"French Guard Cavalry in the TYW" Topic

Does anyone know how would the french "gendarmes de la garde", "chevaulegers de la garde" and "garde du corps" be dressed and equipped during the Thirty Years War period?

Any clues?

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You do this on purpose, Don, right? "Let me see, what era, army and unit is almost guaranteed to have no surviving records?"

Educated guesswork again, and others more knowledgeable will hopefully chip in, but much like in later periods, the King's household troops would probably be dressed and equipped as heavy cavalry of their time. According to the Funckens, the lance had disappeared from the French arsenal under Henry IV, so cuirassiers in three-quarter armour would have been firing pistols. The Chevaulégers' name hints at a lighter armament, a helmet and cuirass probably, with a carbine in addition to pistols, or replacing the latter.

No uniforms obviously, nor even uniformity in their armour – these were companies of aristocratic gentlemen first and foremost, each one wearing what he could afford (though probably careful not to outshine his lord and master).

EDIT: The above would apply to the beginning of the period. Much like in other armies involved in the thirty years of conflict, the French would probably have "lightened up" as time went on, so Rocroi would have seen fewer cuirassiers and more chevaulégers overall. By then even the King's troops may have discarded much of their armour in favour of the dashing styles of English Cavaliers?

I'm sorry, Musketier. I kind of have a thing for those obscure armies and units D: I'm trying to do it less frequently, though.

Still, thank you very much for the information! Do you think that it's possible that at the beginning of the XVII century, the Garde du Corps or guard gendarmes could still be wearing full armor, instead of the

At the beginning of the century, say under Henry IV, i.e. before the Thirty Years War proper, I would think this quite likely. For France, this is the closing chapter in the Wars of Religion, thus more a prolongation of the XVIth C.

EDIT: You're probably aware that the Chevaulégers were actually created well before the Gensdarmes (1593 vs. 1609), the latter being originally the bodyguards to the Dauphin and only joining the King's household under Louis XIII, while Henry IV established the Chevaulégers by converting the Gentilhommes ŕ bec de corbin (comparable to England's Yeomen of the Guard) to lightly armoured cavalry for his personal guard.

This measure may have had political motives as well though, since trust between the old nobility in the Gardes du Corps and the formerly Protestant Navarrese may never have been complete…

Looking for Translators

I used to design war games for SPI & OSG, and have written several books. I am currently finishing two new books: the first on warfare from the beginning of the Italian Wars to the end of the Thirty Years' War. I'm am also about to attempt to publish a modularized encyclopedia of tactics during the 1494-186 period.

I have collected a truly vast array of period primary sources. I read French but slowly and have to work my way through a mountain of highly detailed information about tactics.

The effort would be greatly speeded up if I can find a number of people willing to help with translations.

Do you think anyone in your club or that you know would be interested in helping?

If so, I can be reached at Brentnose@aol.com.

Thank you for your help in this matter,

Brent Nosworthy