ECW Historical Guides: Royalist Uniforms

[Black Watch 1745]

At the start of the war most of the men were poorly equipped and would have most likely fought in their regular civilian clothing. As the war progressed however the armies began to take a more uniformed appearance. Sadly, only scraps of information regarding uniforms remain but there are just enough to build a good idea of what the armies wore. Sometimes regiments would start in one colour of uniform and then switch to another when their old ones wore out.
The Oxford Army
This was the King’s main field army that he led in person. Throughout the war the Royalists were on the back foot when it came to funds meaning that the Royalists were often lacking muskets and other weapons and equipment. One report from the winter of 1642/3 states that the King’s Lifeguard of Foote were ‘very weekly Armed; as the last time his Majesty saw this garrison in Armes, where they appeared 190 armed and 210 unarmed’. The situation would improve as the war went on but would still remain a problem.
In terms of uniforms the first mention of clothing is before Edgehill where Thomas Bushall provided enough funds to clothe the King’s Lifeguard and three other regiments in red. Other scraps of information from diary’s and journals do give a picture, there is some mention of a few green coated regiments in the King’s army at Edgehill and a few in white and possibly black in 1643 (although this may be their regimental colours). Blue was also common, Prince Rupert’s regiment being in blue for example.
In September 1644 after they had defeated Essex’s Army at Lostwithiel the army was given a new issue of clothing. By this stage it appears that blue and red were the colours of choice for the King’s Army although this particular issue may have included civilian clothing. The Montero cap proved to be quite popular with the Oxford Army and by 1644 a large number of men were probably in Montero’s.
Newcastle’s Northern Army
The Marquis of Newcastle (Earl of Newcastle until 1643) was the commander of the King’s forces in the north. At the start of the war mention is made of his troops using Scottish blue bonnets. How long these lasted I unclear but seeing as though it was common for new issues of clothing to be made at the start of every campaign, sometimes after the end as well, then they may not have lasted long.
There is also mention in 1642/3 of some of Newcastle’s men wearing red coats. The report also mentions black uniforms but this may have be propaganda (trying to suggest that he had a lot of Catholic priests in his army).
At Marston Moor, mention is made of Newcastle’s own regiment referred to as his ‘lambs’ being all in white. Some reports also suggest that a lot of his foot were also in white although this may be more of a light grey/off white. Again some mention of redcoats and a ‘brigade’ of green coats. The whitecoats apparently had red crosses sewn onto their sleeves (the Parliamentarians used this to suggest they were Papists).
The Western Army
This was the army commanded by Hopton. There is some mention of a redcoated Cornish regiment and there is evidence that Hopton’s own regiment was issued blue uniforms so it may be they were equipped in a similar fashion to the Oxford Army. Red and blue were popular then although it is likely that a lot of civilian clothing and possibly captured Parliamentarian stock was utilised.
Other Regiments
A handful of regiments were brought over from Ireland including Sir Gilbert Talbot’s regiment which was issued with yellow uniforms. Colonel Richard Bagot’s regiment is sometimes depicted in purple uniforms but I have not come across any contemporary evidence to support this.
Final notes
The most predominant colours for Royalist uniforms then was red, blue, white, grey, green and yellow. It seems that blue and red were certainly the most common by 1644. Out of the hundred or so regiments that fought for the King at one time or another we only have information on a few dozen of them. The ones that have stars by them are regiments that we also have information for their flags:
King’s Lifeguard*- red
Queen’s Lifeguard*- red
Prince Rupert’s Firelocks- red
Sir Allen Apsley*- red
Lord Inchquin- red
Sir Francis Gamull- red and yellow
Lord Belasyse*- red or blue
Col. Richard Bolle*- blue or red
Prince Charles- blue
Lord Hopton*- blue
Prince Rupert*- blue
Charles Gerard*- blue
Sir William Pennyman*- blue (or red?)
Sir Stephen Hawkins- white (poss. blue or red before?)
Lord Percy*- white
Marquis of Newcatle*- white
Sir Henry Bard*- grey (poss. Later in red)
Sir Gilbot Talbot*- yellow
Sir Charles Vavasour- yellow
Sir John Paulet- yellow
Earl of Northampton- green
Col. Robert Broughton- green
Col. Henry Tillier*- green
Sir Thomas Blackwell*- black (con.)