| Gendarmes de Flandres | |
|---|---|
 Uniform of the company in 1764 | |
| Active | 12 April 1673 – 1 April 1788 |
| Country |
 Kingdom of France |
| Branch |
|
| Type | Heavy cavalry |
| Size | Company |
| Part of | 4th Squadron, Gendarmerie de France |
| Namestake | Province of Flanders |
| Nickname(s) | "Gendarmes Flamands" |
| Motto(s) | "Nec Pluribus Impar" |
| Colors |
Scarlet Buff |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Marshal of France, Ferdinand, Comte de Marsin |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |
 |
The Gendarmes de Flandres (Men-at-Arms of Flanders) was a company of heavy cavalry which was named for the province of French Flanders. The company was 12th in line of the Gendarmerie de France, following the Gendarmes Bourguignons and before the Gendarmes de la Reine. It formed part of the 4th Squadron, which grouped the Genadrmes de Flandres with the Chevaulégers d'Aquitaine.
History[]
The Gendarmes de Flandres, also known as the Gendarmes Flamands was formed on 12 April 1673, following the conquest of the Netherlands, and commanded by Captain-Lieutenant Ferdinand, Comte de Marchin. The company's strength could vary from five officers, eight NCOs and 40 troopers (including two trumpeters and a kettledrummer) in peacetime to 75 troopers per company in wartime. Some companies were called Gendarmes while others would be Chevaux-légers but there was no real difference; all were actually heavy cavalry units. The corps was in many battles, and its reckless charges by young bloods of the nobility made this division famous for its bravery.[1][2][3]
During the wars of Louis XIV, the company was involved in all major battles and sieges in Flanders, Germany, and Italy. In 1688, at the beginning of the Nine Years' War, the Gendarmerie de France served in Flanders, where it distinguished itself at the Battle of Leuze (September, 18, 1691), and on the Rhine. In 1693, it served in Italy under Catinat and distinguished itself at Marsaglia (October 4, 1693). In 1701 and 1702, at the beginning of the War of the Spanish Succession, the Gendarmerie de France served with the Army of Italy and fought in the Battle of Luzzara (August 15, 1702). In 1703, it served with the Army of Germany and fought in the Battle of Speyerbach (November, 15). In 1704, it was crushed in the disastrous Battle of Blenheim (August 13). From 1706 to 1713, it served in Flanders and on the Rhine and took part in the Battle of Oudenarde (July 11, 1708) and in the Battle of Malplaquet (September 11, 1709).[4]
In 1715, the Gendarmerie de France was posted in Paris; in 1719, at Metz and Thionville; and in 1721, in Franche-Comté. In 1733, at the outbreak of the War of the Polish Succession, the Gendarmerie de France joined the Army of the Rhine. In 1742, during the War of the Austrian Succession, the Gendarmerie de France joined the Army of Westphalia. In 1743, it campaigned in Alsace. From 1745 to 1748, it campaigned in Flanders, and distinguished itself at the Battle of Fontenoy (May 11, 1745), where four of its squadrons punched a hole in the famous column of the Duke of Cumberland; and in the battles of Rocoux (October 11, 1746) and Lauffeld (July 2, 1747). Until 1763 the headquarters of the Gendarmerie de France were at Châlons-sur-Marne while the company was quartered at Versailles.[4]
Seven Years War[]
In 1757, the eight squadrons of the Gendarmerie de France, including this company, were sent to reinforce the Army of the Lower Rhine. They joined the main body in Hesse in August. At the end of the year, they took their winter-quarters in the Hessian County of Hanau. By July 1758, all Gendarmerie squadrons had joined Soubise's Army assembling near Friedberg in Hesse. On October 10, the Gendarmerie was present at the Battle of Lutterberg where it was placed on the left wing of the first line. It was not involved into any serious fighting during this battle.[4]
At the end of January 1759, hearing of a possible involvement of the Netherlands in the war, Belle-Isle prepared 20 bns, 4 dragoon sqns and 15 pieces for Dunkerque; and 15 bns, 20 sqns (including the "Maison du Roi") and 10 pieces of artillery for Ghent ready to march on Antwerp and Bruges if the Dutch entered the war. At the beginning of June, the Gendarmerie was at Cologne as part of the corps under the Marquis de Poyanne. By June 18, it had joined the French offensive in Western Germany and was at Stadtberg. It was attached to the Cavalry Reserve. On July 4, it was part of a corps who took position in front of the village of Schildesche. On August 1, the regiment took part in the Battle of Minden where it was deployed in the third line of the cavalry centre under the command of the Marquis de Poyanne. Along with the Carabiniers, they attempted a third attack upon the 9 battalions (mostly British) who had already repulsed 2 cavalry charges. Their charge was more successful and they broke through the first line of Allied infantry. However, the second line received them with deadly fire and forced them to retire with heavy losses. On August 30, when the French main army took position between Bauerbach and Amöneburg, the Gendarmerie formed part of the Reserve. The Gendarmerie was so depleted that each squadron counted only some 120 men.[4]
