Sir William Brereton's Regiment of Horse
Another interesting local (to Château KeepYourPowderDry that is) regiment. Sir William was commissioned as a Captain of Horse in 1642 - Manchester University holds his original commission. He and his troop fought at Brentford, it is thought he may have raised a second troop in and around London before returning to Cheshire.
In February 1643 the Regiment consisted of five troops, by 1645 the Regiment was effectively a double regiment of 1000 men. It would appear that rather than there being a number of small Regiments of Horse in Cheshire, all troops were subsumed into the one Regiment.
I have chosen to represent the Regiment with Sir William's own troop, as we know what his cornet looked like, and we also know that he purchased black taffeta trumpet banners in 1643. A number of headswaps with this unit, mostly for lobster pots with open visors. These were finished ages ago, and were sat waiting to be based for a long time - no idea why, as I quite like basing.
In May 1643 two different sources described Brereton's own troop as cuirassiers during the assault on Stafford Castle.
For a much more in depth history of the Regiment, and more details of the other troops and officers I will heartily recommend"More Like Lions Than Men" by Andrew Abram, the only weak link in the book is the colour reproduction with some of the illustrations.
The regiment was present at a skirmish at Nantwich; a skirmish at Tarporley; First Battle of Middlewich; Hopton Heath; the Storm of Stafford (Brereton's own troop); Battle of Wem and Leigh Bridge; Holt Bridge; Second Battle of Middlewich; Nantwich; the storm of Montford Bridge; a skirmish at Tarvin; a skirmish at Malpas; Montgomery Castle; Chrisleton; the Siege of Chester; a skirmish at Holt Bridge; the taking of St Asaph.
Brereton stepped down as Colonel due to the Self Denying Ordinance, Lt. Colonel Jones taking command in June 1645, and the Regiment went on to fight at Rowton Heath; returning to the Siege of Chester; possibly at Denbigh Green.
In March 1646 Jones was made Governor of Chester and command passed to Mytton. Under his command the Regiment moved into North Wales, participated at the Siege of Caernarvon before being reduced in October 1646. One troop continued in existence until June 1647.
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| Quite a few headswaps with this regiment, and the eagle eyed amongst you will spot a mounted casualty |
In February 1643 the Regiment consisted of five troops, by 1645 the Regiment was effectively a double regiment of 1000 men. It would appear that rather than there being a number of small Regiments of Horse in Cheshire, all troops were subsumed into the one Regiment.
I have chosen to represent the Regiment with Sir William's own troop, as we know what his cornet looked like, and we also know that he purchased black taffeta trumpet banners in 1643. A number of headswaps with this unit, mostly for lobster pots with open visors. These were finished ages ago, and were sat waiting to be based for a long time - no idea why, as I quite like basing.
In May 1643 two different sources described Brereton's own troop as cuirassiers during the assault on Stafford Castle.
For a much more in depth history of the Regiment, and more details of the other troops and officers I will heartily recommend"More Like Lions Than Men" by Andrew Abram, the only weak link in the book is the colour reproduction with some of the illustrations.
The regiment was present at a skirmish at Nantwich; a skirmish at Tarporley; First Battle of Middlewich; Hopton Heath; the Storm of Stafford (Brereton's own troop); Battle of Wem and Leigh Bridge; Holt Bridge; Second Battle of Middlewich; Nantwich; the storm of Montford Bridge; a skirmish at Tarvin; a skirmish at Malpas; Montgomery Castle; Chrisleton; the Siege of Chester; a skirmish at Holt Bridge; the taking of St Asaph.
Brereton stepped down as Colonel due to the Self Denying Ordinance, Lt. Colonel Jones taking command in June 1645, and the Regiment went on to fight at Rowton Heath; returning to the Siege of Chester; possibly at Denbigh Green.
In March 1646 Jones was made Governor of Chester and command passed to Mytton. Under his command the Regiment moved into North Wales, participated at the Siege of Caernarvon before being reduced in October 1646. One troop continued in existence until June 1647.
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