An interesting uniform document found on the net.
Some good uniform guides here....
http://members.toast.net/jab/
members.toast.net/jab/pg/bd_ecw_par_v1.doc
English Civil War Uniforms: Parliament 1642 -'45 Ver. 1.00
By Kurtus A Brown (jab@toast.net)
Copyright © 2002 Kurtus A. Brown
Introduction
The uniform details listed below are represenative of 'typical' dress found on the battlefields of the ECW. They reflect the actual appearance of the soldiers as they engaged in battle. It should be noted that even within the same regiment colors and dress could vary- particulary within veteran units. Regimental coat colors seem to remain the most constant.
No account is made of any individual units that would vary from the normal dress listed here. No account is made of the uniform changes adopted by the New Model army. See elswhere for such details.
Reference Aides
See the following books for color plates and further details on the uniforms described below.
Osprey MAA #14: The English Civil War
Osprey Elite #25: Soldiers of the ECW 1 (Infantry)
Osprey Elite #27: Soldiers of the ECW 2 (Cavalry)
The Trained Bands
1). Infantry
The infantry of the trained bands were equiped and organized just like the volenteer infantry. The only exception was their clothing, which was never standardized (ie with regimental coat colors). Instead all trained band troops wore clothing of their own choosing. However, some trained band regiments would distiguish themselves with their hat bands in a regimental color. In addition, there would have been more variance among the members of each regiment regarding equipment.
The London trained bands were unique among other infantry trained bands in that they wore a light-weight buff coat much like cavalry did. This coat was Buff in color and was sleeveless.
2). Cavalry
The same as other cavalry.
The Army of Parliament
1). Infantry Regiments
Pikemen
Headgear: Various types of steel helmet were worn within same unit, perhaps with feathers (black, red, white, or maybe in regimental color). Helmets were often blackened to prevent rust. A knitted wool Monmouth cap was normally worn under the helmet. One might also find an occasional wide brimmed felt hat or montero hat worn instead.
Weapons: brown wooden 15' - 18' pike. The actual length often varried even within the same regiment. The pike would be steel tipped and have steel 'cheeks' extenting 2' from the head. The pike also had a steel ring on the butt end. Would also carry a sword either from a leather bauldric or a waist belt. Various sword designs were in use, even amongest members of the same regiment. They were carried in a brown leather sheath with silver metal fittings. Swords were also of silver metal.
Armor: Steel (often blackened) front and back plate with tassets. Gorgets may also be seen although this is rare by this time. Tassets started to fall out of use in some regiments as well.
Clothing: Coat would be in regimental color and of same type for all regiment, worn under armor. Some common regimental colors were: red, blue, green, yellow, white or grey, black, and purple. Breeches were varied within regiment (there was no regimental standard until 1644, at which point breeches would be in regimental colors). Breeches were tied at the knee with a ribbon in various colors (or matching the breeches color). Common colors for breeches and other garmets were: shades of brown, white, black, red-brown, orange, green, grey, and blue. Undershirts were often white.
Footwear: brown/black leather shoes. White/grey stockings (a grey/white legging was often worn over the stockings as well, looking much like a 'floppy' riding boot).
Other Equipment/Belting: Black, buff/brown leather with silver metal fittings were most common belting. If leather gaunlets were worn they could be grey, buff or shades of brown.
Notes: Often units would wear a field sign so as not to get confused with other units (friendly or otherwise). This could take the form of all members in the unit wearing the same type/color hat feathers, leg or shoe ribbons, hat bands, or sashes. The color of these field signs could be anything, althoug white or orange were common among parliamentary forces.
Musketeers
Headgear: Hat types would vary within regiments. Montero cap or broad-brimmed felt hat were most common (although one might find an occasional steel helmet being worn - often blackened). Some hats often had a hat-band in the 'General's Colors' (or the colors of his officers choosing - orange in Essex's army) and may have feathers (often black, white, red or a combination of such colors, or perhaps in the regimental color would be typical) for decoration (although not common among enlistedd men). Common hat colors were black, grey, and shades of brown.
