The so-called 'Blue Guard' were the fourth regiment in the Dutch Army, their proper regimental title according to the Het Staatse Leger was Infantry Regiment nr4 Nassau-Saarbrucken. The regiment consisting of three battalions was commanded by Colonel Ottweiler. It was deignated as a Royal Regiment and therefore wore the livery of the House of Orange which consisted of a blue coat with orange cuffs, hence the nickname. Most of the Dutch Infantry at this time wore grey.
It came to England with William of Orange and distinguished itself in Ireland at the Battle of the Boyne, it also took part in other famous battles like Blenheim (Höchstadt), Malplaquet and Oudenaarde. With the foundation of the Dutch Republic the regiment adopted a more Prussian style uniform rather than the French style it wore earlier and its cuffs and lapels changed from Orange to Red.
