We’re absolutely thrilled that High Peak 1 got this footage of us drilling during #buxtongeorgianfestival at Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. The soldats are demonstrating the Stechschritt (or “piercing step”) which was becoming progressively more popular across Europe in the mid-late eighteenth century, as a result of Prussian successes under Frederick the Great. Its obvious impracticality on the battlefield meant that it only saw use on parade grounds (if at all).
More generally, the French of this period had three paces: ordinaire (70bpm); de route (90-100bpm); de manoeuvre (120bpm). In the field, these would more usually resemble, in the words of the late great Christopher Duffy, “a stately walk”.
Nonetheless, this footage demonstrates the importance of cadenced marching for keeping a body of men in cohesion – something which had only been in the European military lexicon since the 1720s. And we think you’ll all agree that, although not often useful, the hard work practicing it definitely pays off!
Cover image by kind permission of Matt Armett
Le Régiment Gatinois 