"Royalist dragoons in Cheshire and North Wales 1643-45?" Topic

I suppose most wargamers when covering a certain conflict, have a particular favourite theatre of operations. In the ECW mine covers the the war in the north especially Lancashire Cheshire and North Wales. I have laboured through as much information as I have – and it's reasonably considerable – until I'm bog eyed but still cannot satisfy my curiosity into Royalist dragoon regiments in the period described above. I know Sir Richard Lloyd had a company and Corbett's came in from Shropshire from time to time, but am unable to discover much more. If anyone has any further information I'd be grateful. After five hours of poring over documents I'm now going to lie down in a dark room.

I say, if in doubt paint them up with a slight preponderance of the colour you favour . . . and spit in the eye of the Devil, sir!

You may quote me.

As aye,
Captain D'Ewell

Hi Royalist Dave,

Lancs, Ches and N Wales 1643-4. Mostly from Reid's 'Officers & Regiments'

Lancashire
-Sir Gilbert Houghton – very active as part of Derby's little army until defeated at Whalley, may have ended up in Greenhalgh Castle garrison
-Sir Thomas Tyldesley – likewise in Derby's army, likely amalgamated into Tyldesley's horse after Whalley

Cheshire
-Sir Thomas Aston's – com to r 500 drgns but probably only a troop or two attached to his cavalry regiment

North Wales
-Colonel John Blayney – Montgomeryshire -little known
-Sir Richard Floyd/Lloyd – in garrison at Holt Castle then Harlech later on
-Sir Thomas Hanmer – garrison at Chirk Castle then Chester, till Hanmer went overseas in 1644
-Edward Lloyd – garrison of Oswestry

Also Sir William Vaughan had some dragoons, probably a single troop attached to his horse, and Rupert brought Sir Henry Washington's dragoons into the area in 1644.

Many thanks Timbo. Col. John Blayney I'm aware of and have a Capt. Edmund Glynne marked down as commander of a troop.
As you say very little known, so I think wargamer's licence may apply. I've checked William Brereton's letter books and that's a chore in itself but Glynne is mentioned.
I think we can discount Tyldesley mainly because his regiment was earmarked for great things in the Trent Valley, Burton and Lichfield being two examples, during the time frame. Washington's dragoons I believe came in and out with Rupert prior to and after Marston Moor. Sir William Vaughan did indeed have dragoons in the area but they were beaten up pretty badly in 1645, and my main concern here is again lack of information. Did he bring them with him into Wales or were they drawn from garrisons?
I will certainly recheck Arthur Aston and Thomas Hanmer, and thankyou again for the effort on my behalf.

Interesting site here on carvings at Blayney's mansion at Gregynog link just in case you fancy a 'conjectured' guidon ;-) and O&R has Glynne as a Captain too.

Indeed Tyldesley and Vaughan pop in and out of the area quite a bit, notably on the way to Marston Moor (and back again!). I'm imagining that their dragoons were odd troops attached to their horse regiments, as seems quite common. But I don't really know, Vaughan's might well have been left in Chirk or Ercall etc garrisons instead.

Sir Thomas Aston's dragoons (again probably an add-on to his cav) likely left the area when Aston was recalled after losing so often against Brereton. Certainly the cavalry were back with the Oxford Army by I Newbury Sept 43, where Sir Thomas, ever unlucky, had his horse shot from under him!

Thanks again Timbo the site is full of interest. If I was looking for a cavalry cornet I would chance one of the designs, but the dragoon cornets were relatively plain so I have to stick with that. One of the things that go in the favour of Royalist dragoon cornets is that there is a number unidentified, therefore taking licence would seem to be the order of the day. Whichever way your stick floats, as the Americans say.

Fair point indeed Royalist Dave, all the best with your research and painting!