[Perry L. Goss]

In the woodcut for MacKay's Regiment whom served under King Adolphus of Sweden in 1630; matchlocks, bows, belted plaids and other items are shown on the four "Irrlanders".

One thing that has always gotten my curiosity on the general levy troops is what are the blades shown? Although each of the figures is different...each appears to have the same blade. The are not skeans, they are not dirks, they are not broadswords in the traditional sense.

Messers perhaps? Simple grips, no complex hilts, blades appear to be about...18" or so?

Anyone have any thoughts or knowledge on this. Too hot to do much today in the Midwest!

Thank you!

[Gottfried P. Doerler]

You probably mean the following print.
the text at least

(Original early new-high-german: Es ist ein starckes dauerhafftigs volck behilft sich mit geringer speiß hatt es nicht brodt so essen sie wurtzeln. wans auch die notturfft erfordert können sie des tages über die 20 teutscher meil weges lauffen haben neben musqueden ihre bogen und köcher und lange messer

english: It is a strong durable people, they do not eat much ["aids itself with little food"], do they not have bread so they eat roots, if it is necessary they can run more than 20 german miles in one day, besides their muskets ["musqueden"] they have bows and quivers and long knives)

says, these are knives. probably long utility knives.

[Perry L. Goss]

Gottfried:

That is the print. The book I have only lists the top part of the print.

A version of our modern machette?

From your translation and the print, sure looks like it!?

Officer's equipment would "of course", been higher quality.

Thank you

[Daniel Staberg]

The wood cut does not in anyway represent Mackay's regiment, Mackay's regiment were veterans who hade served with the Danes before transfering to Swedish service and were repeatedly clothed and equipped by both Danes and Swedes in the standard military fashion of the day. Mackay's men would have been indistinguisable from their Swedish and German comrades as far as their apperance is concerned.

The Köler print infact supposedly shows troops landed at Stettin in 1631 when Mackay's regiment was nowhere in the vicinity. The best identification of the troops in the print is Alexander Hamiltons Scots-Irish regiment which was part of the Marquis of Hamiltons 'English' army which landed in Germany in this area at the time. Unlike Mackay's men who were enlisted regulars in the Swedish army these troops were neither properly clothed nor armed which can be seen from the preserved correspondence between Gustavus, Oxenstierna and represenatives of Hamilton.

[Perry L. Goss]

Daniel thank you for setting the record straight. The book that I observed that plate in specifically linked the print and MacKay's troops. Alas.

If I may ask, would you have any specific references that I could research on MacKay's regiment?

And it would be great, but doubt I can manage it to view the correspondence of A. Hamilton's reps! Too bad I can not travel to Europe!


Again, thank you

[Thomas Reitmeier]

I have seen this print often in some books. The caption and the text belonging to this print (in some books) it reads as follows: Galloglass or Gallowglass.
But in "The Oxford illustrated history of Tudor & Stuart Britain" the caption called: Highlander from Hamiltons Regiment in the 30th Years War.
And the swords/knives looks like Falchions or a "Dussack" (sometimes "Dusägge").

[Barry C. Hutchins]

[Daniel Staberg]

[Perry L. Goss]

Daniel:

Thank you for the links!