I've already posted the flags of the later regiment Royal Cantabres but I rather liked the earlier flag too so here it is. I can easily imagine these agile Basque mountaineers scaling some steep rock-strewn slope with the flag held aloft...
Here's the text I wrote for the Royal Cantabres which also describes this unit:
Royal Cantabres began life as Volontaires Cantabres. It was first raised
December 15th 1745 as a light infantry unit in the Basque region. It
was initially a battalion of around 500 but was increased to around 1600
infantrymen and 300 hussars, with 2 cannon, in 1747. It campaigned in
Flanders in the WAS and was at the siege of Brussels and the battle of
Rocoux in 1746. The unit was much reduced in numbers in 1748 then
disbanded in 1749 leaving a small unit of 4 companies. It took the title
of Cantabres-Volontaires in 1749. The four company unit took part in
the French attack on Minorca in 1756 then became one regular battalion
8th July 1757 as Royal Cantabres. It was stationed in Auch in 1757 and
then joined Soubise's Army of the Lower Rhine in 1761. In 1762 it was
part of the French expeditionary force sent to Spain for the intended
invasion of Portugal. 112th in the army list SYW. Disbanded 25th
November 1762. (There is much more detail in the Kronoskaf page on this
unit.)
And this was the uniform in 1757 (from the 1757 MS)
although I have missed off some strange addition to the tricorne which
is impossible to interpret on the MS drawing:
A lovely flag there with the 'flames' making it pop just enough without it being gauche. The uniform is nice to with that light/powder blue colour. So many flags, far too few units!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve. :-) Yes, and many more flags to come (I hope) so even more difficult choices!
DeleteAll the best,
David.
Very nice flag and uniform.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark. :-) It would certainly be a visually striking unit...
DeleteAll the best,
David.
Neat flag but I really want a sky blue-coated unit in my army.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jon. :-) And indeed you should! ;-)
DeleteAll the best,
David.
I do like to see info on the smaller, less well known units. 10/10!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ray. :-) So do I!
DeleteAll the best,
David.
Fantastic flag and uniform David.
ReplyDeleteWillz.
Thanks, Willz. :-) It is a particularly unusual uniform, isn't it?
DeleteAll the best,
David.
I like the blue coats on this regiment and the colour will go well on Spencer Smiths, I have this unit in the pipeline.
DeleteWillz.
Great, Willz. Look forward to seeing your troops and the flag! :-)
DeleteAll the best,
David.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteReally interesting as the coat of arms at centre is from Navarre, not Basque Country, and in addition, Cantabres i understand that refers to Cántabros in spanish, People from Cantabria region (at west of Basque Country, originally part of Old Castile).
Interesting unit indeed. Thanks for your posts!
Thank you! :-) Yes, Navarre has a complicated history, especially its being part of France on and off for some time. It must have made living there somewhat confusing! But, of course, our modern view of compact nation states being "normal and right" is a relatively recent phenomenon and, even in the 19th century, many modern states were divided into many smaller entities that belonged often to distant countries and/or nobles. Confusing indeed!
DeleteAll the best,
David.