My own research so far using the interweb because it's still relatively cheap and free. Besides, why reinvent the wheel...well sorta. No claim is made that the research below is definitive and authoritative. I've used a few online sources that I already know of and which can be cross-referenced so I am satisfied that it's reasonably accurate. Any errors or claims made are entirely of my own doing.
PRINCE RUPERT'S LIFEGUARDS
Started with Prince Rupert's Lifeguards because it was the first name I could recall from my projected army list.
Prince Rupert's Lifeguards (Cavalry) is a small unit of two stands. Represents his personal escort, so to speak.
Standard for the unit is based on an image I spotted on one of them reenactment sites showing the family crest - the Palatinate-Simmern branch of the Wittlesbach dynasty. This was further supported when I looked up Rupert's historical background. Born in Prague, Bohemia. Family fled to Holland where he grew up. Fought in the Thirty Year's War so had the military experience if not the sense or people skills. Accepted invited by his uncle, Chucky the First (mother was Chuck's sister) to serve in England which he did. Knew of him as being the epitome of a Cavalier (back in the 70s) who was often impetuous but a solid field commander.
Crude image (above) using MS Paint based on the image in wikipedia. Detail is ok for my modelling needs as it will be scaled down considerably for 25mm gaming.
Saddlecloth is blue with double trim in gold/yellow.
LORD HORATIO CARY'S REGIMENT OF HORSE
Next unit up is Lord Cary/Carey's Horse. It will consist of four stands. As luck would have it, I happened across a source already known to me - a blogsite. Dude does his research and therefore acceptable to me as a reliable source - at least on what he present. The standards of this unit features what was common knowledge back then - the Parliamentarian Earl of Essex's infamous cuckolding episodes with his politically-sanctioned marriage alliance. It was used mercilessly by the Royalists as a jibe at their foes. No doubt it was returned in kind by the Roundheads in some of their cavalry standards although winning the war was probably more useful than some taunting.
The creature purports to be a fox, the significance of which is explained by a comment on the source's blogsite. The quote is clear enough. And this is the Colonel's standard.
PRINCE MAURICE'S DRAGOONS
Had a bit of a search for Prince Maurice's Dragoons. Originally raised and called Ussher's Dragoons, it shared the more noted royal's name after Prince took the unit under his command after Ussher was killed. The actual commander was a chap named Washington. If that sounds familiar, apparently a cousin migrated to the land of the West Greenland and one of his descendants got famous enough to have his portrait on the dollar bill. Who'd have thunk that?!
Anyway, Washington remained commander of the dragoons right up to war's end when they surrendered Worcester. The source I found is one of those reenactment groups although I am not sure if it's still active. However it does have some useful information regarding the formation, its origins and uniforms.
The cornets (cavalry standards not the delicious trumpet-shaped ice cream in a cone) mentioned are from Parliament capture notes. They list Washington's dragoons as having (I quote from the article) cornets that are "...white with blue and white fringe; the first had a plain white field except for the canton with the cross of St George and the second also has a white field with a red stream blazant from the top corner to the middle....Interestingly, both follow the Foote's pattern of company identification and are square in dimensions..." (unquote).
And in another mention, a white dragoon standard was captured at Marston Moor but whose identity is unknown although I believe the article author was hinting that it may have been one of Washington's troop colour captured. It was (to quote the language of the times) a "...white Coronet of dragoones with a blew and white fringe in the midst of whereof is painted a roundhead have, and on its top the letter P. (which is conceived to signifie a Puritan) with a sword in a hand reaching from a cloud, with this mott, FIAT IUSTITIA. (Let Justice be Done)..." (unquote).
From that I get the understanding that the cornet had a white field with blue and white fringe. What is within the white field offers two choices. I will make a decision in due course but here are the two mentioned above.
The most interesting part of the article however was the uniform. The reenactment group revealed four different issues that they use for their reenactment. I an simply repeating the article's designation for them - Issue 1, Issue 2, Civilian doublet, Oxford Army. The last was the most complete (if you were lucky to receive the full issue).
Red is the common colour (the unit was from the Midlands) although cut and quality was as individual as the people wearing them. Colour fast was not as good as it is today so even if issued the same cloth, its colour may fade over time due to the effects of weather, and natural wear and tear plus whatever other ailment afflicting the wearer.
Breeches are of varied cut and colouring - grey, brown, black, red...etc. Hose is usually of two types - a heavier fitted loosely over a stocking with the colouring for both being whatever was issued or available at the time. Shoes could be half (open) or closed sided. Dragoons carried three basic types of muskets ranging from the foot slogger's long version to the short dragon musket that could be slung off the shoulder.
QUEEN HENRIETTA'S REGIMENT OF HORSE
Did not expect to find anything but I was pleasantly surprised although the source I happened was not one I expected to find. But it is affirmed by another more flag-oriented site.
The source was quite specific about the details - French Royal Blue field with 28 gold fleur-de-lis and the Queen's crown in the upper top part. The fringe looks to be in gold. The image above is not the best. Perhaps I will redo using MS Paint (again). Two versions of fringe - the one above and the second had blue and gold fringe (lost at Naseby).
Small unit. Mustered in 1643 with 700 English Royalist and French (Queen's supporters). Had a reserve compliment of 150. No doubt those numbers would have dwindled fast through campaign attrition and replacements made up whatever they could recruit. At least that's my speculation.
NORTHERN HORSE
This collection of hard-hitting but ill-disciplined fighters came from the Northern support base. From the varying sources, the unit was a collection of many smaller units that banded to form one conglomerated unit. This would mean their standards would pertain to the individual small subordinated units that made up the unit whole. I have seen images from other blogs showing "Northern Horse" and recognised that the mission therefore will be to identify the component smaller units and replicate their flags into my list.
EARL OF NORTHAMPTON'S REGIMENT OF HORSE
Even though it's not officially part of the list, I've included this unit because I would like a backup reserve unit to use as a switch. Unfortunately I don't have the figures to complete this unit (yet). A full 4-stand unit. Notable for its plain dull green saddlecloth.
Two useful sources offer two versions. The first shows a unit in green with green flag with green and white/straw fringe with a scrolled motto. This is the one that appeals to me and has stayed in my memory uppermost.
The other version shows a unit in mostly buff coats, dull green saddlecloth (untrimmed) and a pale blue flag with pale blue and white fringe and some abstract image. A third source supports the second version for cornet colours but has no image shown. A fourth (albeit confusing) source states that the Earl of Northampton's regiment had "four blue colours" taken, one assumes, at Marston Moor (1644). Further investigation warranted.
END NOTE
Why not use proper flag books as there are many really good ones out there? I've asked myself that one too many times and never really come up with a simple and satisfying answer. Perhaps because I know so very little about the period and am enjoying educating myself as I journey into the period. This is certainly one sure way of the knowledge sticking firmly. At least that's my explanation and justification.