Weapons: brown matchlock musket with rest, silver metal fittings throughout. Some smaller matchlocks would also be available (without a rest). Would also carry a sword either from a leather bauldric or a waist belt. Various sword designs were in use, even amongest members of the same regiment. They were carried in a brown leather sheath with silver metal fittings. Swords were also of silver metal.
Armor: None.
Clothing: Coat would be in regimental color and of same type for all regiment. Some common regimental colors were: red, blue, green, yellow, white or grey, black, and purple. Breeches were varied within regiment (there was no regimental standard until 1644, at which point breeches would be in regimental colors). Breeches were tied at the knee with a ribbon in various colors (or matching the breeches color). Common colors for breeches and other garmets were: shades of brown, black, red-brown, white, orange, green, grey, and blue. Undershirts were often white.
Footwear: brown/black leather shoes. White stockings (a grey legging was often worn over the stockings as well, looking much like a 'floppy' riding boot).
Other Equipment/Belting: leather bandolier worn over a shoulder. The bandolier would have 12 apostles hanging from its front. The bottom would have a pouch for musket balls; below that a flask for holding powder. Note there were different styles of bandolier in use, even amongest members of the same regiment. Some troops replaced the bandolier with a belt pouch. A snapsack was also common, worn over the shoulder cross-body fashion, holding spare clothing, plunder, food, etc. Black, buff/brown leather with silver metal fittings were most common belting.
Notes: Often units would wear a field sign so as not to get confused with other units (friendly or otherwise). This could take the form of all members in the unit wearing the same type/color hat feathers, leg or shoe ribbons, hat bands, or sashes. The color of these field signs could be anything, althoug white or orange were common among parliamentary forces.
Officers, Musicians, and Ensigns
Commissioned Officers: Normally wore whatever he chose, civilian clothing often. Rank was indicated by a sash (in the 'Generals Colors' - orange for example in Essex's army) worn over the left shoulder across the body, or around the waist, perhaps with gold fringe, and a partizan (with silver-metal fittings and cloth strands near the head in regimental or generals colors ). Would also carry a sword in some fashion. Might also wear a gorget around his neck. Officers may very well wear riding boots as well. Hats were normally of the wide brimmed type, perhaps with feathers (often black, white, red or a combination of such colors, or perhaps in the regimental color would be typical).
Non-commissioned Officers: As for a commisioned officer above except replaced the partizan with a halbred (8' in length typicaly - silver metal fittings and cloth strands near the head in regimental or generals colors). Also carried a sword.
Musicians: Would wear whatever their regimental/company officer would require (ussualy well designed with lots of lace). Regiments had drummers but some could also have fifers as well. Would also carry a sword. Drums themselves were probobly designed according to the regimental commander's whim. Common colors are blue, black, or red rims with red, yellow, or blue fields. Other colors are very much possible, perhaps based somewhat on the colors of the regiments itself, or the field color of the regiments flags
Ensign: Like other non-commisioned officers above but did not carry a pole arm (instead carrying the flag). Ensigns might also be seen wearing a back and breast plate for protection. Would carry a sword as well.
2). Cavalry Regiments
Dragoons
Headgear: Same as for musketeers..
Weapons: Matchlock or snapance carried on a leather crossbelt over the shoulder. A sword was also carried on the waist or on a shoulder belt.
Armor: none or may wear a buff coat (sleaved or sleaveless).
Clothing: Dragoons were paid money to dress themselves, though we do know that one Royalist unit wore redcoats, - and of course so did Okey's. I would suspect that, like most Foot units, they wore basic coats of varying colours. Dragoons were thus dressed as infantry, in uniform coats but colors within a regiment may vary.
Footwear: Tall leather riding boots or normal shoes and stockings (as for infantry).
Horse-gear: As for horse.
Other Equipment/Belting: leather bandolier worn over a shoulder. The bandolier would have 12 apostles hanging from its front. The bottom would have a pouch for musket balls; below that a flask for holding powder. Note there were different styles of bandolier in use, even amongest members of the same regiment. Some troops replaced the bandolier with a belt pouch. Black, buff/brown leather with silver metal fittings were most common belting.
