The little settlement at Oldbridge sat by a crucial crossing of the river Boyne. At the Battle of the Boyne, it was held by the Earl of Clanrickard’s regiment. Supporting them were two battalions of King James’s Irish Foot Guards.
Clanrickard’s lads were well trained and equipped with matchlocks and pikes. They were not particularly experienced troops. They were well motivated. That was just as well because they were faced by one of the foremost infantry regiments in Europe-the Dutch Blue Guards. They resisted gallantly but outshot, outclassed and outnumbered they gave way. I’ll be making them a “Drilled” battalion in my games.
I should say what I mean by out shot. For every one shot by Clanrickard's the Dutch Guards managed three. This was down to two factors. All of the Dutch were musketeers compared to two thirds of Clanrickard's fellows, the remainder being pike men. Also, the Dutch had the faster loading flintlock muskets and the Irish the less efficient matchlock musket.
The struggle was then taken up by the Irish Guards. The Guards had a fine sense of themselves but had no battle field experience comparable to their Dutch opponents. They started off nicely enough with a brisk attack. Major Arthur, thrust his spontoon and skewered his Dutch opposite number. He was then shot down. After half an hour or so of trading close range volleys, the Irish Guards too were forced back.
Here is the first battalion of the Irish Guards. They are equipped with flintlocks and pikes. They will be “Drilled Elite” in the parlance of Beneath the Lily banners.
The second battalion here, also “Drilled Elite” but equipped with the slower loading matchlock musket and pike. The Jacobites never had enough of the best equipment.
Together, the three battalions make a nice brigade.
