For the sake of completeness - "I've Started So I'll Finish... ;-) - here are the flags of the last of the five French infantry regiments destroyed at Blenheim. Yes, they are sadly "vanilla" and nowhere near as interesting as the flags of the previous four regiments. And we do not even know the details of the uniform nor can I discover where in the Franco-Bavarian battle line they were positioned. But it is sobering to think that these flags were perhaps the last thing some of those poor devils saw in the centre of the regiment as it was wiped out by the Allied attack...
But now see below; this unit was not at Blenheim and not in fact destroyed!
First raised 18th January 1702 by the Comte de Franquières
1704 Not In Fact Destroyed at Blenheim!
Uniform unknown
UPDATE (from comment by an Anonymous Correspondent with seriously useful connections :-)):
"AND THE ANSWER IS! This regiment first formed part of the garrison at Belfort in 1703 and then became part of the garrison at Old Breisach when the French took it that same year (M de Regnac Commanding, Foix Infantry (2 bns), Franquieres (1) and D'Anlezy Horse (2), remaining there until it was disbanded end of year 1704. The Allies actually tried to retake the town in November that year, but were driven off, Franquieres taking heavy casualties and losing a color. Upon disbandment its soldiers were used as a replacements for the Foix Regiment. AND FOR THE RECORD, when the British had their victory parade in London, January 1705, all trophies were officially credited as having been taken at 2d Hochstadt [Blenheim] whether they were at the battle or not. Thus, Franquieres was given battle credit for 2d Hochstadt [Blenheim] (as in the campaign), but was not physically on the battlefield. It was at Breisach."
And expert Iain Stanford writes further:
"Hi All,
I
thought I would add to this discussion since my initial assumption that
this regiment was disbanded in 1704 was incorrect. I looked further,
via Pelet and Vault Vol V and the records of the Hotel des Invalids.
Franquieres is still recorded as part of the garrison of Breisach in May
1705 (Pelet Vol 5 Page 775 - AH Vol 1844 no 106)
The Hotel
d'Invalids https://www.hoteldesinvalides.org/format_liste.php records 11
admissions of soldiers who served in the Regiment of Franquieres. Have a
look at the link and type in the name. There are 2 direct admittances
from the regiment:
December 19, 1704
Jean Vallier, known as
Dragon, aged 62, born in St Vallier [26333] in the diocese of Vienne in
Dauphiné, soldier of Lord Du Sauset, Regiment of Franquieres, where he
served for 3 years, previously 9 years in the King's Dragoons, 15 years
in Vermandois, and 5 years at sea. All this is shown by his certificate.
His weakness of sight, together with his other inconveniences, put him
out of service, and is a Catholic - soldier.
June 19, 1705
Denis
Auger known as La Fumée, aged 60, Born in Erricy near Fontainebleau,
Soldier of the Sieur de Scot Regiment of Franquieres, where he served 3
years, previously 14 in the Regiment of the King, and 16 years in Artois
and La Motte, All of which is supported by his Certificate, his decent
together with his injuries and other inconveniences put him out of
Service, and is Catholic - Soldier - April 5, 1717. He died.
6 men
later served in the regiment of Franclieu (Susane 1305) - a regiment
raised at the same time (1702). La Londe/Franclieu/Bouzy served on the
Rhine from 1702-5 and moved to Flanders in 1706.
Marlborough Goes
to War was published over 20 years ago, and needs to be updated as I have
additional data on the battle. [That volume can be bought from the Pike And Shot Society website for only £8 plus postage: https://pikeandshotsociety.org.uk/store-2/?model_number=-Marlborough-Goes-to-War ] I am currently researching Malplaquet,
the orders of battle and casualties.
I hope you find this of use."
Very useful! Many thanks to Iain for that.
I have found this series of flags really interesting, a plainish one here but very nice none the less, and not knowing the uniform does give the wargamer some license although more likely than no it would be grey!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donnie. :-) Yes, I've enjoyed reviving this batch of regiments. As you say, one does suspect that the uniform would be very grey!
DeleteAll the best,
David.
Lovely flags David, vibrant colours.
ReplyDeleteWillz.
Thank you, Willz. The green is certainly very green! :-)
DeleteAll the best,
David.
A most mysterious regiment - I can find no reference to them at all - even the excellent Kronoskaf site has no record of them..
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Steve, it is a frustratingly elusive regiment. :-)
DeleteAll the best,
David.
It's not the most exciting French flag, love the bright shade of green, but it makes up the set, nice one David.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ray. :-) Yes, had to produce the full set!
DeleteAll the best,
David.
Exactly what source do you have that says this regiment even existed and had this flag??? I can't even find it in Susane?
ReplyDeleteIt's detailed in Hall's highly reputable and very well researched book of French Infantry Regiments (which refers to the Du Vivier MS) (see here: https://pikeandshotsociety.org.uk/store-2/?model_number=-Flags-and-Uniforms-of-the-French-Infantry-under-Louis-XIV-1688-1714) so although a somewhat mysterious unit it does seem to have existed. :-)
DeleteCheers,
David.
