Portuguese Infantry Flags of the 18th Century - Batch 5

And here are the last 18th century Portuguese flags which I have created. These flags are shown on the Tavora execution painting of 1759 and are arguably the most authentically SYW of all these flags. Sadly, they are also, to my mind, rather bland and ugly! The white and green flag is carried by troops in white coats lined white with red lapels and cuffs, white waistcoat and breeches, brown gaiters. The yellow and green flag is carried by troops with blue coats lined blue with red lapels and cuffs, white waistcoat, blue breeches and brown gaiters. The officers, including the ensigns carrying the flags, have gold metal gorgets.

Next time I'll be back to posting French or Prussian flags.

Portuguese Infantry Flags of the 18th Century - Batch 4

Here is batch 4 of the Portuguese flags; first the typical SYW flag as recreated by Kronoskaf in the Braganza colours of green and white with the coat of arms in the centre:

The second flag is a Portuguese cavalry standard and is my interpretation of one I spotted being carried by a blue-coated cavalry regiment at the far left of the Tavora execution painting. Part of it is obscured by smoke and that is where I have had to assume the crown on the top of the cartouche. The colour of the outer part of the Braganza coat of arms also appears on the painting to be yellow rather than red, which does not make sense as I have never seen any version of the coat of arms with anything other than a red surround. Kronoskaf suggests that standards probably carried the cipher or coat of arms of their colonel; this one clearly did not, at least on the visible side of the standard. So, despite all the unanswered questions this depiction raises, this is my version of a Portuguese SYW cavalry standard.

Portuguese Infantry Flags of the 18th Century - Batch 3

And here are the final flags of the earlier part of the century - but probably also carried later in the century. Both have the arms of the House of Braganza in the centre:

The last infantry flags, which I shall post soon, will be the version from the SYW as recreated by Kronoskaf and the two I have recreated from the 1759 Tavora execution painting. On closely examining a decent quality digital version of the Tavora painting I have spotted what is almost certainly a Portuguese cavalry standard, and I shall recreate that and post it too.

Portuguese Infantry Flags of the 18th Century - Batch 2

Here are the next two flags, again early 18th century but probably used later;

The first one has the arms of the House of Braganza, like the Aramada Tercio flag of the first batch. It has crossed sceptre and sword. The rather obscure motto in the scroll "Ius Dedit Et Dabit Uit" means something like "The law gave and will give [?life - assuming uit is actually Latin vit (for vitam)]. Green and white were the colours of the Portuguese ruling House of Braganza.

The blue and white flag is possibly that of the Regiment of Lisbon, whose colours these were.