Drottningens Livregemente

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Origin and History

The regiment was raised in 1703 for Lieutenant-colonel Grundel.

During the Great Northern War, the regiment took part in the campaign in Scania in 1710.

On September 8 1722, the regiment was designated “Drottningens Livregemente” (Queen's Guard Regiment). This permanent unit consisted of 12 companies of about 127 men each, in a single battalion of 1,530 men (mostly Germans).

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:

• in 1757: J. Adlerstråle
• from 1759: von Hoepschen

Service during the War

Until 1757, 4 companies of the regiment garrisoned Stralsund in Swedish Pomerania while 600 men were stationed in various places in Sweden: Kalmar, Karlshamn, Varberg and Göteborg.

By the end of August 1757, the entire regiment (about 1,400 men) had been transported across the Baltic towards Swedish Pomerania.

On August 27 1759, during the campaign of Pomerania, the regiment formed part of the force under the command of Major Anrep who, after an artillery preparation, stormed Swinemünde, capturing Lieutenant-colonel Prentz, 80 men and 4 guns. However, part of the Prussian defenders managed to take refuge in the "West Redoubt" which the Swedes were forced to besiege in forms. On September 16, after a preparation of artillery, the regiment took part in the assault and capture of the fortified town of Wollin, attacking the Wicker Gate. On October 1, the regiment followed Fersen's Corps when it left the Oder islands to join the Swedish Main Army in Pasewalk.

To do: campaigns from 1758 to 1763

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1756 - Source: Kronoskaf

Uniform Details

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne laced white with a brass button on the left side Grenadier Prussian style mitre with a blue bag (because of the great similarity of the Prussian and Swedish grenadiers, in the field the mitre was covered with a black wax cloth)
Neckstock	black
Coat	dark blue with 10 brass buttons down the front with white trimmed buttonholes and 2 brass buttons at small of the back Collar white Shoulder Straps on the left shoulder with one brass button Lapels none Pockets on each side with 3 brass buttons each Cuffs white Turnbacks white
Waistcoat	white
Breeches	white
Gaiters	white stockings with brown leather strap at knee
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt broad white leather shoulder-strap Waistbelt white with brass buckle Cartridge Box black Bayonet Scabbard none Scabbard black with brass fittings Footgear black shoes with brass buckles

Troopers were armed with a sword and a musket. The bayonet was permanently fixed to the musket.

Other interpretations

Schirmer as well as Pengel and Hurt mention brass button.

NCOs

NCOs wore uniforms similar to those of the privates with the following distinctions:

• a silver lace on the tricorne
• brass buttons (smaller than those of officers)

NCOs carried halberds but no cane.

Officers

Officers wore a blue uniform (coat) with blue distinctives (collar, cuffs, turnbacks). They were further distinguished from privates by:

• a gold lace on the tricorne
• no turnbacks on the coat
• a silver gorget
• brass buttons
• blue or black breeches (breeches of the same colour as those of the privates were also worn)

N.B.: contrarily to the custom in other armies, Swedish officers did not wear any sash

Horses were equipped with blue housing with a white border.

Musicians

Musicians probably wore a white coat with blue swallow nests on the shoulders.

The drums were brass. The rims were blue with yellow edging.

Colours

The pikes used as staffs to carry the colours were always yellow. The Liffana had gold finials while the Kompanifana had steel finials. The colours measured 2.12 x 1.70 m. (1.81 x 1.33 m. as per Clifford).

Liffana (colonel flag): white field; centre device probably consisting of the golden crowned king's cipher “AR”; 1 gold queen crown in each corner.

Kompanifana (ordonnance flag): blue field; centre device consisting of the golden crowned king's cipher “AR”; 1 gold queen crown in each corner.

Liffana - Source: Hannoverdidi

Kompanifana - Source: Hannoverdidi

References

Großer Generalstab: Die Kriege Friedrichs des Großen - Dritter Teil: Der Siebenjährige Krieg 1756–1763. Vol. 6 Leuthen, Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II (Publisher), Berlin 1904, pp.92-107, Annex pp. 11-16

Högman, Hans: Svenska regementen under indelningsverkets dagar (broken link)

Höglund, Lars-Eric and Ake Sallnäs: The Great Northern War 1700-1721, Colours and Uniforms, Acedia Press, Karlstadt, 2000

Pengel, R. D. and G. R. Hurt: Swedish Army in Pomerania – 1757-1763, Birmingham, 1983

Purky, Jim: Swedish Army Organization, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No. 1

Säwe, Teofron: Sveriges deltagande i Sjuåriga Kriget Åren 1757-1762, Beijers Bokförlagsaktiebolag, Stockholm, 1915

Schirmer, Friedrich: Die Heere der kriegführenden Staaten 1756-1763, vol. III, published by KLIO-Landesgruppe Baden-Württemberg, Neuauflage 1989, pp. 25-38

Schorr, Dan: Swedish Flags 1757-1762 - Part II Infantry Flags, The Courrier, March-April 1980

Schorr, Dan: Uniforms of the Swedish Army, 1757-1762, The Courrier, June-July 1979

Wilson, Peter: The Swedish Army in 1756, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No. 1

N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.