This short article is not intended to be a comprehensive source for uniform colors, just an overview. There are several books (Osprey, Brassey and Blandford Press) devoted to uniforms of the English Civil War. My purpose is to provide some painting tips for the miniature's player. The term uniform in those days often referred only to the coat and pants. Armor worn outside would often hide much of the color.

The same style of hats and helmets were often used by both sides, though the wide brim hat with wild feathers has often been used in paintings to signify Royalist troops. Several methods of loyalty distinctions were used on uniforms but the same types and colors were used by both sides in different and sometimes the same battles. Among cavalry units, the armor and buff coats which were common wear covered any undergarments which may have been in a facing color. As a result it seems that a common practice was for the cavalrymen to wear a sash in the same color as the unit's standard/flag with a further field sign often being worn.

Unit clothing was a local procurment issue with funds provided by the commander or in some cases the locality from which the unit was raised. As a result it was not uncommon for a unit to change colors when a new commander had been appointed or after the current material wore out. For example Thomas Pinchback's Graycoats continued to wear gray for a period of time under Sir Henry Bard until it eventually switched to red. In regards to units of the same locality wearing the same color, the following colors were associated with these regions. Newcastle wore white. Royalist Midland troops wore blue. Parlimentarian East Anglia forces wore red.

While it may be considered a common practice for foot regiments to wear the same color as the unit's standard/colours, this was not always the case. Among Royalist forces, the King issued 'notices' that Generals and their personal commands should carry red standards. Also it was not uncommon for a Royalist regiment to be placed under the command of a temporary commander for a battle or campaign. For example it seems that the Earl Rivers regiment was almost always placed under the command of a temporary commander. Also with the issue of new clothing, variations between the color of a unit's uniform and standard could occur.

Colors of Dye

In regards to the exact colors of dye, the shade of a color would vary with the batch of cloth being done. Dye pigment combination would vary for the same color depending on where or when the batch of cloth was done. Also several sources indicated that the Newcastle Rgts uniforms were supposed to be red but that dye was unavailable. Being that undyed cloth would vary in shades from a white to various shades of gray or tan, this could account for some of the reported variations in uniform colors for the Newcastle (listed as off-white) and other units.

There are indications that other methods were used to distinguish between units wearing the same color of coat. In a command of several same colored coats, the use of different colored standards helped identify a specific regiment. Also an attempt was made to issue the same colored pants or even stockings to a specific regiment. The rigors of campaigning would cause tremendous wear, especially on the pants. As a result pants in practice would vary in color according to what the individual soldier could obtain.

Another practice was to vary the color of the coat's lining which could be turned back on the sleeve to reveal a sort of facing color at the wrist. This was a common practice among the New Model Army Regiments which were almost all dressed in a Venetian shade of red coats. However, for the miniature painter, the use of same colored pants or stockings would help distinguish a unit on the board. For example Sir Thomas Glenham's regiment wore a gray coat, black pants and yellow hose. Also the King's Regiment wore a burgundy coat with burgundy pants and white hose while it's brigaded partner, The Queen's Regiment wore a burgundy coat with black pants and white hose.

Regimental List

The below list of regiments should not be used as an Order of Battle guide. For the most part, commander's are listed with a single regiment having several different commanders. As noted earlier, the Earl Rivers regiment almost always fought under an assigned officer rather than the owner of the regiment. Also I am not an expert of royal titles and who held them, so I may have a commander listed under both his title and Christian name.

My recommendation as a painting guide for the gamer, the following methods should be used. For those foot troops with sashes, use red for Royalist and dark orange for Parliamentary troops. On soldier's hats paint a white mark (representing paper or a handkerchief) for Parliamentary troops and a Green mark (represents a type of foliage) or a red hat band for Royalist troops. Remember these are only suggestions. While the Royalist never used orange or rarely white, the Parliamentarians sometimes used red and often used foliage. Sometimes a side would not wear any type of mark. The use of assigned pants and hose colors will be of great help in distinguishing between the various Scots units.

More English Civil War Uniform Notes

Introduction
Scotland
Royalist Foot Regiments
Parliamentary Foot Regiments
Selected Bibliography on the English Civil War