Fascinating little rabbit hole to investigate.. don't doubt Hall's research, but I wonder what his source was for this regiment.. they've kind of piqued my interest...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Steve, For this regiment Hall cites "Fouré, Pierre “Drapeaux d’infanterie Française sous Louis XIV 1638-1715” privately published St. Cloud 1977. Despite the title, it handles the history of the infantry, uniforms and flags from 1643-1791 and was issued in the form of black
Deleteand white plates to be coloured by the user. This work, along with my own correspondence with the late Pierre Fouré, was an important basis of this work." He also cites Du Vivier "“Recueil des drapeaux d’infanterie de la France présenté à Son Altesse
Sérénissime le Duc du Maine” 326 pages with 338 coloured drawings of infantry flags under Louis XIV. This is a copy of the original manuscript of “Eu” of 1715 of which the whereabouts is unknown. It was made by Du Vivier and was in the
Bibliothéque Brunon in the Château de l’Emperi in Salon de Provence [DuVivier]. Due to the closure of the library it is currently not available to the public but I hope that this work will help make it available to interested parties."
All the best,
David.
Cheers David - slightly used copy on eBay France for 120 Euro's... might be a little expensive for a rabbit hole! LOL...
DeleteYes, not cheap s/h! But you can still buy it new for a lot less from Pike and Shot direct: https://pikeandshotsociety.org.uk/store-2/?model_number=-Flags-and-Uniforms-of-the-French-Infantry-under-Louis-XIV-1688-1714 Baccus have the CD but it is more expensive than the book from Pike and Shot at the moment! It is a terrific volume.
DeleteAll the best,
David.
Me too, I've this white and green flag as Franquières, between 1702 and 1714. Good to know: after Dangeau, this flag was yellow (jonquille) and green.
ReplyDeleteSee my reply above to Steve's comment. :-)
DeleteDavid, I do have all the Pike & Shot Society books in digitized format to include Hall's French Infantry tome and the hyper detailed Marlborough Goes to War (Blenheim 1704) by Iain Stanford. Actually, I know all those guys personally due to my current emeritus status as a former P&SS officer (Webflunky General) so I can reach out direct. . For this unit Hall does have a listing but the Tessin number is pseudo created by Hall himself. That leaves Foure and du Vivier and I cannot find a copy online anywhere (even Gallica!) to see exactly what the text says. All I can say as I have NOT pulled a single, formal order of battle for Blenheim (to include Stanford's book) that lists this unit as even existing. I'm stumped so far.
ReplyDeletePlease do let me know if you find anything concrete on this unit! It's certainly an intriguing mystery. Your comment that Iain Stanford's Marlborough Goes to War is "hyper detailed" has at least resulted in another sale for the Pike and Shot Society as on that recomendation I have just bought a copy from their website. :-)
DeleteMatter of fact, I'm gonna email him right now!
DeleteBy the way, Charrié also mentions Franquières, with the green and white flags 1702-1714... :-)
DeleteFOUND IT, thanks to my main squeeze Iain Stanford, the chap who wrote the hyper-detailed book on Blenheim you just ordered. Now you will understand. Iain pulled info from the French archives plus Mémoires militaires relatifs à la succession d'Espagne sous Louis XIV by Vault, François Eugène de, 1717-1790, & Pelet, Jean Jacques Germain, baron, 1777-1858, Depot de la Guerre. AND THE ANSWER IS! This regiment first formed part of the garrison at Belfort in 1703 and then became part of the garrison at Old Breisach when the French took it that same year (M de Regnac Commanding, Foix Infantry (2 bns), Franquieres (1) and D'Anlezy Horse (2), remaining there until it was disbanded end of year 1704. The Allies actually tried to retake the town in November that year, but were driven off, Franquieres taking heavy casualties and losing a color. Upon disbandment its soldiers were used as a replacements for the Foix Regiment. AND FOR THE RECORD, when the British had their victory parade in London, January 1705, all trophies were officially credited as having been taken at 2d Hochstadt, whether they were at the battle or not. Thus, Franquieres was given battle credit for 2d Hochstadt (as in the campaign), but was not physically on the battlefield. It was at Breisach.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thank you for tracking down the true story of Franquières and their captured flag. I'll modify my blog entry accordingly. :-)
DeleteCheers,
David.
Outstanding! Well done that man...!
DeleteAnonymous Commentator? Duuuuuude!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I have just uploaded all 11 Volumes of Pelet-Vault to my AOE Lace Wars Reference Portal. They do support the Age of Eagles product line, but are 95 % historical and open to everyone, no signup, no matter what you play, everything FREE to download, all Public Domain or otherwise copyright friendly (11 gigs, 1800 files worth). We're talking books, maps, OBs, flags, uniforms, all FREE. Yet no matter how much I advertise this thing, it really isn't used that much. Anyway the direct link is https://1drv.ms/f/c/005f7aa755302998/EpgpMFWnel8ggABcWgEAAAABlfV5Wdyp7PEC2SbGw4VYTQ and the AOE Webpage with this and all the other portal locations is https://ageofeagles.com/weblinks .
Thanks, Bill. Very good resource. However, I did try to download some of the documents from the One Drive site and could not; for instance, it wanted me to log in to my account and I don't have one! Can you change the settings, do you think, to make it more accessible? Thanks! :-)
DeleteHi David, If you can not download them directly, try either https://archive.org/ or https://gallica.bnf.fr/accueil/en/html/accueil-en (the French national library) .. you should be able to download copies for free.
DeleteThank you; will try that. :-)
DeleteAll the best,
David.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteVaniila it may be, but it is still nice for that and an interesting discussion it has generated:)!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve. Yes, it has triggered a most interesting and informative discussion. :-)
DeleteAll the best,
David.