The dress of Scottish mercenaries in Swedish service during the 30-years' war

[figheadair]

Interesting stuff you got there about the Dungiven find. Speaking of the plaid, would this checkered pattern do?



Besides, what is known about the measurments of 17th century plaids? I've heard that clansmen during the Jacobite Rebellion sported plaids measuring no less than six double ells - would that be valid for the 1600s as well?

Absolutely outstanding. Very much in the style of the plaid worn by Kenneth 3rd Lord duffus c1715.

[The Thing]

...Or, have even more fun by wearing tartan breeches, like the fellow second from the left:



This is, of course, the well-known image of Highlanders (probably from MacKay's) in Gustavus' army in the 1630s....

I looked at a website today and it says that the above picture is Irish Kerne (footsoldiers) in Swedish service. Below is the abstract concerning the picture.

Irish kerne (mercenaries) in Stettin during the Thirty Years War, probably serving as auxiliaries to the Swedish Army. The original German legend around this picture by G. Kaler translates as ‘In such bizarre costumes, the 800 Irishmen (or madmen) walk around Stettin … They are resilient and resourceful people who, if they don’t have bread to eat, dig. When necessity demands, they can walk twenty miles a day. In addition to their muskets, they are armed with bows and arrows and long knives.’

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The Highland Scots at this period were often referred to as "Irish" because of their language. Whoever posted on the website you consulted probably was ignorant of this fact. It is often the case when literally translating from one language to another that mistakes will be made-- just look at the English language directions that often accompany products made in the far east.

[Woodsheal]

The Highland Scots at this period were often referred to as "Irish" because of their language. Whoever posted on the website you consulted probably was ignorant of this fact. It is often the case when literally translating from one language to another that mistakes will be made-- just look at the English language directions that often accompany products made in the far east.

Exactly. Gaelic culture, language, and peoples - whether in Ireland proper or the Scottish Highlands - were referred to as "Irish" by the Lowland or English "Saxons" (another generalization!). More specifically, the Scots Highlanders were known as the "Wild Irish" of the mountains.

The image is definitely of Scottish mercenaries....

[Mikran]

Thanks for all your suggestions and helpful remarks so far, interesting points about the Mackay's regiment.

What kind of accessories would have been used at the time? Was the plaid always worn with a buckle? Was the sporran (or similar purses) around in the 1600s? Was the dirk/biodag still carried or would I be better off with a different kind of knife or dagger?

[freddie]

...Or, have even more fun by wearing tartan breeches, like the fellow second from the left:



This is, of course, the well-known image of Highlanders (probably from MacKay's) in Gustavus' army in the 1630s....

This picture always reminds me of ZZ Top !

[Radge]

Read somewhere that the fella on the far left is wearing a long sleeveless jacket that was typical of the Caithness region, which would tie in with the MacKay's Regt theory. BTW, the fella on the right seems to only armed with the a Dirk and a 'Stick'?

[Rab Gordon]

Here's some books that you'll probably find interesting, including one on the 30-year war;
http://books.google.co.uk/books?ei=e...G=Search+Books

Rab

[Radge]

Grand selection Rab.

[Old Hippie]

...Or, have even more fun by wearing tartan breeches, like the fellow second from the left:



This is, of course, the well-known image of Highlanders (probably from MacKay's) in Gustavus' army in the 1630s....

And the title says, roughly, "This is how the 800 Irish dress, who have arrived in Stettin." I'm not good in antique German, but it looks to me like "Irishmen or Crazy Persons." Hmmm...

The text, which I can't read accurately, says something about eating sausages because they don't have bread to eat (?), and running swiftly while carrying muskets, bows, and long knives.

Yeah, they're Highlanders.