Draft of a paper concerning the history of dress, undated (Series 87.02) - No. 0050

[Page 50]

No 26                 Uniform

in all probability the ancient uniform of the English Soldier was white  Englishmen were bad Dyers  They sent their white cloths for many to Flanders to be dyed, The Red Cross no doubt engended in the Crusades when all who vowed to march against the infideld took the Cross as it was Calld, that is had a Red Cross sewd on their outward Garment
at the Battle of Bosworth Sir John Savage Commanded the Left wing whose
1485      Soldiers were all alike Clad in White Coats & hoods of Frize  Baker
at the Battle of St . albine the People of Britany aparrelld 1,700 of their own Soldiers in white Coats with Red Crosses after the english manner & made thereby a Shew of two Regiments of English  Speed  Heny.  p746
1512      during the seige of Tarwin in France  maximilian the Emperor enterd into the pay of Hen 8th wearing the Cross of St. George with the Rose the Kings badge as his Faithfull Soldier  Speed p 766.
1553      in wyatts rebellion we read of Capt Brett & his band of whitecoats crying we are all Englishmen
1544      King Henry 8th took order for Levying of a mighty army to Pass over into France  There were appointed three Battailles  Those of the Foreward were apparelld in Blue Coates garded with Red & hed Caps & hosen after the same Suit Part Blew & Part Red  The Battaille under the Duke of Suffolk in Coats Caps & hosen in Like manner but the Color blue & yellow  Howe
1485      This year a life guard was first instituted by Hen 7th, it consisted of 50 Horse each Soldier having 3 Great horses for his own use besides an archer & a Demilance to attend him 7 a [Custrell?] or Servant  Both they and all their Horses were [Tropd?] in cloth of Gold  Silver or Goldsmiths work  the Band was Soon after dissolvd  Daniel  1509
1380      When the Rebels of Kent under wat Tyler marchd to Blackheath they had Two Banners of St George & 3 score Persons armed before them  Howe
1264      at the Battle of Lewis the Earl of Leicester Caused all his men to wear White Crosses  danyel  p 152
1471      in Barnet Field the day being misty hindred thier Eyes if for [sight] so that the Stars Embroiderd on the E of oxfords mens Coates were mistaken for the Sun which King Edwards men wore  Speed p 695
1510      King Henry sent Troops to Flanders to aid the Duchess of Sevoy at the end of the Campain   the Duchess seeing the Englishmens Coats to worn & foul with laying on the ground gave to each a Coate of woolen cloth colord white & green, red & yellow  the white & green for the King of Englands Liverie The Red & yellow for the Duke of Burgoines Livery & these 4 colors were medled together   Howe
1512      10,000 soldiers were Sent to Spain among them 500 almiens clad in White  Stow