both taken by Essex's forces during the 'Bella Beatorum Bella'.
First Newbury campaign, 1643. One or
other of these may well belong to Colonel 15. Royalist major's guidon- taken at
James Ussher's Regiment: this unit served Marston Moor, see no.6.
 31

16. Sir Samuel Luke's Regiment Chinnor, Oxon, during Prince Rupert's
(Parliamentarian)- Captain's guidon. Chalgrove raid, 1643. Three of its guidons,
Raised in Bedfordshire, 1643, this unit had including this one, were then taken. The
an unlucky start, being surprised at books are Bibles.
 32

Standards of the English Civil Wars

More E.C.W. colour notes for modellers; this month, the Scots, described by Brian
McGarrigle and illustrated by Antony Barton.

The Scots entered the Civil War in 1644 on the side of Parliament, having previously (1639-
40) been in arms against the King. In 1648, however, they changed sides and from 1648-51
they were royalist. Fighting for the King the Scots suffered three major defeats. At Preston 85
colours were lost; at Dunbar 146 and at Worcester 159, including the King's own standard.
These flags were sent as trophies of war to the English Parliament who ordered them to be
hung in Westminster Hall where they were carefully recorded and drawn as a "perpetual
memorial to His Highness' (Cromwell's) victories".

Throughout the Civil Wars the standard carried by the Scottish Armies was their national flag,
the St. Andrew's Cross (D2). Unlike the English who placed their flag in canton, the Scots only
occasionally did so (E2-5) preferring to display the saltire in full. This flag, the white saltire on
a blue field, was adapted for military use; the colours of the field and saltire being changed
for regimental distinction (D2-6). The result is very satisfying and must have presented a brave
sight on march or in battle. The "Lion Rampant" on the other hand (B2), was the personal
standard of the sovereign as King of Scots. It could be flown by him alone or by his Lieutenant.
Great respect was accorded to this flag. When raised it was greeted by a salute of trumpets,
and it was such a royal salute, in 1645, that first warned Argyll that Montrose, the King's
Lieutenant, was upon him at dawn at Inverlochy.

Scottish colours were 6 1/2 feet by 6 feet square and were made of silk or taffeta. Some,
however, were smaller and those of Colonel Scott's Regiment were 5 feet 3 inches by 4 feet
4 inches. The colour-staff generally terminated in a spearpoint, from which hung two long
tasselled cords, used to secure the flag when furled. Colours were unfurled in battle - as at
Newcastle, where the Scots stormed the walls with 'flyeing collours and roaring drums' - or
on the march. It was an offence punishable by death to draw sword in a private quarrel 'while
the collours are fleeing', whereas the usual penalty was loss of a hand. Any Scots soldier
capturing enemy colours was to have his reward whether there was 'peace or war hereafter',
and the penalty for not defending one's own colours 'to the uttermost of one's power' was
death.

The battle flags boldly declared the cause for which the Scots fought, though at first there
was little uniformity in motto. At Aberdeen, in 1639, Montrose, while fighting for the
Covenant, carried a flag which bore the legend "FOR RELIGIOUN THE COVENANT AND THE
COUNTRIE" while at the great camp at Duns "everie companie had, flying at the captaine's
tent doore a brave new colour stamped with the Scottish arms and this ditton 'FOR CHRISTS
CROUN AND COVENANT' in golden letters". At the Battle of Newburn in 1640 the English
observed that "embroidered upon their foot colours was the motto 'COVENANT FOR
RELIGION CROWNE AND COUNTRY'. At Fyvie in 1644 Argyll's banner (D6)declared FOR
RELIGION COUNTRY CROWN AND CONVENANT.
 33

In 1648 the mottos began to be standardised, reflecting the Scots new found loyalty to the
King. This state of affairs was confirmed by the Scottish Parliament in 1650 which ordered
that upon the "haill culloris and standardes there be COVENANT FOR RELIGION KING AND
KINGDOMES". This law was closely observed. The army at full strength bore “10 colours to
the regiment and 12 to the major generals". Each regiment carried standards of the same
basic colours (D2-6), command of which was frequently given to those from whose territories
the forces came. This gave rise to one of the many distinct features of the Scottish system -
the liberal use of heraldry. On the colours of both horse and foot there frequently appears
the crest or motto of the colonel. Thus is found the Dove and Snake of Elphinstone (B4), the
Dragon of Dumfries (B5), the Thunderbolt of Carnegie (B6), the Lion of Home (Cl), the Goat of
Tweeddale (C2-3), the Crane And Stone of Cranston (C4), the Lion of Strathmore (C5), the
Maiden of Balfour (E2) and the Double Headed Eagle of Loudon (H4).

