Ind Coys reference. What were Blazons?

[figheadair]

Hopefully one of the rabble with more knowledge on dress can help answer a question on early regimental dress. The records of the Highland Independent Companies (later 43nd Black Watch) contain reference to the purchase of Bonnets, Plaids , shoes, Blazons over a 3 year period 1731 -34.

Were Blazons some item of dress or were they some sort of small company flag which is the usual meaning of the word?

[Jock Scot]

I really don't know Peter, but my thoughts do venture towards "flags".

[Orvis]

Peter - My guess is that the term "blazons" refers to a type of flag, such as camp colours (independent companies had no large "regimental" colours) or possibly pipe banners. Until the 1751 Royal Clothing Warrant forbad the practice, commanding officers were permitted to have their coat-of-arms (i.e., armorial blazon) depicted on their unit's colours and drums, and their field musicians (such as pipers and drummers) may have worn a uniform in the livery colours of their commander, rather than the usual "reversed" coloured uniform coats.

"Blazons" is an obscure term that I've not seen with regard to 18th c. British uniforms. When I get home (I'm at work), I'll check my copy of Thomas Simes' "Universal Military Dictionary" of 1768 to see if the term is listed there. If it is not, one must keep in mind that the term may have been used (at least in Scotland) in the 1720's but passed out of use by the 1760's.

[Orvis]

Peter - My guess is that the term "blazons" refers to a type of flag, such as camp colours (independent companies had no large "regimental" colours) or possibly pipe banners. Until the 1751 Royal Clothing Warrant forbad the practice, commanding officers were permitted to have their coat-of-arms (i.e., armorial blazon) depicted on their unit's colours and drums, and their field musicians (such as pipers and drummers) may have worn a uniform in the livery colours of their commander, rather than the usual "reversed" coloured uniform coats.

"Blazons" is an obscure term that I've not seen with regard to 18th c. British uniforms. When I get home (I'm at work), I'll check my copy of Thomas Simes' "Universal Military Dictionary" of 1768 to see if the term is listed there. If it is not, one must keep in mind that the term may have been used (at least in Scotland) in the 1720's but passed out of use by the 1760's.

All - I checked my copy of Simes' "Universal Military Dictionary of 1768 and no mention there of blazons. Again, I am of the opinion that in the 1720's, the term referred to the armorial blazon of the proprietary Independent Company Captain on his company's drums and camp colours.

Jock, I hadn't thought of armorial sleeve badges for pipers, nor had I heard of them at that period, but it certainly is not beyond the realm of possibility since there is so little detailed knowledge about Highland uniforms at that early date. Perhaps physical evidence or detailed documentation will turn up!

[figheadair]

I came across another interesting reference in the early papers (Gen. Wade's I believe) relating badges. Dated May 1725: 'You are to send lists of the Company every four months.......... - the number of their badges to be put before each mans nameand when you have cause to change any of your men or to fill up vancancies you are to give the badge to the Man who succeeds'.

From the description is reads as though these badges were some sort of insignia with a serial number, presumably metal. I would be surprised if they were a capbadge at that time so perhaps some sort of coat or even plaid brooch?

Thoughts anyone?

[Orvis]

Interesting. I had not seen that reference before, nor have I seen any references relating to early Highland military uniforms (especially in the Independent Companies) that mentions badges.

This is pure conjecture, but badges may have been issued in the context of modern police badges, i.e., to certify that the individual Highlander was indeed a member of an Independent Company, who in those early days were 1) engaged in law enforcement activities and 2) may not yet have been fully uniformed in red coat, Government tartan, etc, for identification purposes. I can imagine that a problem may have existed from unscrupulous Highlanders attempting to pass themselves off as Independent Company members to gain some sort of advantage over prospective victims.

What form did these blazons/badges take? Has anybody seen one? To the best of my knowledge, Highland regiments didn't start putting regimental numbers/titles (except for regimental names and rack marks on muskets, bayonets and swords) on regimental uniform items until the American War of Independence.

[MacEanruig]

I think it might be the embroidered patches and insignia including that which is sewn onto regimental flags as well as uniforms. A blazon normally refers to the language of heraldry. An emblazonment would be the visually depiction of the heraldry.

[neloon]

What the dictionaries say:-

Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue
Blason , n. Also: blasoune, -owne, -ane; blassoun, -one; blaisson.[ME. blasoun (c 1325), blason, OF. blason.] A shield or breastplate bearing a charge or coat of arms; the charge or coat of arms itself; a badge of office of this nature.

Oxford English Dictionary
s.v. blazon n.
Sc. Law. The badge of office worn by a king's messenger on his arm.

Alan

[Bruce Scott]

From: The British Army: Its Origin, Progress, and Equipment, Volume 2:

"The roll of Caerlaverlock gives the blazons of the banners of nearly 100 of the nobles and bannerets who were present at the siege with Edward I in 1300."

The quote is from a section of the book headed 'Pennons and Guidons'.

It can be seen at p.11 here:
https://books.google.com.au/books?id...lazons&f=false

A definition:
Blazon: to depict (heraldic arms or the like) in proper form and color.

[figheadair]

Thanks all. Seems to confirm my initial thoughts and the fact that this was not an item of dress despite being lumped in with items of clothing.