These two Protestant countries were two of the major players of the war. Both armies were of good quality, (Breitenfeld aside, the Saxon Army probably was the third best army of the war, after Tilly's Catholic Leaguers and the Swedes.) Both did not have the size and staying power to go it alone in the war and eventually had to switch sides to survive. So, Saxon and Danish troops fought on both sides and make a great allied contingent that can be used for either side. Both armies tended to dress well, until the treasury became exhausted.

SAXONY

Saxony dressed as Protestants and fought tactically as Imperialists. There is an abundance of information in The Armies of Ducal Saxony in The Thirty Years War by Belarus (Trns. Condrey). As this is a rare book, the following is a summary along with other sources. The Saxons used buff more than most armies, for both pants and coats. They were also found of striped shirts, blue and yellow being most common. Hats were gray, black, and unusually, sometimes white. OFFICERS wore black jackets or doublets and black pants. Any sleeves showing were yellow striped. A gray hat and coat completed their garb. HORSE furniture would be yellow, red, yellow and black striped, or green with gold trim for the generals and their bodyguards. The Saxons used yellow sashes and trim if not noted for a particular battle.

Saxony prior to 1623 and most Protestant militia were outfitted in the following manner. All foot wore gray hats, short gray coats with red collars and cuffs, and gray or buff pants. Pikemens ' armor was blackened and the pike wore white collars. Pikemen usually wore buff pant and buff coats under their armor. The Dresden Militia guard wore blue and yellow and were an exception to the general rule. The Saxon Cavalry of this period was formed from the feudal levy into two regiments. The 3/4 armor was regulation issue and blackened. Schliebers ' Regiment wore red coats and Goldsteins ' Regiment wore yellow coats. The pants color varied by squadron and gray, black, blue, and buff is mentioned. This army is basically Saxonys ' militia and could be used as such throughout the war. The color combinations were typical for Protestant militias.

Post 1623 Saxons. Artillerists, pioneers, and dragoons attached to artillery wore blue coats with yellow trim. Pants could be blue or yellow. Saxon dragoons not attached wore blue coats with gold trim. The cavalry wore black, white, red, and brown coats with gold trim under their armor with the squadron pants as before. Some cavalry also wore red, black, and brown coats with silver trim. Additionally, yellow coats with black trim and white coats with red trim was worn. Saxon foot combinations included red coats with yellow trim, red and white, yellow and black, green and white, and blue with red.

DENMARK

Denmark uniformed elite units in red, with green, blue, or yellow cuffs and stockings. Christian IVs ' personal unit of foot, (the Blue Regiment), wore blue with white trim by 1625, (and was armed with firelocks.) Hats were gray. Other foot wore green, (Two Regiments), yellow, (1 regiment), and red. Danish harquebusiers wore light blue coats. English troops (Morgans from Palantine and Mansfields service) and Scottish troops (Monroe) probably wore blue.

The cavalry's First regiment wore red cassocks and the Second regiment wore blue cassocks. Pants were red, blue and yellow by squadron. The queens' regiment of foot may have worn red with green trim. Tarnstrom's The Sword of Scandinavia is a surprising fount of information. So the well dressed and equipped Saxon and Danish Armies marched out and did battle with Tilly's "ragged soldiers with bright (well maintained) muskets" and were thrashed.

More Uniforms of the 30 Years War

General Introduction
France and Savoy
Denmark and Saxony
Imperial Armies
Protestant
Sweden
Bibliography