The flags of the field officers call for special mention. Extremely popular was the use of the all
white flag to denote the colonel (B3-6, C1-2). This could carry his crest, the national emblem,
the Thistle (B3) or simply be of plain silk. The Lt. Colonel carried an unadorned saltire in the
colours of the regiment The major could also do the same - the "stream blazant" not being
used in Scotland until the Restoration. Several colour systems were in vogue in the Scottish
Army. In the most common the colonel would display his all white flag (C2) but the individual
companies would use the saltire with no attempt being made to indicate the captain (C2, D2-
6, E1). All the company colours in such a system were exactly the same. Sometimes the
colonel would also use the saltire, in which case his emblem generally appeared on it (F1-3).
The difficulties inherent in such a system are obvious and several regiments took a different
approach. One was similar to that as used by the English, devices such as stars being used to
indicate the captain. When the saltire was in canton, these stars were aligned diagonally from
top left to bottom right (E4-5). When, as in most cases, the saltire was employed, the stars
appeared at the crossing, generally surrounded by a wreath (F1-3). Saltires, incidentally, seem
to have been sewn rather than painted onto the flags. A simpler method was the use of a
numeral to indicate the company number (E6).

Lastly, there was a system which seems peculiar to the Scots- the cadency system. In heraldry
a particular charge denoted each son of a family in order of seniority. This could be applied to
the regiment. Thus the eldest son bore a "label": this would be equivalent to the 1st captain
(F6); the second a ‘crescent' = 2nd captain (G1); the third a "star" = 3rd captain (G2); the fourth
a "martlet" (bird) = 4th captain (G3); the fifth an "annulet" = 5th captain (G4); the sixth a
"fleur-de-lis" = 6th captain (G5); the seventh a “rose" = 7th captain (G6). Sometimes the
charge occurs with a numeral as in (G6) where the seventh symbol a "rose" is reinforced by
the number 7.

The Horse
In 1648 the horse was observed to have "7 colours to the regiment and in every regiment
some 500". Such colours could be of very fine workmanship, and, as one Scots captain
complained, "cost a great deal"! The device could be left to the individual captain as in the
King's Life Guard (H1-3) where each captain was given permission to adorn his cornet with
"quhat impresse, rebus or devices they best please, so that they tend to the defence of
Covenant, Religion, King and Country".
 34

Colonel's cornets were of plain silk, a blue colour of this type being taken at Dunbar, or carried
their crest (H4) or arms (H5). Others carried slogans and devices appropriate to the times.
Thus in 1639 when the Scots opposed the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer, the
cornets of the Lady Marchioness of Hamilton's troop bore the appropriate impress of "a hand
repelling a book". Again, in 1648 when the Duke of Hamilton's army invaded England in
support of the King, the Duke's Lifeguard (H6) bore the royal crown and the motto "render
unto Caesar".

The "arm of God", as might be expected, was as popular in Scotland as in England. A blue
cornet taken at Dunbar is a typical example. A gold arm emerges from a cloud grasping a
sword, at whose tip is uplifted the laurels of victory. As with the foot, the colours of the horse
frequently declared the cause for which the Scots fought - COVENANT FOR RELIGION KING
AND KINGDOME.

Key to illustrations
r = raised; disb = disbanded; s = served; dest = destroyed; srnd = surrendered.
Only a portion of the known colours are illustrated here. Particularly well represented are the
flags of Dunbar and Preston.

The Foot

(A1-6, B1) His Majestic's Foot Regiment of (B2) The Royal Standard.
His Lyffe Guardes (Lord Lorne's). Colonel: As the King's Lieutenant, Montrose carried
Lt Colonel: Major 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th this flag throughout his 1644-45
Captains. campaigns. Tippenmuir, Aberdeen, Fyvie
Raised in 1650 to attend the King's person; 1644; Inverlochy, Dundee, Auldearn,
Lord Lorne being appointed colonel. It Alford, Kilsyth and Philiphaugh 1645. At
consisted of 7 companies. As Foot Guards, Auldearn, by his placing of the Royal
the men received 2p a day in addition to a Standard, Montrose drew the Covenanters
normal soldier's wage. Four companies into a trap. Thinking that the standard
were engaged at Dunbar, the other 3 being marked Montrose's main position the
with the King at Perth. At Dunbar the Covenanters attacked, only to be taken in
companies stood their ground but were, to the flank and destroyed.
quote the King, “altogether broken and
most of the officers killed or taken (B3) Unknown Colonel. Dunbar 1650.
prisoner". The colours, however, escaped
capture. Lord Lorne and the Foot Guards (B4) Lord Balmerino's. Colonel.
were on duty in the presence chamber r 1650, destr Dunbar,1650.
when the King was crowned at Stone in
1651. An attempt was made to repair the (B5) Lord Dumfries'. Colonel.
damage of Dunbar by making the regiment r 1648 surnd Preston, 1648 with Lt. Col,
up to 10 companies of 110 men, each of one Capt, 5 Lts, 1 Ensgs, 4 srgts and 44
the "choicest men of the army but it was men.
too late. The King invaded England where
the regiment was destroyed at the Battle (B6) Lord Carnegie's. Colonel.
of Worcester r 1640 s Newburn, 1640 disb 1641. r 1648
srnd Preston, 1648 with Lt. Col, 5 Lts, 5
 35

