Infantry

The New Model infantry (formed 1644) were intended to comprise 12 regiments, each of 1,200 men in ten companies (the Colonel’s company 200 strong, Lieutenant-Colonel’s 160, Major’s 140 and the rest 100). One third were to be pikemen, the rest musketeers. This represents the ’ideal’ strength and combination of arms of the contemporary infantry regiment. Probably based on later Dutch models, it bears a very close resemblance to later Swedish, French or even Imperial units of the time, as well as representing what both sides in the Civil Wars aimed at.

In practice, it proved difficult to bring even the New Model to full strength, and both Royalist and Parliamentary regiments could have as few as six companies, and were sometimes down to 200 men or so, while 800-900 was about the maximum strength. The gap between establishment and actual strength was even wider in the 16th and 17th Centuries than in later periods, as has already been shown, and in the Civil War the raising of troops was particularly local, personal and haphazard, especially on the King’s side, while practices like the recruitment of prisoners of war (though common in Europe also), would be likely to mean many troops of limited enthusiasm, and a high rate of desertion. Norwasthe2:1 ratio of muskets to pikes always achieved; the Royalists in the early part of the war, in particular, were short of muskets and had some units with as many as half the men pike-armed.

Both Swedish and Dutch tactical formations were employed, the latter especially in the earlier stages, though for infantry Dutch formations were simpler and probably more practical than the rather complex Swedish-based formations advocated by contemporary drill books such as that of Robert Ward.

A regiment, according to strength, would form in the field one or two ’divisions’; sometimes drawn up eight deep, more often six, with the musketeers flanking the pikes. Some musketeers would be detached (’commanded’) to form a ’forlorn hope’ screen, often lining a hedge or ditch, and others would often be found on the flanks giving fire support to the cavalry in Swedish fashion.

At first, fire was generally by countermarch, but in Parliamentary armies of the later war years, and in at least one Royalist force — Montrose’s Scots-lrish army — the Swedish ’salvo’ or simultaneous three-rank volley was used, the shot being reduced, from six ranks to three by ’doubling the files’ before firing.

Weaponry was nearly standardised. Musketeers were equipped with Dutch-pattern matchlocks (though units with ’firelocks’ — early flintlocks — were formed to guard the artillery and train, where lighted matches might have proved too great a hazard), and normally carried rests, though some firelocks and commanded musketeers may have dispensed with these. Bandoliers with the ’12 apostles’ — 12 cartouches with powder charges — dangling from them were usual, though, especially in the early days, a good many men had to use their pockets instead. A sword (costing four and sixpence) was carried, but the clubbed musket itself was usually preferred for hand-to-hand combat. Most musketeers wore no protection, but some may still have worn helmets or buff coats.

Pikes were at least 16 feet long on issue, but their bearers often shortened them to make them easier to handle (one way of detecting inexperience in an enemy unit was by spotting the wavering of their pike points in the breeze). Pikemen also had a cheap sword, and normally a helmet (likely to be of open, brimmed, type, lobster-tail pots being normally reserved for cavalry use), and a corselet, the breastplate at least being ’shot-proof’. Tassetts to protect the thighs were worn by some, including the London Trained Bands, but both these and the gorget (except as a sign of rank) were on the way out. Again, especially at the beginning of the war, very many pikemen lacked any armour, and swords too were often in short supply. Indeed, some Royalists went to war with nothing but clubs or other improvised weapons. Under, or instead of, the corselet, a sleeveless, long-skirted buff coat was worn.

A few rifled sporting guns were employed in the war, and proved so effective in the hands of ex-keepers and others, that General Monck suggested each company should ideally have half-a-dozen such snipers. This idea, however, seems never to have been adopted.

Finally, partisans were still carried as a sign of commissioned rank, while NCOs and colour-guards could have halberds.