Pike & Musket

Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) was the dominant personality of the English Civil War. Originally from a modest country background he rose rapidly through the Parliamentary ranks from a humble troop commander to a regimental colonel and then a Lieutenant General of Horse all within the space of two years. Although lacking any formal military education he knew instinctively how to lead and train men...and get the best from them. Eventually he would be given the title “Lord Protector”. Our figure shows him in typical military dress of the early part of the war as a Colonel of Horse. The figure is based on the statue of Cromwell to be found outside Parliament in London...Sword in one hand...bible in the other! -
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The “Blew Regiment of the Cittie of London Trayned Bandes” was a militia regiment of about 1200 musketeers and 800 pikemen drawn from the citizens of the capitol. At the time England had no standing army so, in times of war and strife, locally trained volunteers were virtually all that was available. Upon the outbreak of war London declared for Parliament and the regiment fought in most of the notable battles of the conflict. Our flagbearer holds the standard of the 5th Captain of the Regiment. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/regimental-flagbearer-p-8642.html#sthash.GVz2SWP2.dpuf

A senior non commissioned officer, promoted from the ranks stands with his halberd. He can accompany either Royalist or Parliamentary forces. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/sergeant-arms-english-civil-p-10284.html#sthash.pzDVlMrg.dpuf

In this specially – designed set Athos, Aramis & Porthos, stand alongside the youthful D’Artagnan swords drawn and ready to fight the Cardinal’s Guards! All three Musketeers wear the “classic” blue cassock adorned with a beautiful hand-woven cross and decoration. Typical of the period the rest of their attire is their own personal dress. D’Artagnan wears a simple plain tunic befitting a young well-born gentleman from the provinces.

This second member of the Cardinal’s men prepares to discharge his loaded musket. The purpose of the rest was to ‘steady’ the very heavy weapon and make it slightly easier to aim. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/cardinals-guard-with-musket-ready-three-musketeers-p-10299.html#sthash.FAdHlFbD.dpuf

Just after Louis XIII raised his own personal guard company, “The Musketeers” he raised a second company to be the bodyguards of his most trusted Cardinal ... Richelieu. A great rivalry grew up between these two bodies of fighting men ... resulting in almost ‘open-warfare’ whenever (and wherever) their separate paths crossed. One simple way to recognize each group is by their ‘casques’ (or cassocks)... the Musketeers wore blue ... the Cardinal’s men adopted their master’s preference ... RED! Our figure stands holding his musket rest in one hand and his musket over the shoulder. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/cardinals-guard-with-shouldered-musket-three-musketeers-p-10298.html#sthash.FF8zEHaT.dpuf

And now for something completely different ... A touch of chivalry even in the midst of a Civil War ... A bold cavalier takes the hand of a pretty young maiden during one of the short interludes between battles and skirmishes.

One of King Louis XIII’s Musketeers engages in a duel with one of Cardinal Richelieu’s Bodyguards ... Ostensibly both units served the King however there existed a fierce rivalry between the two factions and fighting and dueling often erupted whenever they met in public ... or private. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/kings-duellists-p-10499.html#sthash.mTmg0z0V.dpuf

Bible in one hand and drawn sword in the other this stern-faced dismounted “Ironside” is sure to get his message of “fire and brimstone” across to his fellow troopers. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/preacher-p-9955.html#sthash.RITGpbY6.dpuf

Mathew Hopkins was a self-appointed witch-hunter whose career flourished during the major upheavals caused by the English Civil War. Although never officially sanctioned by Parliament, he prowled far and wide across East Anglia conducting investigations, trials and executions from 1644-1647. More than 300 unfortunate people, mostly women, fell victim to his deadly inquisitions with more being hanged and burned than in all of the previous 100 years! Our figure shows him in Parliamentary garb and wearing a black cloak and hat and carrying both a volume of Parish records ... and a sword. He was memorably played by legendary horror film villain, Vincent Price in “Witchfinder General”, a 1968 British horror movie.

