Soldiers' Clothing of the Early 17th Century: Britain and Western Europe 1618-1660

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Laurence Spring

Soldiers' Clothing of the Early 17th Century

Britain and Western Europe 1618-1660

Laurence Spring

$90

Paperback

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English

Helion & Company
01 July 2024

European history; Early modern history: c 1450 to c 1700; Weapons & equipment; Uniforms & insignia

Series: Century of the Soldier 1618-1721

Soldiers' Clothing of the Early 17th Century is a comprehensive study of the clothing worn by soldiers during the Thirty Years War and the British Civil Wars. The book delves into the changing fashion trends of soldiers' clothing during the early seventeenth century, with detailed chapters on various items of clothing, the contracts and supply system, and challenges the idea that there was no uniformity at the beginning of the century.

There have been books written about military clothing during the early seventeenth century before, but never in this detail. This book is the result of over 30 years of research in the archives of record offices and libraries, recording minute details of clothing and coat colors. By examining thousands of archives and pamphlets, it challenges the idea that there was no uniformity within regiments or companies at the beginning of the century. Hundreds of contemporary illustrations, paintings and even surviving items of clothing were consulted to discover the soldiers' appearance.

The first part of Soldiers' Clothing of the Early 17th Century looks at the individual items of clothing and how fashion changed over the years., as well as the contracts granted to merchants who supplied this clothing and the abuses that were made by some merchants and the corruption of the officers at the soldiers' expense. Some soldiers were so poor that they had to sell their clothing to survive. It was also part of the humiliation of a prisoner of war to be stripped of his clothing. It also investigates the supply system of these clothes, which could further lead to corruption, and how they were transported to the armies to be distributed to the armies.

The second part looks at the clothing of the various Parliamentary and Royalist Armies, the army sent to Ireland during the 1640s, and the Scottish Armies during the Bishops' and Civil Wars. It also attempts to solve the often-asked question of whether the trained bands were issued with clothing.

Finally, there is an examination of clothing issued to the armies of Denmark, the Dutch Republic, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and Sweden. Since soldiers' clothing did not begin at the start of the Thirty Years War, in these chapters, the author looks at the issue of clothing from the turn of the century, if not before.

The book is essential for those interested in seventeenth-century military history, fashion, and re-enactors and wargamers of the period. Although the book does not include patterns and advice on how to make each item, it provides an in-depth and fascinating look at soldiers' clothing during the early seventeenth century.

43 b/w illustrations, tables throughout

By: Laurence Spring
Imprint: Helion & Company
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 118
Dimensions: Height: 249mm, Width: 180mm,
ISBN: 9781804514443
ISBN 10: 1804514446
Series: Century of the Soldier 1618-1721
Pages: 349
Publication Date: 01 July 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Laurence Spring studied at the Universities of London and Aberystwyth. He is also a qualified archivist, and has worked for many years at the Surrey History Centre. He has researched the early seventeenth century for many years and has written on various aspects of the English Civil War. He has also written many books on the Russian Army during the Napoleonic Wars as well as several articles for the “Surrey in the Great War” website. Since he has an archival background he prefers to search through archives looking for various interesting facts for his books, rather than relying on printed sources, which give a vivid insight to the subject and are not mentioned in secondary sources. Using this method, he has found evidence that contradicts the established ‘facts’ on many subjects.