Notes: Often units would wear a field sign so as not to get confused with other units (friendly or otherwise). This could take the form of all members in the unit wearing the same type/color hat feathers, leg or shoe ribbons, hat bands, or sashes. The color of these field signs could be anything, althoug white or orange were common among parliamentary forces.
Horse
Headgear: A variety could be found within units. Blackened steel helmets of various types were most common. One might would also find troops wearing montero hats, or wide brimmed felt hatsas well, perhaps with fethers (as for infantry).
Weapons: The standard weapon was the carbine slung on a leather shoulder strap. A sword was also standard (also slung from a shoulder belt - or from a waist belt) - with a brown lether sheath with silver metal fittings. A brace of pistols was also common (holsters on the front of the saddle). A spiked axe or hammer could also sometimes be found.
Armor: Many different types could be found in the same unit. Standard armor was a buff leather coat (sleeved or sleeveless). A bridle gauntlet would often be worn on the left arm. Breast and back plate would
also be common. A steel gorget would also be common worn over the buff coat or in conjuction with the breast/back plate. Steel Pouldrons were rare but could be worn to protect the riders shoulders and arms. Steel cuisses to protect the thighs could also be worn. Any metal armor would normaly be blackened.
Clothing: individual troopers worne civilian clothing of their choice; there was no uniform as such. See infantry for typical dress and colors.
Footwear: tall thick riding boots made of buff/brown leather.
Horse-gear: red-brown, brown lether belting, saddles and saddle cloth.
Other Equipment: A powder flask was often slung over the shoulder. Cloaks were often worn (or Dutch coats) and could be in colors common among normal clothing. All arms would be required to wear either a sash (worn about the waist or over a shoulder) or scarf in the 'generals colors' (orange in Essex's army). Might instead be in the color ordered by his units commander. Belting was black, buff, or shades of brown. Undershirt would be white. Gauntlets (if worn) would be brown or buff leather.
Notes: Often units would wear a field sign so as not to get confused with other units (friendly or otherwise). This could take the form of all members in the unit wearing the same type/color hat feathers, leg or shoe ribbons, hat bands, or sashes. The color of these field signs could be anything, althoug white or orange were common among parliamentary forces.
Officers, Musicians, and Ensigns
Officers: All officers were normally better dressed then the enlisted men in their regiment. A cossok could be worn. Officer horse gear would be of better quality and may be much more colorful : blue, and red common with gold lacing. May have any of the weapons/armor etc listed for enlisted men.
Cornet: As for officers above.
Musicians: normally wore more colorful clothing than the enlisted men wore. A cossok could be worn. Trumpets were brass and could have a banner hung from it.
3). Artillery
Cannons were made mostly of brass. Gun carridges were of brown or red-brown, with iron fittings. The crew for artillery would be dressed in the same fashion as for infantry musketeers.
4). Flags
Infantry flags were about 6 1/2 feet square, with gold ropes camming off the head of the pole. The head of the pole would have a silver metal spear point.
Every company in an infantry regiment would normaly carry a flag. The normal system was for the colonel's flag to be all of a single color (with no devices of any sort). The lt. Colonel's flag was the same except for St. George's cross (red cross on white field) on the upper corner next to the pole. The sgt. Major's flag would look like the lt. Colonel's except for a small stream blazant extending from the lower right corner of the St. georges cross area of the flag..All of the remaining flags would also be like the lt. Colonel's except with the addition of regimental sybbols in the field of the flag. The first captain's would have one symbol, the second captain two, the third captain three, etc., the same symbol used throughout the regiment.
A variant on this would see the sgt. Major's flag bear a single regimental symbol (in the same manner as described above for the first captain) instead of a stream blazant. In this case the first captain would have the regimental symbols (instead of one), the second captain three, the third four, and so on.
The above method was the most common, although not the only method. See elsewhere for more on flags.
Cavalry followed the same method above except their flag (a guidon in dragoon regiments) was much smaller, about 2' squareand might have edging. Guidons were swallow tailed. Dragoons normaly followed the same design as for infantry. Cavalry more often would not, using slogons, cartoons, and other symbols instead to decorate their flags.
