The second of our pre-season training and drill sessions was made even more special by the presence of some new items of uniform! Not only did we have more habites, but our newly elevated sergent was able to test out the first of our vestes to be made in linen (more on that to come). … Continue reading Spring Training #2
Pre-season Reading
Inspired by our frenemies in 17th Regiment of Foot 1775-83, here's some of our pre-season revising! What have you been reading for your research? Or what's on your wish list?
Spring Training #1
Photos taken from our latest drill day! Training like this is essential at this point in the year as we prepare for the first of our events in the coming months. Not only is it a chance to refresh some key concepts (such as the chargez en douze temps/firing in twelve times), but also a … Continue reading Spring Training #1
Just Marching About?
https://videopress.com/v/0YIQMywA?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true 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 … Continue reading Just Marching About?
Summer Training Weekend 2025
Following a cancellation in our public events calendar, a small group of le Gatinois met for a wonderful time sewing, drilling, trying out some new period card games, and otherwise generally enjoying each others' company. After all, why do we do this hobby if not to make new friends? And if you want to join … Continue reading Summer Training Weekend 2025
Portez vos armes!
As illustrated here in this wonderful photo captured by Daz's Photography, French soldats only ever carried their muskets on their left shoulder, whether at the "portez" or "au bras" positions. By contrast, a French Officer or "bas Officier", a supernumerary NCO such as a sergent or a caporal acting as a sergent, always carried their … Continue reading Portez vos armes!
AGM and Training 2025
We had our AGM this weekend, with a few fun notices coming soon! In the meantime we thought you'd like to see how even the smallest space can be used to work on the essentials of l’Ecole de Soldat (the school of the soldier). Marching is a difficult art for those of us in the … Continue reading AGM and Training 2025
Training the soldats is a tricky business!
The Ordonnance suggests teaching men in threes (to form a full file), but our smaller numbers means the Caporal can spend time making sure we're each getting it right individually... Photo by kind permission of Emma Jayne
Mid-season training weekend 2024
We're just reaching the end of our first mid-season training and sewing weekend. Accompanied by liberal applications of Hornblower, and plenty of caffeine, we've worked hard on practicing the 1776 Ordonnance *and* on beginning to construct our interpretations of contemporary shirts! More on that soon. If you want to join our sectione of Louis XVI's … Continue reading Mid-season training weekend 2024
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
Le Régiment Gatinois 