RP No 82 NYW - Lord Clare's Dragoons

First day back to work, I'm knackered, stayed up far too late playing Call of Duty last night, then up at 4 o'clock, I'm not getting any younger!!!! Fran's his normal happy-go-lucky self! He says his given up painting silly bloody figures and he wants me to paint more of his crap!! Been playing poker on Facebook and had a Maccy D's breakfast wrap so I feel a little more human now.............anyway.........

Lord Clare's Dragoons

A leading supporter of King James in, County Clare was Daniel O’Brien, 3rd Lord Clare, who lived in Carrigaholt Castle. In January 1689, Lord Clare seized Clare Castle. On his orders the Protestant men of military age were rounded up and imprisoned in the castle, since their loyalty to King James could not be counted on.

However not all Ireland supported King James; the Protestants of Ulster supported William of Orange. It was clear war would have to be fought to decide who would eventually own the land and thus the wealth of Ireland. To help with the war effort a three monthly tax of £1,798 was levied on County Clare. A Cavalry regiment known as Clare Dragoons was established. They were called dragoons because it was thought the smoke rising from their muskets resembled dragons. A supply of good horses was essential for this regiment, so an order was issued for the seizure of all horses in the county for the service of the king.

The hastily recruited dragoons had little experience of fighting and so did poorly in battle. The regiment was sent north to help with the siege of Derry in July 1689. They were drawn into an ambush at a narrow pass in Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh and cut to pieces and routed by a superior force.

 Clare’s Dragoons were disbanded and the troops placed into other units. A year later the unit was reorganized and participated in the Battle of the Boyne as one of two regiments of King James’ cavalry that is said to have performed poorly.

 Upon defeat at the Boyne in 1691, Lord Clare was outlawed and his estates in Clare forfeited to the Crown. He died later that year .

The figures are from Essex and are actually French Dragoons, there is no information about their uniform other than being known as the Yellow Dragoons, whether that meant coat colour, cuff colour or even flag colour, I don't know, so I've gone for a grey coat cuffed yellow, with yellow banners.

1st Squadron

2nd Squadron

Dis-mounted Dragoons