The actual color of the flags field was chosen by the regiments commander and were either: red, white, yellow, blue, green, orange, black, purple, or could be in the regimental coat color. The actual regimental device could also be in these colors (contrasing with the field color) and were often a small dot, various designs of a cross, 5 pointed snowflake or star, and diamond shape.
5). General Officers
Like other officers, they wore pretty much whatever they wanted, including wearing gorgets, breast/back plates, and other pieces of armor. The quality of the uniform would be high.
English Civil War Uniforms: Royalist1642 -'45 Ver. 1.00
By Kurtus A Brown (jab@toast.net)
Copyright © 2002 Kurtus A. Brown
Introduction
The uniform details listed below are represenative of 'typical' dress found on the battlefields of the ECW. They reflect the actual appearance of the soldiers as they engaged in battle. It should be noted that even within the same regiment colors and dress could vary- particulary within veteran units. Regimental coat colors seem to remain the most constant.
No account is made of any individual units that would vary from the normal dress listed here. See elswhere for such details.
Reference Aides
See the following books for color plates and further details on the uniforms described below.
Osprey MAA #14: The English Civil War
Osprey Elite #25: Soldiers of the ECW 1 (Infantry)
Osprey Elite #27: Soldiers of the ECW 2 (Cavalry)
The Royalist Army
1). Infantry Regiments
Pikemen
Headgear: Various types of steel helmet were worn perhaps with feathers (black, red, white, or maybe in regimental color) within same unit (helmets were often blackened to prevent rust). A knitted wool Monmouth cap was normally worn under the helmet. One might also find an occasional wide brimmed felt hat or montero hat worn instead.
Weapons: brown wooden 15' - 18' pike. The actual length often varried even within the same regiment. The pike would be steel tipped and have steel 'cheeks' extenting 2' from the head. The pike also had a steel ring on the butt end. Would also carry a sword either from a leather bauldric or a waist belt. Various sword designs were in use, even amongest members of the same regiment. They were carried in a brown leather sheath with silver metal fittings. Swords were also of silver metal.
Armor: Steel (often blackened) front and back plate with tassets. Gorgets may also be seen although this is rare by this time. Tassets started to fall out of use in some regiments as well.
Clothing: Coat would be in regimental color and of same type for all regiment. Some common regimental colors were: red, blue, green, yellow, white or grey, black, and purple. Breeches were also in standard regimental colors (although the color may be different than the coat color). Breeches were tied at the knee with a ribbon in various colors (or matching the breeches color). Common colors for breeches and other garmets were: shades of brown, white, black, red-brown, orange, green, grey, red, and blue. Undershirts were often white.
Footwear: brown/black leather shoes. White/grey stockings (a grey/white legging was often worn over the stockings as well, looking much like a 'floppy' riding boot).
Other Equipment/Belting: Black, buff/brown leather with silver metal fittings were most common belting.
Notes: Often units would wear a field sign so as not to get confused with other units (friendly or otherwise). This could take the form of all members in the unit wearing the same type/color hat feathers, leg or shoe ribbons, hat bands, or sashes. The color of these field signs could be anything, althoug red, blue, or white were common among royalist forces.
Musketeers
Headgear: Montero cap or broad-brimmed felt hat were most common (although one might find an occasional steel helmet being worn - often blackened). Some hats often had a hat-band in the 'Kings Colors', (Red) or in a color ordered by his unit commander, and may have feathers for decoration (often black, white, red or a combination of such colors, or perhaps in the regimental color would be typical), although not common among enlistedd men. Common hat colors were black, grey, and shades of brown.
Weapons: matchlock musket with rest, silver metal fittings throughout. Some smaller matchlocks would also be available (without a rest). Would also carry a sword either from a leather bauldric or a waist belt. Various sword designs were in use, even amongest members of the same regiment. They were carried in a brown leather sheath with silver metal fittings. Swords were also of silver metal.
Armor: None.
