We promised a post about gaiters, and so we deliver! 3 pairs might seem excessive, and it certainly produced a lot of work with 20-24 buttons and button holes per leg, but having the options was to both spread the wear and prepare a soldat for the whole year. This winter pair would have seen … Continue reading Uniform – Gaiters!
Moira Furnace – 6th & 7th July 2024
We're very swiftly approaching our first ever event! On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July we'll be hosted at Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park by Virginia Continentals UK 1775 - 1783, and joined by a whole host of other units including Redcoats and Revolutionaries (though sadly mostly in red). It's looking like a busy … Continue reading Moira Furnace – 6th & 7th July 2024
Re-enactment is a topsy-turvy world
Re-enactment is a topsy-turvy world, where people portray peasants and princes as much as their imagination (and wallets) desire. This also makes for a world in which those who are French…aren’t. This is therefore a challenge – how does one portray someone in a different language? All the sources relating to our regiment, such as … Continue reading Re-enactment is a topsy-turvy world
Le bonnet de police en forme de Pokalem (fatigue cap in the shape of a “pokalem”)
As we begin eagerly ticking down the days towards our first event, and work continues on a whole menagerie of this impression, we thought we'd also share a little bit about the next item of kit on our list: le bonnet de police en forme de Pokalem (fatigue cap in the shape of a "pokalem"). … Continue reading Le bonnet de police en forme de Pokalem (fatigue cap in the shape of a “pokalem”)
What’s in a name? Quite a lot actually!
Unlike the British Army, where upon joining a regiment a soldier might be allocated a service number (it wasn't until 1920 that these were standardised across the whole army), the French Royal Army assigned each new recrue a "nom de guerre" - literally a "name of war". This would be based upon a soldat's surname, … Continue reading What’s in a name? Quite a lot actually!
Training in the French Army
The #18thcentury French Army had two ways of preparing soldats to fire. When training, particularly as a small escouade, the orders would be given slowly and clearly, to ensure that all soldats knew what to do: 'Apprêtez vos armes. En Joue. Feu." However, on the battlefield, with gunsmoke and cannon fire all around, bataillons would … Continue reading Training in the French Army
Uniform – Vestes (sleeved waistcoats)
As the first impression of the French Army during the #RevWar in the UK, it is essential to set a high standard for all our kit and equipment. At present our main priority is, of course, uniforms! These are grounded in the Reglementes, consultation with historians and researchers, and produced in partnership with some incredibly … Continue reading Uniform – Vestes (sleeved waistcoats)
2024 Season Events
With work on drill, uniform, and other research into the impression underway, we're very excited to confirm when you can see us in 2024. These are: 6th – 7th July, "American Independence War Weekend", Moira Furnace Museum, Leicestershire 21st – 22nd September, Oakwell Hall, West Yorkshire And we're recruiting! If you're interested in experiencing the … Continue reading 2024 Season Events
Key equipment – gibernes!
Presenting one key item of equipment for warfare in the eighteenth century: our gibernes (cartridge pouch for you Anglo types), supplied by Historical Military Accoutrement Reproductions. Ours conform to the 1767 Reglemente (Warrant) - more on this soon! - and have space for at least 30 cartouches (cartridges) inside and on top of the internal … Continue reading Key equipment – gibernes!
Le Régiment Gatinois 