We promised, and so we shall deliver! This is the culmination of the last 4-5 years of work, and means we're now approaching our current best guess as to what the Gatinois may have looked like on campaign in Virginia in 1781. In their debut, the Sergent is wearing his black summer service gaiters. These … Continue reading Kit Update! Le Gatinois on campaign
A Franco-British Exchange? Essex Immersive Event with HM 33rd (The Pattern)
This weekend, our Sergent found himself on something of a cultural exchange, as he joined The Pattern. HM 33rd Regiment of Foot 1770 -1785 for an immersive campaign experience. For any unfamiliar readers, this was a private event wherein attendees lived as authentically as possible for the duration. This meant no phones, limited modern comforts, … Continue reading A Franco-British Exchange? Essex Immersive Event with HM 33rd (The Pattern)
Kiplin Hall – 1776 Live!
C'était super! What an amazing weekend spent at Kiplin Hall with our comrades in Redcoats and Revolutionaries for #America1776Live. Our smaller military turnout, with our usual training/drill/shooting displays, was supplemented by the staff of The Parrot & Cocoa Tree Coffee House - 1781 talking about coffee and food all day, and making our own butter … Continue reading Kiplin Hall – 1776 Live!
Guillaume and his Drum
We've recently received this wonderful photo from Martina Cammerata Photography from our trip to Versailles in July, featuring our dear friend and peloton tambour Guillaume! We've been thrilled to work with him this year, and we thought it a good time to address the obvious question: what did #18thcentury French drummers wear? As you can … Continue reading Guillaume and his Drum
Soldats Gathering in their Masses
Religion was integral to eighteenth-century French society, and the same was true of the military! Owing to the fact that a large part of the authority of the French monarchy's absolute rule stemmed from its dedication to Catholicism, it is perhaps unsurprising that Protestants were not recognised in eighteenth-century France. Louis XIV's 1685 Edict of … Continue reading Soldats Gathering in their Masses
Leadership in Battle
In the chaos of battle, soldiers looked to their Officiers and Bas-Officiers (or NCOs in English) for leadership, support, and alignement! This wonderful photo by Katie events Photography also highlights the most obvious distinctions between regiments in the French army: facing colour of lapels and cuffs. The violet of le Gatinois contrasts visibly with the … Continue reading Leadership in Battle
New Acquisitions!
Why do I need two coffee pots? One for getting grubby on the fire, and another for serving coffee to guests at table, of course! Beautiful coffee pots by Master Tinner Steve Delisle
The Parrot & Cocoa Tree @ Chateau de Versailles
Along with our soldats, the America250 event at the Château de Versailles also played host to our civilian wing! We were incredibly glad to have so much interest from the French public (and reenactment community!) in hot beverages, food, and discussions of luxury consumption in the 18th century Photos by kind permission of Katie events … Continue reading The Parrot & Cocoa Tree @ Chateau de Versailles
Community across the Channel
Twice this year we have been privileged to deploy as part of a combined force of more than 70 reenactors of Ancien Regime France. Historical reenactment is so much about people, and it has been our pleasure to build professional and personal relationships with so many wonderful people across the channel! Photo credit to Sortiraparis.com, … Continue reading Community across the Channel
Avant la bataille / before battle
Un fusilier du Saintonge et un grenadier du Gatinois / a fusilier of the Saintonge Regiment and a grenadier of the Gatinois Regiment, featuring La compagnie la Courbière Photo by kind permission of Katie Marshall / Katie Reenactment Photography