Clothing: Coat would be in regimental color and of same type for all regiment. Some common regimental colors were: red, blue, green, yellow, white or grey, black, and purple. Breeches were also in standard regimental colors (although the color may be different than the coat color). Breeches were tied at the knee with a ribbon in various colors (or matching the breeches color). Common colors for breeches and other garmets were: shades of brown, white, black, red-brown, orange, green, grey, red, and blue. Undershirts were often white.
Footwear: brown/black leather shoes. White/grey stockings (a grey/white legging was often worn over the stockings as well, looking much like a 'floppy' riding boot).
Other Equipment/Belting: leather bandolier worn over a shoulder. The bandolier would have 12 apostles hanging from its front. The bottom would have a pouch for musket balls; below that a flask for holding powder. Note there were different styles of bandolier in use, even amongest members of the same regiment. Some troops replaced the bandolier with a belt pouch. A snapsack was also common, worn over the shoulder cross-body fashion, holding spare clothing, plunder, food, etc. Black, buff/brown leather with silver metal fittings were most common belting.
Notes: Often units would wear a field sign so as not to get confused with other units (friendly or otherwise). This could take the form of all members in the unit wearing the same type/color hat feathers, leg or shoe ribbons, hat bands, or sashes. The color of these field signs could be anything, althoug red, blue, or white were common among royalist forces.
Officers, Musicians, and Ensigns
Commissioned Officers: Normally wore whatever he chose, civilian clothing often. Rank was indicated by a sash (in the 'Generals/Kings Colors' - Red in the case of the King) worn over the left shoulder across the body, or around the waist, perhaps with gold fringe, and a partizan (with silver-metal fittings and cloth strands near the head in regimental or generals colors ). Would also carry a sword in some fashion. Might also wear a gorget around his neck. Officers may very well wear riding boots as well. Hats were normally of the wide brimmed type, perhaps with feathers (often black, white, red or a combination of such colors, or perhaps in the regimental color would be typical).
Non-commissioned Officers: As for a commisioned officer above except would replace the partizan with a halbred (8' in length typicaly - silver metal fittings and cloth strands near the head in regimental or generals colors). Also carried a sword.
Musicians: Would wear whatever their regimental/company officer would require (ussualy well designed uniform with lots a lace). Regiments had drummers but some could also have fifers as well. Would also carry a sword. Drums themselves were probobly designed according to the regimental commander's whim. Common colors are blue, black, or red rims with red, yellow, or blue fields. Other colors are very much possible, perhaps based somewhat on the colors of the regiments itself, or the field color of the regiments flags.
Ensign: Like other non-commisioned officers above but did not carry a pole arm (instead carrying the flag). Ensigns might also be seen wearing a back and breast plate for protection. Would carry a sword as well.
2). Cavalry Regiments
Dragoons
Headgear: Same as for musketeers.
Weapons: Matchlock or snapance carried on a leather crossbelt over the shoulder. A sword was alos carried on the waist or on a shoulder belt.
Armor: none or may wear a buff coat (sleaved or sleaveless).
Clothing: Dragoons were paid money to dress themselves, though we do know that one Royalist unit wore redcoats, - and of course so did Okey's. I would suspect that, like most Foot units, they wore basic coats of varying colours. Dragoons were thus dressed as infantry, in uniform coats but colors within a regiment may vary.
Footwear: Tall leather riding boots or normal shoes and stockings (as for infantry).
Horse-gear: As for horse.
Other Equipment/Belting: leather bandolier worn over a shoulder. The bandolier would have 12 apostles hanging from its front. The bottom would have a pouch for musket balls; below that a flask for holding powder. Note there were different styles of bandolier in use, even amongest members of the same regiment. Some troops replaced the bandolier with a belt pouch. Black, buff/brown leather with silver metal fittings were most common belting.
Notes: Often units would wear a field sign so as not to get confused with other units (friendly or otherwise). This could take the form of all members in the unit wearing the same type/color hat feathers, leg or shoe ribbons, hat bands, or sashes. The color of these field signs could be anything, althoug red, blue, or white were common among royalist forces.
Horse
Headgear: A variety could be found within units. Blackened steel helmets of various types were most common. One might also find troops wearingmontero hats, or wide brimmed felt hats, perhaps with feathers as with the infantry.
