Flags – the finishing touch.

On a recent post I received a number of queries about the flags for my late 17^th century units, namely the shaping or bringing movement to them.

I draw by hand and paint my own flags and since last three decades, the technique has become second nature to me even the size of flags and standards has remain consistent over the past decades.

Tips:

This latest project (Late 17^th c.), I have made enough flags and standards for units that have yet to be ordered. This not only works as a stimulus to finish my project, but also saves set up time and paint.

Apply a fixative to protect your finished work as fixing flags to their staffs you may smudge or wipe out detail with your fingers or thumb.

My flags are marked with a centre line, so they can be folded in half.

Using a piece of brass rod I will score that section which wraps around the staff.

Un-diluted white glue is applied to one side and the area which will fit around the staff. Matching the upper corners, gently press the two halves together working back to the staff. Using your thumbnail, make sure the flag is set 

tight about the staff.

Half n’ half method:

Using a brush handle, preferably thin, set this at about a 60 degree angle and gently curl the flag back.

From the farthest upper corner curl the flag back in the opposite direction stopping short of half way.

This “S” form can become compact (close to the staff) or relaxed as in fully extended. 

Your choice. 

French and Imperial regiments with flags.

Flags for the French and Austrian foot are now added to their respective regiments. The French Picardie (red) and Navarre (green) are seen here in photo one.

The Imperial forces are a mixed group. One foot unit have the older version of an Imperial flag while the General has the newer type. If the second flag appears Spanish, you are partly correct. 

The frontier between the United Provinces and France changed ownership during this period. Historically, the region was still Spanish, until Louis XIV launched his “Spanish Promenade” to capture all the forts in the region. The forts which surrender, their garrisons were allowed to keep their arms and leave; which meant north toward the United Provinces or east toward Imperial held lands. 

As was the case during the period, formations could find themselves with new allegiances and such is the lot for this unit.  

The extra flags and standards as seen in the previous post are to be used for order number three which will be placed next week. This will double the number of elements to give me two commands of French and two of Imperial Austria and allies. 

Cheers, 

Flags.

Today, I have painted the ground colours for the French and Austrian infantry flags. Tomorrow, the details such as fleur de lys, scrolls, and crowns will be done. By Tuesday, these and the cavalry standards will be mounted on their respective elements.

Information is scarce, but fortunately the French regiments used the same pattern and colour from the 1670’s to the SYW. This is reconfirmed by the number of French flags captured and recorded.

Likewise, information about the Imperial and Allied regimental flags are also noted.

The first photo are of French captured flags and the second is the famous painting of the Condé receiving honours from Louis XIV after his victory at Seneffe. The captured Allied flags are seen in the background.

About the allies, these included not only the Dutch of the United Provinces but the subsidized troops from Brandenburg, Imperial Austria, the smaller German States and the Spanish garrisons in Flemish territories.