The English Civil War is something of a blanket term used by historians to cover the series of conflicts which engulfed all the four nations of Britain and Ireland from 1642 until 1651. The war engendered huge change, with England no longer a monarchy, but a republic controlled by Oliver Cromwell by the end of it, and English influence in Scotland and Ireland further strengthened. Civil War battle flags provide an interesting perspective on the military and political culture of the time.
Six to 12 companies of musketeers and pikemen made up the typical English regiment of foot during this era, with each company possessing a nominal strength of 100 men. There was no standing army in England at the beginning of the war, so there was little uniformity across armies. Each company of a regiment carried its own banner, which was usually the same color as their coats.
Each company in such a regiment would carry its own banner, with most having the red on white cross of St George, the symbol of England, as a canton. Each company might make additions to this basic design, depending on the rank of their commander. The colonel's company might carry a banner with a personal mark of their officer, though often this flag was left as plain.
The major's company of the regiment would often have a 'stream blazant' leading from the corner of the canton on its banner. Captain's companies would also add designs to their colors to differentiate them from each other. It should also be remembered that there was often considerable difference between banners carried by Royalist forces and those brought into action by the forces of Parliament.
The additional features which often decorated banners were a reflection of the political and religious outlooks of the troops who carried the colors. Royalist, or Cavalier, designs often reflected the aristocratic background of their commanders, with heraldic symbols often utilized, while Parliamentarians favored plainer symbols or Protestant slogans. Few banners have survived to the present day, so much of this information is gleaned from descriptions and depictions of the era.
An infantry company at the time would have a nominal strength of 100 men, split between pikes and muskets. This was rarely the case though, and there was considerable variety in the caliber and skills of troops across armies, as there had been no standing army before the war. Some regiments were of excellent quality, while others were little better than armed mobs.
Regiments of cavalry also carried their own distinctive banners during the conflict. Cavalry regiments were of two kinds, horse or dragoons, with the latter functioning mainly as mounted infantry during this period. Cavalry colors were often decorated with slogans and personal mottoes, as well as individual devices, with little uniformity.
English Civil War battle flags reflect the military organization of their times, as well as the outlooks and philosophies of the men who carried them into battle. The effects of this conflict continue to resonate across Great Britain and Ireland to this day, lying behind much of the political and cultural threads in British life. It is little wonder then that the battles, weapons and costumes of the conflict continue to be popular with re-enactment groups.
Six to 12 companies of musketeers and pikemen made up the typical English regiment of foot during this era, with each company possessing a nominal strength of 100 men. There was no standing army in England at the beginning of the war, so there was little uniformity across armies. Each company of a regiment carried its own banner, which was usually the same color as their coats.
Each company in such a regiment would carry its own banner, with most having the red on white cross of St George, the symbol of England, as a canton. Each company might make additions to this basic design, depending on the rank of their commander. The colonel's company might carry a banner with a personal mark of their officer, though often this flag was left as plain.
The major's company of the regiment would often have a 'stream blazant' leading from the corner of the canton on its banner. Captain's companies would also add designs to their colors to differentiate them from each other. It should also be remembered that there was often considerable difference between banners carried by Royalist forces and those brought into action by the forces of Parliament.
The additional features which often decorated banners were a reflection of the political and religious outlooks of the troops who carried the colors. Royalist, or Cavalier, designs often reflected the aristocratic background of their commanders, with heraldic symbols often utilized, while Parliamentarians favored plainer symbols or Protestant slogans. Few banners have survived to the present day, so much of this information is gleaned from descriptions and depictions of the era.
An infantry company at the time would have a nominal strength of 100 men, split between pikes and muskets. This was rarely the case though, and there was considerable variety in the caliber and skills of troops across armies, as there had been no standing army before the war. Some regiments were of excellent quality, while others were little better than armed mobs.
Regiments of cavalry also carried their own distinctive banners during the conflict. Cavalry regiments were of two kinds, horse or dragoons, with the latter functioning mainly as mounted infantry during this period. Cavalry colors were often decorated with slogans and personal mottoes, as well as individual devices, with little uniformity.
English Civil War battle flags reflect the military organization of their times, as well as the outlooks and philosophies of the men who carried them into battle. The effects of this conflict continue to resonate across Great Britain and Ireland to this day, lying behind much of the political and cultural threads in British life. It is little wonder then that the battles, weapons and costumes of the conflict continue to be popular with re-enactment groups.
About the Author:
Read more about What Kind Of English Civil War Battle Flags Were Carried Into Action visiting our website.
No comments:
Post a Comment