Earl of Essex’s Guard of Halberdiers
| Active | 1642 to 1645 |
| Country | England |
| Allegiance | Parliamentarian |
| Conflicts | First Civil War |
| Type | Foot |
| Colonel | Earl of Essex |
| Area Raised | South East |
| Coat Colour | Grey |
| Flag Colour | None |
| Flag Design | None |
| Field Armies | Essex 1642-5 |
Parliamentarian Halberdiers serving as a personal guard for the Earl of Essex
Service History
1642
- September: Battle of Edgehill
- November: Standoff at Turnham Green?
1643
- April: Siege of Reading?
- April: Battle of Caversham Bridge?
- September: First Battle of Newbury?
1644
- August: Battle of Lostwithiel?
1645
- April: Disbanded
Notes
A non-regimented unit of thirty halberdiers, they served as a personal guard to the Earl of Essex as Lord General of the Parliamentary army. They guarded the General’s quarters as well as serving in the field. One unusual duty was entertaining the King’s trumpeters during truces. They served alongside Essex until disbandment in 1645 but had been reduced to twenty members in early 16441).
Coats, Flags and Equipment
They were equipped with halberds and 14 partizans and wore a unique uniform of a grey cassock liberally festooned with over 180 silver and orange buttons costing £4 10s for each man.
Notable Officers
Robert Devereaux, Third Earl of Essex
Earl of Essex (1591-1646)
Captain Thomas Pudsey
Lt Richard Sweynson
Strength
- 1642 to 1644: 30 men
- 1644 to 1645: 20 men
See Also
Links
1)
Old Robin's Foot, Stuart Peachey & Alan Turton, 1987. Partizan Press.
