num_pages: 334
description: This book explores the concept raising equipping composition organization and operational role of dragoons during the British Civil Wars. It also provides information about known dragoon units and their activities across a relatively broad geographical and chronological range and challenges previous interpretations in the light of more recent research. As such this represents the first sustained study of early-modern dragoons. These soldiers were an essential part of seventeenth-century armies even if some contemporaries reflected uncertainties about their precise function. Arguably as part of the wider context of military revolution in the tactics and prosecution of war in Europe during the Thirty Years War in particular the medium harquebusiers and mounted infantry continued to evolve. Although dragoons occasionally delivered mounted charges their distinctive character dictated that they were employed in operations where mobility was essential  the seizing of bridges and strongholds raiding reconnaissance patrolling and foraging. Dragoons were also used for defending hedges and passes specialist siege operations and in providing covering fire for both the horse of foot.In terms of organization various regiments of dragoons and autonomous companies (referred to also as troops) were recruited by all armies although some came and went and several units remain obscure both in their origins and history. Some companies were attached to regiments of Horse following the continental practice which was also adopted by the Scottish armies. Some authors have suggested that civil-war dragoons were a fighting elite who were often commanded by professional soldiers and recruited from veterans of other conflicts. There is some truth in this  officers such as Prince Rupert Sir Arthur Aston and Colonel James Wardlaw led and promoted their role  although there are various examples of inexperienced and poorly equipped and officered dragoon units during the early stages of the wars. Nevertheless some military experience is evident from the early stages of the fighting in England when some Royalist dragoons seemed better trained and disciplined than the rest of the army. For the Parliamentarians many recruits were obtained in London from returning veterans and foreign professionals. Among Sir William Breretons dragoons some captains were commissioned in the capital and in 1642 most of the recruits enlisted there possibly in part from Dutchmen or from British soldiers returning from abroad. Moreover Colonel Hugh Frasers Covenanters were built around four complete companies returned from continental service whilst the regiment was considered the stoutest in the army.This book therefore covers the following the origins and role of dragoons; combined arms tactics and specialist operations; organization and composition of dragoon units; pay and quarter; arms and ammunition; standards equipment and clothing; horses equine care saddlery and fodder; the Oxford Army; the Earl of Essexs Army; the Eastern Association Army; the New Model Army; and the role of dragoons in regional warfare.
language: English
title: Dragoons and Dragoon Operations in the British Civil Wars, 1638-1653
publisher: Helion and Company