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Friday, 14 February 2025

Guidons of the Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons) c.1690-1715

Percy Sumner, in his article (with J. O. Dalrymple) UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT OF THE ROYAL SCOTS GREYS PART I—1678 TO 1751 in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol. 15, No. 59 (Autumn, 1936), pp. 151-170, quotes from the letters of Colonel Lord John Hay of January 1705 describing the regimental standards as "embroidered upon blue damask" with blue staves. Sumner then goes on to say that, of course, the standards of dragoons were guidons. He speculates that they probably bore the white saltire of St Andrew before the Union with England in 1707 and that the mention of embroidery suggests a badge placed on them, "most likely the Thistle and Crown, with the motto "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" in the centre". This is my reconstruction of the guidons based on that description.




I am not entirely convinced by the mention of the white saltire so I have done two versions, one with and one without. These can be regarded perhaps as the pre and post 1707 versions, if you so wish, or use the version without the saltire for the whole period!

And a detailed account of the regiment can be found here: http://kronoskaf.com/wss/index.php/Scots_Dragoons

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful looking guidons David, the blue is lovely really "pops", really interesting read as well.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Donnie. With many flags of this period the information is sketchy, to say the least, and some sort of reconstruction is the only way! :-)

      All the best,

      David.

      Delete
  2. Lovely work as always David, but the saltire doesn't work for me due to the shape of the guidon. I much prefer the simplicity of the first version.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Steve. :-) I tend to agree with you on that but felt I should offer the two alternatives. I also feel that these early British guidons do look rather lopsided, somehow. Much prefer the later shape!

      All the best,

      David.

      Delete

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