Ensgs, 8 srgts, and 140 men. This mirror (C1) Lord Home's. Colonel (Berwickshire
image method of writing is a common Rgt) r 1648 srnd Preston, 1648 with Lt. Col,
feature on Scottish Flags. one Capt, 4 Lts, 7 Ensgns, 1 Qrt Mst, 14
srgts and 250 men.
 36

(C2-3) Colonel Yester's. Colonel, England was more afraid of his (Argyll's)
Company. highlanders than any other terror, those of
Unusual in that the colonel's crest is the English that came to visit our camp did
repeated on all the regiment's colours. gaze with admiration upon these supple
John Hay, Master of Yester commanded fellows with their plaids, targes and
the Linlithgow and Tweeddale Rgt. at dorlachs". s Fyvie 1644; Inverlochy, Kilsyth
Marston Moor. In 1648 he was Colonel of 1645. Argyll refused to command the
the East Lothian Rgt. which was engaged at regiment in 1648 which, nevertheless, kept
Preston where it surrendered with 3 Capts, his name. srnd Preston, 1648. Again in
7 Lts, 9 Ensgs, 12 srgts and 50 men. 7 1651 Argyll refused to head his regiment
colours were taken, 6 of type (C3). which perished at Worcester. The colour
illustrated carries the pre 1648 motto.
(C4) Lord Cranston's. Colonel. After this date it carried the standard one.
r 1643 s Newcastle, disb 1647, r 1648 s
Preston, 1648, Worcester, 1651. (E2) Lord Burleigh's. Colonel.
s Aberdeen, 1644, Kilsyth, 1645, destr
(C5) Strathmore's. Colonel. Dunbar, 1650.
r 1650 destr Dunbar, 1650.
(E3) Unknown. Lt. Colonel.
(C6) Unknown. Colonel. Dunbar, 1650.
Captured Dunbar, 1650. An unusual colour,
bearing the devices of 4 families; Wemyss, (E4-5) Unknown. 5th and 6th Captains.
Forbes, Douglas and Sinclair. Dunbar, 1650.

(D1) Tullibardine's (Perthshire Rgt). (E6) Unknown. 4th Captain.

Uncertain. Preston, 1648.
r 1643 s Newcastle, 1644, Newark and
Hereford, 1645; disb 1647. r 1650 destr (F1-3) Unknown. 1st, 3rd and 5th
Dunbar, 1650. Captains.
Preston, 1648.
(D2) Colonel Scott's. Regt-Company
Colour. (F4-6, C1-5) Unknown. Colonel: Lt.
Colonel Scott succeeded his father the Earl Colonel:
of Buccleuch as colonel of the Tweeddale 1st-6th Captains.
Rgt. This regiment was r 1643, s Marston,
York and Newcastle, 1644; Hereford and (G6) Unknown. 7th Captain.
Newark, 1645, disb 1647. r 1650 s Dunbar, Dunbar, 1650.
1650, dest Inverkeithing, 1651 where Scott
was killed. The Horse

(D3-6) Unknown Regiments Company. (H1-3) His Majesties Lyffe Guard. Colonel:
Taken Preston 1648. 6 of type (D3) were Lt. Colonel: Major.
taken. Colours presented 22 July 1650 at Falkland
Palace. The Earl of Eglington was
(E1) Argyll's. Company Colour. appointed colonel, James Livingstone Lt.
This Highland Regiment excited much Colonel. The reverse of the colours was
comment. "It was thought the country of
 37

plain carrying the standard motto. Duke of Hamilton's Lifeguard of Horse

Worcester, 1651. (H6).
r 1648 surnd Preston, 1648. The 'troop of
(H4) Lord Loudon's. Colonel. show' of the Scottish Army. "Duke
Loudon commanded the Glasgow Rgt. at Hamilton himself marched in the van of the
York, Newcastle and Marston, 1644. disb army with his trumpeters before him all in
1645. It is likely that his foot colour would scarlet cloaks full of silver lace like a prince
be similar to the one illustrated here. in state. With the Duke did ride a lifeguard
Dunbar, 1650, Glencairn's Rising, 1654. all very proper and well clothed with
standards and equippage like a prince".
(H5) Argyll's. Colonel. The regiment fought well at Preston. With
r 1644 as it was thought fitting that Argyll Hamilton at their lead they charged the
should be attended by "some companies of enemy three times to cover the retreat.
horse". s Dunbar, 1650.