This Ensign would have provided his own clothing and equipment for war, dressing as befits his status, rank and purse.
A red sash of taffeta or silk shows his rank as a Royalist Officer.
The Ensign carried the Colour; 6sq. ft of painted taffeta, fixed to a 7ft staff with an iron or brass spear point and two tassels. The colour was used to distinguish regiments on the field, as a rallying point for soldiers and as a signalling device between regiments and armies. The Colour was therefore a very important part of the regiment, and the Ensign a vital person.
The Ensign wears clothes which help him to stand out on the field, this
being the days before camouflage. His doublet is of red wool, Owen's colour, and is lined with silk.
Under his doublet the Ensign would wear a shirt of fine linen, and a falling band or separate collar, in this case decorated with hand-made bobbin lace.
His britches are of fashionable black wool, decorated by appliquÈd banding in fine gold ribbon. They are tied with red silk ribbon, again Owens colour.
On his feet the Ensign wears fashionable bucket top boots associated with Royalist Officers. They were a very expensive item to buy, and show that this gentlemen, like many Ensigns, came from a good background. They are turned down for ease of movement.
He wears a wide brimmed black felt hat with an embroidered hat band and feather decoration. Under this he may wear a secret, or protective metal cap.
He is armoured with a back and breast; a steel breast plate and separate back which locked together using straps. This would have given good protection against musket shots, pike points and sword slashes.
For defense, along with his Colour which was topped with a sharp steel point for parrying, he carries a sword. The large hand-guard was not simply decorative, but would have offered valuable protection to the knuckles when fighting. Due to his visibility and vital role within the regiment, the Ensign would have been a target for enemy musketeers and pikemen. The capture of an enemies colour was a very symbolic victory
© Copyright 1998-2009 Sir John Owens Regiment of Foote.
