 Infantry
Musketeer, 1650-60. Dutch
This Dutch musketeer retains the musket rest, which had been
discarded in England during the Civil Wars, and wears a kind
of pot helmet of a kind rarely seen in England after 1642.
His baggy breeches and long cassak, worn over a short doublet,
were fashionable in the 1650's and early 1660's. From Memorie
der Particuliere Exercitie by Johan Boxel. |
 Arms
and Ammunition Wagon Escorted by Soldiers. French
From the time of the Fronde. Note the lack of uniformity
in the several types of polearm; and the rooster on the wagon!
This is the sort of force Louis inherited in 1661. Print from
Collombon's Trophée d'armes published in Lyon
in 1650, reprinted 1660. |
 Charles
II's departure from Scheveningen in Holland in May 1660.
The painting (below) is usually said to show red-coated British
Foot Guards. However, the etching of the same scene by Nicolaus
Visscher (above) identifies these soldiers as Dutch. The painting
copies the engraving. The artist may have chosen to paint
the soldiers coats red, the colour he saw being worn in London. |
 Pikemen
of the early 1660's. Dutch
These Dutch pikemen retain their helmets, back and breast
plates, with short 'tassets' protecting the thighs. In England
armour was discarded during the Civil Wars but there were
efforts to reintroduce it during Cromwell's rule. From the
Dutch manual Drilkonst by Hendrik van Buren. |
 A
Troop of the Horse Guards at Charles II's Coronation in 1661.
English
An oil painting of the event shows tiny figures of a troop
in buffcoats although an account from some years later observed
a troop in short red jackets. The buff coats or jackets worn
by this troop under their back and breast plates have many
tabs or skirts, and are decorated with metal or lace strips
on the sleeves. From an engraving by Wenceslas Hollar. |
 Soldiers,
later 1660's. English
Although in a book published in 1689, the soldiers depicted
here are dressed in the style of the late 1660's. The pikemen
in the background still wear helmets and full armour. The
officers have short coat sleeves reaching to the elbow, and
except where constricted by the cuirass, wear their long,
knee length coats open. The central officer seems to have
a short waistcoat under his coat. From Military Disciplines
or the Art of War by J.S. |
 The
Siege of Tournai 1667. French
From a print after the painting by Lebrun, showing the French
in the trenches before the city. In the foreground is a pikeman,
probably from a Swiss unit since he has arm cops and tassets.
Soldiers are mostly in grey and a servant in the royal livery
holds the king's horse. |
 Soldiers
in Tangier 1669. English
These tiny figures in an etching by Hollar from sketches made
at Tangier in 1669 show that the knee-length French style
coat had already been introduced into the English army. The
coat has buttons all the way down to the hem, wide turnbacks
on the sleeves, and is worn open under a bandolier and sword
baldrick, both some four inches wide. From Divers Prospects
in and about Tangier, exactly delineated by W. Hollar, His
Majesties Designer, AD1669. |
 Soldiers
in Tangier 1669. English
An engraved view of the Tangier Colony made from watercolours
painted by Hollar on a visit in 1669. The Two officers wear
knee-length coats over short waistcoats with baggy knee-length
breeches. The original Hollar watercolours show officers
wearing grey clothing unlike the red of common soldiers. It
has been suggested that this was light 'tropical' uniform.
Though the cloth may have been lighter in weight, the cut
was much the same as that worn in England. From Divers
Prospects in and about Tangier, exactly delineated by W. Hollar,
His Majesties Designer, AD1669. |
 Soldiers
in Tangier 1669. English
Detail of the previous picture. From Divers Prospects in
and about Tangier, exactly delineated by W. Hollar, His Majesties
Designer, AD1669. |
 Officer
in Tangier 1669. English
An officer wearing a knee-length coat over a long waistcoat
with baggy knee-length breeches. His clothing is decorated
with many ribbons and bows. From Divers Prospects in and
about Tangier, exactly delineated by W. Hollar, His Majesties
Designer, AD1669. |
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