Flags

Twenty-five elements and two generals are done and can be added to the French and Imperial collection, except… they lack flags.

Sourcing flags for the French forces is not that difficult as by 1660, the army was now professional with prescribed uniforms for the regiments as well as flags. For the most part these remained unchanged to the Seven Years War and Kronoskaf.com has been helpful here even with regimental history.

The Imperial forces proved a greater problem as many of the duchies supplying troops were not at the same level of development with their military as the French. In addition to the red, blue and iron grey coats used, we find units in brown, purple and yellow among the regiments fielded. As an example, the United Provinces relied heavily on mercenary units supplied by England, Scotland, Brandenburg, and a number of smaller German States. 

Flags therefore, became an essential means to recognize friend from foe. We now find the French white cross on all the infantry regiments as could the English red cross at this time. 

Of the Imperial flags which I could find , I have noted the placement of the  coat of arms or blazon placed in the upper canton nearest the staff. These can be seen among the Danish, Dutch, English and German flags.

By expanding my search using German and French keywords, I actually found many useful sites including those at wiki which were not yet translated to English. The Thirty Years War is very well covered, but I did manage to find sites specializing on the period needed, 1660 – 1670.

A few examples here from DieRegimentsfahnen und Standarten im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert. The cavalry standard seen below follows the standard practice of the period with the regimental blazon seen on the front side and the reverse depicting the coat of arms of the noble, city or province from where it was raised. 

Infantry flags. 

Cavalry standards (front-side) 

Same standard (reverse-side) 

Between now and the weekend I shall be painting flags. 

Cheers,