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
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
The Importance of Living History
We are firm believers that Living History is a powerful tool for education. Research of primary sources and secondary literature is all well and good - but a large part of why we do this is to engage with the wider public, and to talk about the experiences of those humans who came before us. … Continue reading The Importance of Living History
Morning Inspection
Inspecting the men was a tireless job! Every officer (commissioned and non-commissioned) performed the task (to varying degrees), from a Caporal up to Chef de Battallon - and indeed even higher. In this case, our Sergent is examining the sectione's havresacs for missing items...or contraband. This poor recrue appears to have lost his havresac entirely! … Continue reading Morning Inspection
Marching in Step?
Contrary to popular belief, it was not common for eighteenth-century armies to march fully formed and in step. Contemporary military theorists all agreed that it achieved nothing - other than tiring the men (and the drummers) out unnecessarily. More commonly, once a formation was en route, the soldats would be ordered to carry their arms … Continue reading Marching in Step?
Descendez vos armes / Lower your arms
Although not in the 1776 Ordonnance du Roi, a practical and period solution to the need to lower muskets whilst in wooded areas! Photo by kind permission of Skipping Red Panda
Sergent’s “Stripes”
The main distinguishing feature of our new sergent's impression is the lace band around his forearm. The 1779 Reglemente says that his lace should be "a simple silver braid on the forearm," nothing that to make it stand out more on the white uniform it should be piped in the facing colour. For ours, that … Continue reading Sergent’s “Stripes”
Making Cartridges – Part 3
Welcome back- at last we've assembled our cartouches and loaded the giberne! And how, you might ask? With the template cut out... ...we place a lead ball in the top of the mandrel, and then roll it into the paper. We use the "hole" in the table to secure the paper around the ball. Then … Continue reading Making Cartridges – Part 3
Making Cartridges – Part 2
The next step in our reproduction cartouche (cartridge) making is the necessary implements to shape them! The instructions that we are following, which were issued in 1777 to the officers in charge of ammunition manufacturing, state that you need: - a "wooden mandrel, 7 inches long and 6 lines 9 points in diameter; these must … Continue reading Making Cartridges – Part 2
Le Régiment Gatinois 