This Commanding Officer wears a red sash that denotes his rank as a Royalist Officer. These sashes were between 6 and 9 feet long, and made from silk or taffeta, sometimes embroidered or fringed in silver and gold thread.
His hat is of felt, with a fashionable wide brim, and band and feather decoration. Under this hat he may wear a secret; a metal cap which would protect his skull from injury in battle. For extra protection on his hands he wears gauntlets. Lovers and wives as gifts often embroidered these.
He wears a suit consisting of a black wool English-style doublet and breeches. Black was an expensive colour at the time, being difficult to dye, and was reserved for the wealthy. We can see his falling band, or collar, made separately to the shirt from fine white linen.
Over this, he is wearing a buff coat. Buff coats were again an expensive item, made from tough leather, and giving a certain amount of protection to distant musket shots and sword blows. They were ineffective, however, at defending against close-range shots and stab wounds.
On his feet, this Officer wears the bucket boots so synonymous with Cavaliers. They are turned down at the top to for ease of movement and to show off his fine linen boot hose.
The Officer is armed with an elegant rapier/mortuary sword, complete with elaborate hand-guard inlaid with silver and brass. He may also at times carry a partisan, a long wooden staff with a metal head used for both directing troops and parrying.
© Copyright 1998-2007 Sir John Owens Regiment of Foote.
