Some of the pikemen in the LoA range appear to be wearing a sash. Can anyone tell me what this is supposed to represent? :-/
Thanks.
Chad
I'm no expert but I think Sgt's wore sashes to identify them, but after having a quick look online I think this is conjecture and I dont think anyone is really sure...Would the Sgt's be holding a halbard nstead of a pike?
Maybe its to identify the unit for troops but again that is guesswork on my part
Sashes were commonly worn by pikemen in the earlier part of the period, it is not necessarily indicative of rank.
Clib
Thanks. Do you know if they were of a particular colour by nationality?
Chad
Hard to say. French army probably used white in most cases. In the British army of James II it appears the First Guards wore white edged blue, the Second white fringed red. Other regiments I am not sure, possibly the facing colour in some cases. NCOs and officers probably crimson/scarlet, or in some cases orange when William III takes over, though pikemen's sashes seem to be going out of fashion as the 1690s progress.