2nd Sjællandske Cuirassiers
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Origin and History
The regiment was raised in 1670 in Holbæk, Dragsholm, Kalundborg, Ringsted, Sorø and Andvorskov counties. In 1675, it was divided in the 1st Sjællandske Cuirassiers and 2nd Sjællandske Cuirassiers.
In 1700, during the Great Northern War (1700-21), the regiment was in Holstein.
From 1701 to 1713, during the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment served in the pay of the Dutch Republic with the army of the “Sea Powers.”
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the successive colonels of the regiment were:
- from 14 March 1685: Mathias Nummesen (aka Numsen)
- from 10 February 1703: Johan Rantzau
- from 18 June 1708: Kristen Juel
- from 18 July 1710: Kristian Rantzau
The regiment was broken up in 1721.
Service during the War
Throughout the war, the regiment served with the army of the “Sea Powers.”
In October 1701, two squadrons crossed the Elbe and marched by way of Hanover and Münster to Friesland and Brabant.
In 1702, these squadrons took part in the siege and capture of Liège.
In mid-March 1704, after settling the problem with pay arrears, these squadrons were posted in Southern Brabant. In July, they were ordered to join Marlborough's Army in Bavaria. They join the army at Nördlingen. On 13 August, they took part in the Battle of Blenheim, where they formed part of Rantzau's Brigade, which was posted in the centre of the third line. In the autumn, they took part in the sieges of Trarbach and Saarburg. They took up their winter-quarters between the Moselle and the Rhine.
At the end of May 1706, these squadrons joined Marlborough's Army and, on 23 May, took part in the Battle of Ramillies, where the Danish cavalry distinguished itself. The regiment formed part of Rantzau´s Brigade, on the left wing They were present at the ensuing sieges of Antwerp, Ostend, Menin, Ath, Dendermonde and Oudenarde.
On 11 July 1708, the regiment took part in the Battle of Oudenarde.
In 1709, these squadrons took part in the siege of Tournai. On 11 September, they fought in the Battle of Malplaquet.
In 1714, the two squadrons returned to Denmark.
Uniform
Trooper
| Headgear | black tricorne laced white with an iron skull for combat; a black cockade was worn on the left side of the hat | ||||||||||||
| Neck stock | black | ||||||||||||
| Coat | double-breasted grey-white coat with purple lining and with 22 brass buttons (11 on each side) and 1 brass button on each side in the small of the back. All buttonholes were trimmed in purple (the distinctive colour of the regiment)
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| Waistcoat | yellow with metal buttons | ||||||||||||
| Breeches | yellowish natural leather | ||||||||||||
| Leather Equipment |
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| Horse Furniture |
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Troopers wore a blackened breast plate and were armed with a sword, a pistol and a carbine.
NCOs
NCOs were distinguished from troopers by a silver lace on the hat and silver edging on the cuffs, and wore full cuirass.
Officers
Uniforms of officers differed from those of the troopers and NCOs by the finer material used. They were not standardized across the entire army but seems to have been similar within a regiment. Buttons were silver-plated and silver embroideries decorated the coat, cuffs and pocket flaps. Their coat could be single or double-breasted. The hats of officers were often edged with a white plumetis. The officers wore full cuirass.
Musicians
No information found yet
Standards
Colonel Standard: white field; the Dannebrog (a white cross pattée) on a red field in the first canton (upper left); centre device consisting of a crowned “C5” royal monogram in gold; the whole surrounded by a laurel wreath in gold; golden fringe.
Company Standard: red field; the Dannebrog (a white cross pattée) on a red field in the first canton (upper left); centre device consisting of the crowned “C5” royal monogram; the whole surrounded by a laurel wreath in gold; golden fringe.
 Colonel Standard - Copyright: Kronoskaf |
 Company Standard - Copyright: Kronoskaf |
References
Martinsson, Örian: Danish Cavalry Uniforms 1700-1730 in Tacitus.nu
Snorasson, Torstein and Søren Henriksen: Danish Uniforms 1699-1712, Chakoten 1997 and 1998.
Höglund, Lars-Eric and Sallnäs, Åke;: The Great Northern war 1700-1721 part 2
Scheunchen, Helge: Den Spanske Arvefølge Krig, Chakoten 1984
Vaupell, O.F.: Den Danske Haers Historie, Copenhagen 1876, p. 585
Wikipedia - Danish Auxiliary Corps in Anglo-Dutch service 1701–1714
N.B.: the section Service during the War is partly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
Acknowledgment
Henrik Plenge for the initial version of this article.
Wienand Drenth for additional information on this regiment.
