It has recently been stated in C18th MN&Q that little is known about the Spanish army of the late C17th and early Cl8th. It is not easy to find information on the uniforms of this multi-national composite army, scattered as it was over distant territories. The army of the Spanish monarchy included Italians from the Duchy of Milan and the Kingdoms (ruled by Viceroys or Governors) of Naples, Sicily and Sardinia; Waloons and the Flemish from their Flanders possessions and, of course, Spaniards. It was usual to have regiments of some nationalities in garrison in other countries, thus Italians and Flemish in Spain, Flemish and Spanish in Italy.... In addition Swiss and German units were also supplied, both from the German states and Austrian possessions, until the War of the Spanish Succession broke out.

When at the end of 1700 the French Duke of Anjou, Philip, as heir to the late Charles II (of Hapsburg) was declared King of Spain as Philip V the throne was also claimed by the Austrian Charles III. The war that ensued was fought by France and Spain on one side, and the Empire, Great Britain, the United Provinces and most of the European states on the other.

The Spanish army at the beginning of the new century was not at its best. The late king had been ill for a long time and many organisational matters had been disregarded. The new king (or, rather the King of France, Louis XIV) immediately attempted to reshape the army along the lines of the French. Here it should not be forgotten that war was raging in Spain at this time. Charles Ill was occupying Catalonia with Barcelona as his capital. It was not easy to build magazines or prepare supplies and uniforms and equipment had often brought in from France.

At the end of 1704 the whole of the Spanish army on Spanish territory, where old units had been reorganised and new ones created, was to be issued with new clothing. The task was given to French merchants. I was lucky enough to find at the SHAT Vincennes Archives in Paris the list of the uniforms that were supplied to the Spanish units that were to campaign in Spain against the Austrians and allies. Unfortunately no indication of which units received which uniform is given. Other units in Flanders and Italy received clothing and equipment from the countries in which they were garrisoned.

It can be argued that the dress was completely on the French pattern, consisting of a Juste-au-corps with wides cuffs and a pair of breeches. Waistcoats were also issued, generally of the colour of the lining and cuffs. Stockings were either white or of the regimental colour. The hat was black, the cockade of which was red (or possibly red and white to show the alliance between Spain and France)

Until 1706 many Spanish units were still dressed in the traditional colours of the old Tercios and by which some were named (the Reds, the Blues etc); in 1706 Philip V decided to dress his troops more in the French manner and issued an order that the infantry were to be dressed in white (the exceptions being the Spanish and Waloon guards and some Royal regiments in blue, Irish regiments in red and the Swiss in blue or red). Walloon units at this period were generally dressed in grey-white with cuffs of varying colours (SHAT). Since 1701 anyway Italian and Spanish troops in newly raised units had been dressed mostly in white or light grey. The Cavalry was similarly dressed in varying colours.

This is the fist of Clothing (juste-au- corp, waistcoat, breeches, shirt, cravat, stockings shoes and hat) that were supplied to Spanish troops in Spain in December 1704

No.	Coat Colours	Lining and Cuffs
INFANTRY
600	Blue	Red
200	Violet	Red
200	Green	Red
200	Green	Green
600	Red	Blue
200	Red	Yellow
600	Yellow	Blue
200	Yellow	Red
200	White	White
800	White	Blue
200	White	Red
CAVALRY
1,200	Blue	Red
200	Blue	White
600	Red	Blue
200	White	Blue
200	White	Red

In the same year the two regiments of the Spanish Guards and Waloon Guards were dressed and organised on the French pattern in Blue with red linings and cuffs, although the Waloon Guards, formed 1702, were initially dressed in grey with blue lining and cuffs.

The cavalry regiments Reina and Real Asturias were given new clothing in 1704. The first regiment had red coats with white metal buttons with blue cuffs, lining waistcoat, breeches and stockings. The hat had white lace and a red cockade. On the coat there was white lace braiding on the button holes. Cloaks were also blue. The Real Asturias was dressed in white with yelow metal buttons, yellow lace on hat and coat. Cuffs, lining, waistcoat, breeches, stockings and cloak blue as with Reina [EL EJERCITO DE LOS BORBONES by M Gomez Ruiz and V. Alonso Juanola. 1989]