Redcoat (Civ6)/Civilopedia

The red (or, more accurately, the shade rose madder) coat of the British infantry evolved from the ceremonial uniforms of the early 1600s; it was officially adopted in February 1645 AD when Parliament drafted the regulations for the New Model Army, with the 12 regiments of foot all wearing red coats with different colored facings to distinguish between them. For the next quarter-millennia most of the British infantry wore such, making them splendid targets among the trees, dunes, jungles and hills of the Empire. The rationale for such a choice was that (despite the fiction it was because bloodstains were disheartening for the men) red coats were instantly identifiable on the field in an age prior to use of smokeless powder, where battlefield visibility was a greater problem than tactical concealment. This choice of uniform hence helped maintain order, combat efficiency and morale (although not all British forces would use red uniforms). The term “redcoat” became a source of pride for the British, and a curse word for just about everyone else.