By May 23 1760, the company was part of the Guards and Gendarmerie Reserve of Broglie's Army, placed under the command of M. de Duras. By September 13, the Gendarmerie was posted at Lichtenau between the Fulda and the Werra. By October 1, part of the unit was attached to d'Auvet's Division which was instructed to march towards Hachenburg. On October 13, the unit arrived at Neuss with Castries. On October 16, the Gendarmerie de France, under the Marquis de Lugeac, fought in the Battle of Clostercamp where it formed part of the Reserve deployed behind the left wing. On October 21, Castries sent the unit to Andernach. On November 1, the unit who had heavily suffered at Clostercamp, left Andernach and marched back to Thionville in France.[4]
In 1761, the company took the field with Soubise's Army. On July 16, it was present at the Battle of Vellinghausen but was not engaged. In 1762, the company formed part of Condé's Army of the Lower Rhine. On August 30, it was present at the Combat of Nauheim but was not engaged.[4]
Like all other gendarme companies, it was disbanded by ordnance on 1 April 1788 as part of cost saving measures. The color of the Flemish gendarmes' uniforms was dead-leaf brown (also known as "Buff"). The corners of the saddlecloths were adorned with two intertwined silver L's. The standard was blue with a sun illuminating the world and the motto: Nec pluribus impar (Not unequal to many). Exceptionally, the trumpet banners and the kettledrummer's apron were not the distinctive color. They were blue, like the standard.[1][4]
Captain-Lieutenants[]
The commanders of the company or Captaines-Lieutenants, included:[1][2][3]
- 12 April 1673 – 15 March 1698: Ferdinand, Comte de Marsin
- 15 March 1698 – 12 September 1716: Barthélemy de La Rochefoucauld, Chevalier de Roye
- 12 September 1716 – 14 June 1723: Henri-Charles de Saulx, Comte de Tavannes
- 14 June 1723 – 25 November 1734: Guillaume-Antoine de Beauvoir, Comte de Chatellux
- 25 November 1734 – 2 May 1744: Henri-Louis, Chevalier d'Aguesseau
- 2 May 1744 – 20 January 1747: N. Barentin de Montchal
- 20 January 1747 – 10 February 1759: Charles, Marquis de Lespéroux
- 10 February 1759 – 22 May 1760: Joseph-Marie, Comte de Lordat
- 22 May 1760 – 25 July 1762: Claude-Charles-Louis Destutt, Marquis de Tracy
- 25 July 1762 – 1765: N., Comte d'Aigreville
- 1765 – 1770: N. Comte de Rouhault
- 1770 – 1771: N. Vicomte de La Rivière
- 1771 – 1780: N. Marquis de Mornay
- 1780 – 1783: N. Marquis de Mirville
- 1783 – 1784: N. Comte d'Herculais
- 1784 – 1788: N. Comte de Lambertye
Uniform[]
The uniform of the company as per the Etrennes Militaires de 1758 and État-Militaire de 1761, was as follows: Black tricorne laced viler, with a black cockade; black cravate neck stock; coat was scarlet lined scarlet, bordered with a siler braid, with silver buttons and silver buttonholes, and a silver braid on each sleeve. The coat collar was scarlet laced silver, the shoulder straps were aurore (light orange), laced silver fastened with a silver button, pockets were horizontally place laced silver, each with 3 silver buttons and 3 silver buttonholes, and cuffs were scarlet en botte laced silver, ech with 3 silver buttons. Glove colours were buff, and the waistcoat was buff leather jerkin fastened with hooks and eyes and edged with a silver braid. The breeches were scarlet, while the crossbelt was buff bandoleer laced silver (carrying the aurore), the waistbelt was aurore laced silver, the scabbard was black leather with a silver tip, and black boots. The horse wore a scarled laced silver saddlecloth, the housings were scarlet laced silver with a crowned cipher consisting of two interwined L embroidered in silver.[1][2][3][5][6]
Equipment[]
Troopers were armed with a sabre (silver handle and aurore (light orange) cord), a pair of pistols and a rifle. Officially for combat they wore a blackened breast plate over their leather jerkin and they often removed their coat and folded it on the porte-manteau. In such an outfit, French cavalrymen looked quite the same as Prussian cuirassiers. In cold weather, the coat was worn over the breast plate. The horses of the troopers were of various colours. An aurore (light orange) rosette was knotted at their mane and tail.[1][2][5]
NCOs wore uniforms similar to those of the troops, but also wore a blackened brest plate over their leather jerkin for combat. Officers wore uniforms similar, except with silver braids on all seams of the coat, silver buttons, a full cuirass worn over the coat, and officers were armed with a strong sword.[1][2][5]
Trumpeteers and kettle-drummers wore a blue coat heavily laced with braids at the king's livery alternating with silver braids. The saddle cloth, housings as well as the aprons of the kettle-drums and the pennants of the trumpets were blue decorated in silver. The musicians were mounted on grey horses.[1][2][5]
Notes[]
References[]
- Susane, General of Artillery, Louis (1874). Historie de la Cavalerie Française: Tome Deuxième. Paris, Isle de France, French Third Republic: Librarie J. Hetzel.
- Pajol, Comte Charles Pierre Victor (1891). Les guerres sous Louis XV Tome VII. Librarie de Firming-Didot et cie. Paris, France.
- Hall, Robert (2005). Standards and Uniforms of the French Cavalry under Louis XIV 1688–1714.
- Lienhart, Dr. Leo; Humbert, René (1899). Les Uniformes de l'Armée Français: Recuil d'ordonnances de 1690 à 1894. II: Cavalerie. Leipzig, Kingdom of Saxony, German Empire: M. Ruhl Library.
- Chartrand, René (1996). Men-at-Arms Series: Louis XV's Army, Part I: the Cavalry and Dragoons. Fulham, London, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1855326026. OCLC 35910719.
- Desbrière, Brevet Commandant Édouard; Sautai, Captain Maurice (1906). La Cavalerie de 1740 à 1789. Paris & Nancy, France: Berger-Levrault & Company Editors.