Major General Sir John Brown of Fordell's Regiment of Horse

Apologies for a not-Monday posting! So here without further ado is Major General Sir John Brown of Fordell's Regiment of Horse

Sir John Brown learnt his soldiering on the continent, and was commissioned as one of the first three cavalry troop commanders of the Solemn League and Covenant (he would later receive a commission to be lieutenant colonel of Leslie's Horse).

In May 1645, Brown was commissioned colonel of his own Regiment, which was to be made up of four troops. This was quickly amended by the Committee with the Army who raised the Regiment's strength to eight troops. 

The newly formed Regiment would be quartered in Cumbernauld. In October 1645 the Royalist Northern Horse were retreating from Yorkshire, and attempting to head north to join up with Montrose's Army. Brown's Horse met the Northern Horse at Annan Moor.

Brown's men routed the Royalist reserve line (commanded by Langdale) which in turn led the front line (commanded by Digby) to flee. Brown's men killed 60  officers and 100 men; capturing 200 men; and taking the Royalist colours. The Northern Horse fled to the Lake District, losing more men along the route. The King would not try again to reinforce Montrose's Army.

The Regiment would march south to Newark before the year was out; where they would join the siege, remaining until the town fell in May 1646.

Once Newark had surrendered they'd would return north to Cumberland. They were refused quarters by the Yorkshire County Committee, the Regiment would be disbanded in February 1647.

Brown would take command of a Troop in the Scots New Model Army. As he opposed the Engagers, command of the Troop was passed to the Earl of Callendar. Under Callendar the Troop took part in a skirmish at Mauchline Muir, before they were disbanded after the Treaty of Stirling.

In February 1649 Brown would be commissioned as colonel of the Perthshire Horse. During 1650 a number of scandals rocked the Regiment: Brown was not impressed with the presence of a number of former Engagers, including a cornet, in the Regiment (Brown was one of those who presented the West Kirk Declaration* to the Committee of Estates); and a trooper fathered a child out of wedlock, he was tried for bastardy and he would eventually confess to the crime.

By September the Perthshire Horse would be serving with Leslie: Brown would argue with Leslie  about fighting at Dunbar, but none the less they would take the field. Leslie's Army was defeated and Brown's men were able to flee the battlefield, making their way to Stirling. The English would incorrectly claim, in propaganda, that Brown had been captured.

Middleton's rising in the North meant that the Regiment would be ordered to quell this rising. Brown attempted parlay, requesting Middleton's surrender. Middleton attacked first with half his force, defeating Brown.

Yet more scandal hit the Presbytery Courts - another of Brown's men had fathered a child out of wedlock. As the Courts investigated, they learned that the man had been killed at Dunbar

In May 1651 Brown made commander of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, which consisted of three regiments. At Inverkeithing, Brown was commander of the Scottish Horse. Brown would be wounded, and be captured. He would die in captivity in Leith, not long after.

What remained of the Regiment would regroup under command of Sir Arthur Forbes, and set off north from Angus at the end of August, from where they dispersed.

I've chosen to represent them as lancers, even though there is evidence of them being issued pistols, and "back, breast and head pieces" after Annan Moor. I've given them buff coats, and a few troopers are wearing 'trained band buff' over hodden grey coats. As there is no PP Scots horse command pack I have converted some command figures from my spares box and made them Scottish by giving them a blew bonnet and painting them grey.

Cornet as always, from Maverick Models. One of a ridiculous number of flags that Stuart has produced for me. Many of the Scots flags aren't listed on his website, but if you ask him nicely I'm sure he'll dig them out for you.

Regular readers (hello both of you) will be aware that all my 'units' have their own unique casualty marker from Warbases. The Army of the Solemn League and Covenant have markers emblazoned with "Couenant for Religion King and Kingdomes". Covenanter horse units have a dead horsey man from the PP casualty pack with a headswap. This is a ridiculous dangerous and stupid thing to do. So don't do it kids. Just say no.

*West Kirk Declaration basically condemned Charles (later Charles II) for threatening peace and the Godly order of the world by continuing the struggle against the government. In other words, they wanted the Engagers out of the army.

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