A brave and energetic Parliamentary cavalry officer who before the war was a Member of Parliament. Here, he sits atop his mount calmly assessing the situation - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/captain-horse-nathaniel-fiennes-xclusive-p-9639.html#sthash.xgzIMZf3.dpuf

In England, around the same time, duels between armies took precedence over personal disagreements. Here one of Cromwell’s “Ironsides” fights it out with a dismounted Royalist cavalier. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/english-civil-duellists-p-10502.html#sthash.tTCPPG2N.dpuf

The Comte (or Count) de Rochefort is another villainous character from the Dumas novel and is an accomplice of the Cardinal and an ally to the beautiful but deadly Milady de Winter. A skilled swordsman and a ruthless adversary he can be recognized by his eye patch and a long scar across his cheek. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/comte-rochefort-p-9650.html#sthash.jNCRFx7T.dpuf

Cardinal Richlieu, the “Red Eminence”, and the power behind King Louis XIII. Often known as the King’s “First Minister” he wielded enormous power and influence not just in France but throughout Europe at that time. He is also a leading character in Alexander Dumas’ “Three Musketeers” and the Musketeers main antagonist. We show him at the height of his power...sword drawn and wearing a suit of armour always prepared to defend what he believes is in France’s best interest. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/cardinal-p-9636.html#sthash.nQInvO9R.dpuf

This dismounted trooper carries both sword and pistol. He wears the distinctive “lobster-pot” helmet with the protective steel face visor raised. Under his armoured cuirass he wears the heavy buff leather long jacket. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/trooper-wpistol-p-8643.html#sthash.tXgmYuS0.dpuf

The majority of muskets used in the Civil War were “matchlocks”. Our “Musketeer” uses his forked “rest” to steady his weapon. Extra ammunition was carried in a cross belt “bandoleer” which usually had 12 or more small wooden containers each with enough powder for a single round.
See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/firing-musketeer-p-8639.html#sthash.SuIg8lFP.dpuf

Henry Tillier was of a French Huguemont family and an officer in Charles I's army when it fought in Ireland in 1642. In 1643 he was promoted Colonel and raised his own regiment from the Dublin garrison which crossed over to England in 1644 on the King’s side. Their green coats marked them out as proud Irishmen ... as is our drummer.

Gustav II Adolf (1594-1632) more widely known as Gustavus Adolphus was King of Sweden from 1611-1632 and is credited in making Sweden a great ‘European Power’. He led the country to military supremacy during the Thirty Years War helping to determine the political as well as religious balance of power on the continent at that time. He was also regarded as a great military innovator especially in the use of ‘combined arms’... the fighting mix of cavalry, infantry and artillery and their practical deployment on the battlefield. Not only a great tactician he was a brave and fearless soldier often leading his troops ‘from the front’ in many a battle and skirmish. He was killed at the Battle of Lützen in 1632 leading a cavalry charge. Today, Gustavus Adolphus is memorialized in statues in several major Swedish cities... Our K&C standing figure is closely modelled on an actual statue in Gothenberg, Sweden.

Raised in London for the Earl of Essex’s Parliamentary Army they were easily recognized on the battlefield by their red coat with blue cuffs.

Rupert was a noted German soldier and nephew of King Charles I of England. He followed a military career from an early age fighting against Spain in the Netherlands and opposite the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years War. Moving to England in 1642, at the beginning of the Civil War, he was appointed, by his uncle, commander of all Royalist Cavalry. He became the archetypal “Cavalier” of the period brave, dashing...impetuous! Here we see him on one of his favourite mounts, hat held aloft and greeting his men.

One of King Charles’ own Staff Officers, Sir Richard Pembroke posing in typical , confident “Cavalier” fashion.

A second version of the previous figure… This time, our Parliamentary Officer carries the “Commonwealth Flag” of 1649, adopted by Cromwell’s Army two years before the actual end of the Civil War in 1651. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/commonwealth-flag-bearer-english-civil-p-10094.html#sthash.my8730E0.dpuf

An advancing officer of the King Charles ‘ own “Lifeguard Regiment of Foot”. Over his right shoulder he carries the Regimental Colour… In his left hand a pistol. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/kings-lifeguard-standard-english-civil-p-10092.html#sthash.Uhh7ia3a.dpuf