Talk:Red coat (military uniform)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 85.85.148.202 (talk) at 10:27, 12 June 2012 (→‎Hanover, 18th century: new section). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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I'm not sure that I'd say that the term is "particularly associated with the British military which were fighting the American colonists during the American Revolution". In America, maybe but it wouldn't be the first context which would occur to me. Epeeist smudge 06:03, 13 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

This is what I've added in the 'thanks to the American media' part for. To Americans this is what comes to mind first thing and with the poor quality of history teaching in today's Britain with a complete overlook of the Napoleonic wars the influence of American TV shows is making it quite like that.--Josquius 13:19, 18 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

POV

"Though by the standards of today it would be both incredibly foolish and a waste of good men to wear a bright scarlet coat on a battle field...Many people with little grasp of actual historical knowledge however (particularly young Americans talking of the American Revolution) continue to apply the standards of today to the era of bright uniforms of which the British red coat was part."

I think somewhere in this there is probably a valid point, red is easier to see in difficult conditions but it's wrapped in such pejorative language that it needs radical change before inclusion. At least a citation from a decent source giving that as a reason need to be found - i've certainly heard other 'better' explantions and I fancy you will have a hard time proving one over another.Alci12 23:58, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Where can I put this?

Where? Dfrg.msc File:DFRG. MSC.jpg 12:44, 25 August 2006 (UTC) [[:Image:DFRLego 016.jpg|thumb| A Lego Redcoat fully equipt.]][reply]

Material

What were the coats made of?

Material

What was the material made of? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Cherries 80 (talkcontribs) 16:27, 20 February 2007 (UTC).[reply]

Regular

In most sources they are called "Regulars". Could someone change the name.

British Regulars already exists - maybe this should be merged? --82.13.146.160 21:44, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The "Red Coat" article traces the history of the uniform rather than the men ("Regulars") who wore it. I think it would be confusing if the two articles were run together. In addition the uniform article has a wider scope, ranging across three centuries of British Army and British Empire useage. Indian sepoys (for example) in 1857 were not known as regulars but most wore the red coat. The British Regulars article could perhaps be developed further to cover the recruitment, organisation etc of the British soldier during the historical periods that he was likely to be referred to by this name.Buistr 04:22, 11 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I've removed the link around "lobsterbacks", as it only routed to the Red coat page (i.e. linked to what you're already reading). If there's a more appropriate page for it to link to, please feel free to reinstate the link and provide it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.59.163.198 (talk) 13:00, 11 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Mother, may I?

Since there is a speacialty article on british soldiers. Could I make a speacialty aricle on, and not limited to, French or say German (Confederation of the Rhine, Confederation of Germany etc.). would that be OK? On second thought its wiki., I will anyway.Philippe Auguste 04:00, 24 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Stroudwater Scarlet reference required

The article on Stroud mentions the production of Stroudwater Scarlet cloth for military uniforms. Although it is mentioned in this article it does not seem to be widely referenced and is not mentioned in the Red coat article. Does anyone have any further information/references or opinions on the status of Stroudwater Scarlet cloth. Thanks. Lame Name (talk) 08:15, 19 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Colonial units in Spaniard service

The black and perhaps the Indian units raised in the Spanish Main in the 18th century were red-coated. The white and Spaniard units used to be white-coated, at least the line infantry.

See Siege of Pensacola, Spanish grenadiers (white coats) and black colonial militia men (red coats).

The Riflemen's Song at Bennington

Removed:

However an isolated earlier use of this term relating to the American War of Independence appears in "The Riflemen's Song at Bennington", an old folk song that supposedly[citation needed] goes back to the 1770s.


Which does indeed refer to the 1777 Bennington Battle but there is nothing to date the song, particularly the Red Coat version. Possibly the original lyric was: "Why come ye hither, stranger? Your mind what madness fills? In our valleys there is danger, And danger on the hills" which seems to have become "Why come ye hither, Redcoats, your mind what madness fills? In our valleys there is danger, and there's danger on our hills." for the Burl Ives collection Historical America in Song from 1950.

But without definite sources it reads like WP:OR Lame Name (talk) 19:24, 6 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

origin of the red

isn't the origin of the red, the colors of the Coat of Arms of Cross of St. George. After all, the Tudor uniforms mentioned in this article are gold and red like the English coat of arms, as well as being common practice. 67.176.160.47 (talk) 04:59, 5 August 2010 (UTC)[reply]

No the choice goes back to the cheapest plentiful dye available to the NMA.[1][2][3][4] On that line I think these sentences
However, the uniforms of the Yeoman of the Guard (formed 1485) and the Yeomen Warders (also formed 1485) have traditionally been in Tudor red and gold and indicate that the tradition of English Infantry wearing red coats may long predate the formation of the New Model Army. At Edgehill, the first battle of the Civil War, the King's lifeguard had worn red coats, as had at least two Parliamentary regiments.
And? Because in the English civil wars in the 1640s on both sides and depending on the regiment there were red coats, white coats (grey), russet coats, tawny orange coats, green coats, and blue coats. All the gentlemen donned a buffcoat -buff in colour, needless to say-, and the Scottish covenanters were issued with grey garments and a beret-like blue bonnet (I forgot it: the Highlanders's shirt was saffron)(and one Scottish regiment was clad in black).

should be removed unless there are reliable sources to support them. The comment on Edgehill just goes to show that each regiment, if it dressed in a common colour it was chosen by its colonel. That is the reason one reads of sashes and ribbons being used to identify friend from foe. -- PBS (talk) 04:01, 11 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Irish infantry in French and Spanish Service

They were a sort of British legitimist army in exile. By 1800 the Spanish regiments that were on paper Irish -and the Naples Regiment- were issued with light blue coats with yellow facings.

"http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Irlanda_Infantry"
"http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Bulkeley_Infanterie"

Dress Uniform in Ertzaintza (Basque Police Force)

Hardly used. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.85.148.202 (talk) 10:28, 14 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Coldstream Guardsman 2006

A small point, perhaps, but the Guardsman in this photo looks terrible. I am surprised he was allowed on parade. His tunic is ill fitting. His trousers are too long. He appears to be undersized. Is he a civilian dressed up for some reason?

Surely a more suitable image of the last surviving example of the red coat in use could be found? JF42 (talk) 11:21, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Hanover, 18th century

The Elector of Hanover happened to be king of Great Britain_"http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Scheither_Infantry"