"The Macpherson Royalists?" Topic

I am a long time lurker and reader of these boards… thanks for all the great advice :)

I am setting off on a new project, and it is one that I am very excited about – the Scots of the English Civil War. My family is Scottish – Macpherson to be exact, and to give the project some very personal flavor and motivation I wanted to begin with something from my family's heritage.

I know that the Macphersons were strong royalists -- in fact, Ewen of Cluny led a Badenoch contingent during the wars under Montrose. This is the first contingent I want to begin with for my new project… and I'm hoping to find more information about them.

I am unable to discover just how large this "contingent" was or how it was comprised and equipped. Does anybody have any information, leads, or insights to this Macpherson clan contingent under Montrose or even helpful information on the clans under Montrose in general?

Many thanks,
Jonathan

The Badenoch Levies fought at the Battle if Tibbemore 1644 and were armed in the regular fashion i.e. Pike and Musket, either at 2:1 or 2:3 (I would go with 1:2 ratio of Pike to Musket). They numbered around 500 (rounded nicely in the sources secondary and primary).

Oops that should have read i.e. Pike to Musket 1:2 or 2:3 ratio(I would go with 1:2 ratio of Pike to Musket).

Great information, thanks Marcus!

I am assuming that in addition to the pike, these levies also carried claymore and Lochaber axe… would that be correct?

What flag, banner or standard would these Badenoch levies have carried? Part of the great spectacle of gaming in this era is the magnificent waving flags and banners… I want to be sure to include something appropriate for this contingent.

Hi Marcus,

I'd appreciate knowning the source for the Badenoch levies being pike & shot armed. I'd always assumed they were a Highland 'warband' like the Athollmen with a mix of muskets, swords and the occasional 2-handed weapon or bow. Happy to be proved wrong!

Fairly sure that the Badenoch colours are unknown. I guess for wargames purposes concocting a flag from elements of the Macphersons coat of arms might be the way to go. In 1689 the Macdonalds went into battle under a sprig of heather tied onto a pole!

Hi Timbo I have a question or two I wish to ask of you on ECW as well :) please could you let me know your email addy.

The source is S.Reid, 2003 (Osprey – Auldearn), S. Reid, 1989, 1992 (Royalis, Convenant Armies) he reckons they were a regularly armed i.e. Pike and Musket levy who formed in the centre with the Irish, but I would also add that there would have been additional highlander levies drafted and armed with a eclectic weapons from the areas of Atholl, Badenoch, Lochaber, as Reid states that the Royalists significantly outnumbered the Covenant forces at Tibbermore.

Hi Marcus,

sure no probs – t dot d dot williams at bham dot ac dot uk

Had a look in Auldearn and Scots 3 but can't pick up the ref to Badenoch levies being pike & shot. To be fair I'm full of cold at the mo so probably just my brain being super-fuzzy! Any chance of a page ref?

Yes. He infers it on page 20 of Auldearn but then says Highlanders left the Rotyalist army after the battle to Badenoch etc page 24. In his Scot Armies Royalist book page 42 again he is stating they were armed as regulars i.e. Pike and Musket, he says…"were the three Irish Regiments and a battalion of Badenoch men totalling some 2000 infantry in all, most of them regular." (1500 Irish and 500 Badenoch levies). I hope this helps I will have another look this evening for other references. Cheers for the addy will drop an email tonight.

Right ho Marcus, to me that says they were Highland 'warband' style (the Irish Bde being pike & shot) but admit I'm not at my best today.

Great, any delay in replying and I've likey OD'd on lemsip ;-)

I'm reviving this thread as I'm about to do the Badenoch regiment.

I would quite like to do the regiment as pike and shot but I'm confused by Read's quote given above.

"the three Irish Regiments and a battalion of Badenoch men totalling some 2000 infantry in all, most of them regular." (1500 Irish and 500 Badenoch levies).

So were "most of them regular" because there were 1500 Irish regulars compared to 500 Badenoch levies?

Or does the positioning of the Badenoch levies and Read's use of 'battalion' indicate the Badenoch levies were trained men if not quite regulars?

Any help gratefully recieved.

As I have been working on my Badenoch contingent and doing the research, I have come to the conclusion based on my readings that they had a fair amount of regular "pike and shotte" as we think of it – however they also had within their ranks those soldiers/warriors carrying targe, sword and other traditional highland weapons.

To represent this in my models, the regiment will have the traditional sleeves of shotte with a pike block at the center – however, at the front of the pikes there will be several figures charging with these traditional highland weapons.

To me, this is a satisfying solution.

Oh, and there is bow or two thrown in with the muskets as well :)

cheers,
Jonathan

inevitablespark.blogspot.com

That's interesting Jonathan can you point me at sources?

I was thinking more of pikes in Highland dress and musket armed highlanders for the sleeves. You are right of course the odd bow would be fine too.

I will also be using your wonderful flag so thanks again for that.

Johnathon,

good looking project! I have a book somewhere that may help!

any chance you could add a follower widget?

cheers
matt

Thanks bluewillow – appreciate the comment. I'd love any reference material help you can provide!

I have added a 'Followers' widget to the blog in the right column…. hope that is the one you meant.

cheers,
Jonathan