Are you interested in the 18th century In French history If you're looking for something new to do at the weekends, Le Régiment Gatinois might be the choice for you. And no, you don't have to be able to speak French! We are a UK (predominantly Yorkshire) based living history group who portray the grenadier … Continue reading Join us!
On This Day – 14th October 1781
Octobre 14, 1781. Having besieged Yorktown for several weeks, grenadiers of le Gatinois are part of the assault force on Redoubt 9. In conjunction with men from Le Régiment de Deux-Ponts, raised in the Rhineland for French service, le Gatinois attacked the fortification and took it at the point of the bayonet. Wilhelm Graf Von-Schwerin, … Continue reading On This Day – 14th October 1781
Oakwell Hall Country Park
Back from an amazing weekend at Oakwell Hall Country Park, garrisoning the Batt family property in Virginia against les rosbifs. It was good to work further on the details of L'ordonnance de sa Majesté, to demonstrate how the French army co-operated with American civilians and military forces, and we got to talk to a lot … Continue reading Oakwell Hall Country Park
Who’s in charge?
Knowing who's in charge in a military formation is crucial, and in the #Frencharmy of the 18th century this was no different. For NCOs, unlike the British, rank was fairly obvious. Our Caporal here is shown with his mark of rank: 2 blue bands of lace around the forearm. Sergents wore one silver band, and … Continue reading Who’s in charge?
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
On This Day – 6th February 1778
#OnThisDay, 6th February, in 1778; two Franco-American "treaties of Alliance" are signed. The first is a commercial agreement, establishing trading links between France and the United States; the second is a military pact, in case the British wished to begin hostilities. Not only did this open the door for other European nations to become involved, … Continue reading On This Day – 6th February 1778
Le Régiment Gatinois 