Weapons: The standard weapon was the carbine slung on a leather shoulder strap. A sword was also standard (also slung from a shoulder belt - or from a waist belt) - with a brown lether sheath with silver metal fittings. A brace of pistols was also common (holsters on the front of the saddle). A spiked axe or hammer could also sometimes be found.
Armor: Many different types could be found in the same unit. Standard armor was a buff leather coat (sleeved or sleeveless). A bridle gauntlet would often be worn on the left arm. Breast and back plate would also be common. A steel gorget would also be common worn over the buff coat or in conjuction with the breast/back plate. Steel Pouldrons were rare but could be worn to protect the riders shoulders and arms. Steel cuisses to protect the thighs could also be worn. Any metal armor would normaly be blackened.
Clothing: individual troopers worne civilian clothing of their choice; there was no uniform as such. See infantry for typical dress and colors.
Footwear: tall thick riding boots made of buff/brown leather.
Horse-gear: red-brown, brown lether belting, saddles and saddle cloth.
Other Equipment: A powder flask was often slung over the shoulder. Cloaks were often worn (or Dutch coats) and could be in colors common among normal clothing. All arms would be required to wear either a sash (worn about the waist or over a shoulder) or scarf in the generals/Kings colors (red in the Kings army) or in some color ordered by his units officer, perhaps with gold fringe. Belting was black, buff, or shades of brown. Undershirt would be white. Gauntlets (if worn) would be brown or buff leather.
Notes: Often units would wear a field sign so as not to get confused with other units (friendly or otherwise). This could take the form of all members in the unit wearing the same type/color hat feathers, leg or shoe ribbons, hat bands, or sashes. The color of these field signs could be anything, althoug red, blue, or white were common among royalist forces.
Officers, Musicians, and Ensigns
Officers: All officers were normally better dressed then the enlisted men in their regiment. A cossok could be worn. Officer horse gear would be of better quality and may be much more colorful : blue, and red common with gold lacing.
Cornet: As for officers above.
Musicians: normally wore more colorful clothing than the enlisted men wore. A cossok could be worn. Trumpets were brass and could have a banner hung from it. The actual appearance would be determined by the units officer.
3). Artillery
Cannons were made mostly of brass. Gun carridges were of brown or red-brown, with iron fittings. The crew for artillery would be dressed in the same fashion as for infantry musketeers.
4). Flags
Infantry flags were about 6 1/2 feet square, with gold ropes camming off the head of the pole. The head of the pole would have a silver metal spear point.
Every company in an infantry regiment would normaly carry a flag. The normal system was for the colonel's flag to be all of a single color (with no devices of any sort). The lt. Colonel's flag was the same except for St. George's cross (red cross on white field) on the upper corner next to the pole. The sgt. Major's flag would look like the lt. Colonel's except for a small stream blazant extending from the lower right corner of the St. georges cross area of the flag..All of the remaining flags would also be like the lt. Colonel's except with the addition of regimental sybbols in the field of the flag. The first captain's would have one symbol, the second captain two, the third captain three, etc., the same symbol used throughout the regiment.
A variant on this would see the sgt. Major's flag bear a single regimental symbol (in the same manner as described above for the first captain) instead of a stream blazant. In this case the first captain would have the regimental symbols (instead of one), the second captain three, the third four, and so on.
The above method was the most common, although not the only method. See elsewhere for more on flags.
Cavalry followed the same method above except their flag (a guidon in dragoon regiments) was much smaller, about 2' squareand might have edging. Guidons were swallow tailed. Dragoons normaly followed the same design as for infantry. Cavalry more often would not, using slogons, cartoons, and other symbols instead to decorate their flags.
The actual color of the flags field was chosen by the regiments commander and were either: red, white, yellow, blue, green, orange, black, purple, or could be in the regimental coat color. The actual regimental device could also be in these colors (contrasing with the field color) and were often a small dot, various designs of a cross, 5 pointed snowflake or star, and diamond shape.
5). General Officers
Like other officers, they wore pretty much whatever they wanted, including wearing gorgets, breast/back plates, and other pieces of armor. The quality of the uniform would be high.
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