This is what The Royal Horse Guards wore at Waterloo

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[@sean658]

“Let’s make them as conspicuous as possible”

[@patricianunes3521]

The battlefield would have been thick with smoke, so yes they would need to see each other. Also think of the guns and cannons used at that period.

[@p_pattedd5477]

​@@patricianunes3521Yes, and in those times they have no such thing as radio, so clear identification is needed. Don't quote me on this, but I read somewhere that in a battle, the smoke was so thick that they shoot at their blokes 50 meters away because they can't see anything.

[@dagtheking5739]

These typa outfits worked when they were in imperial control over somebody.

[@smokedbeefandcheese4144]

You ever walk around on the Fourth of July near huge fireworks display. That’s kind of what the battlefield was like there would be smoke everywhere. You would want to be brightly colored so you wouldn’t get separated from your friends and you could see each other and tell each other apart from the enemy.

[@patricianunes3521]

@@smokedbeefandcheese4144 That sounds about right. That is exactly why bright colours were used. Not” shoot me “ but “please don’t shoot, we’re on the same side!”

[@mayuri4184]

The Royal Horse Guards' helmet now has a horsetail plume as opposed to the Roman-style plume.

[@lemonade435]

That helmet definitely says “Shoot me first!”

[@somethingtoputonpizza6667]

There's no reason to hide when you and the enemy can't hit anything with single shot muskets (but mainly because it's so officers and Generals could easily command them from far away since there's no radios)

[@TheMagicalFrogYT]

@@somethingtoputonpizza6667so true

[@TheWeekendWarrior99]

@@somethingtoputonpizza6667For ease of identification too. Allied officers can spot them easily make adjustments to a plan while enemy soldiers that know what their kit looks like would get worried at the thought of an impending cav charge.

[@LilianTejada]

It must have been difficult to move swiftly while wearing all that. Sorry for the poor horses carrying all the extra weight.

[@wesjanson6979]

@@LilianTejada if the human can handle the weight of what they're wearing, to the horse it's almost nothing. horses are extremely strong and humans weigh so little comparatively (plus how well balanced a military rider would need to be to stay ahorse would also make the weight evenly distributed across the horse's back) that to the horse having a human riding is like wearing a hat. the extra weight for the Royal Horse Guards would be like wearing a helmet instead of a hat.

[@TheWeekendWarrior99]

The amount of people that apply modern sensibilities regarding kit from a 18th-19th century battlefield is a wee sad. Love the video, would like to see one about the Scots Greys.

[@siccolindsay610]

They do that to everything. Stupid stupid people nowadays. Like there are supposed to be feminists in Medieval Spain or whatever.

[@josephr4761]

It makes sense. Even in the American revolution the colonists specifically targeted officers. Seems like a bad idea to stand out. I know that European warfare had different rules of engagement so these uniforms make sense in that context.

[@kkkaTheIdiot]

​@@josephr4761 well the American revolution was full of skirmishes, most napoleonic battles consisted of line battles, where'd they stand in a line and shoot eachother, and apparently there are sources of people coming on picnics to watch the spectacle, but that I'm not sure about

[@Sam-nx9ec]

​@@josephr4761 All light infantrymen did, including the multiple British light units in North America. European militaries also used light infantry through the 1760s onwards. Approx 1/3rd of all French infantrymen were Voltigeurs while British regiments had Light Companies and multiple light infantry regiments on the Army establishment.

[@ad_astra5]

@@josephr4761well with the sheer amount of smoke on the field during battle, bright uniforms make a lot of sense for regular soldiers for ID purposes

[@chaih5745]

As the saying goes. "Fashion is the end game."

[@Post_the_most]

Somehow the helmets remember Roman horsemen helmets, maybe it was intentional.

[@nss309]

Are reminiscent of*

[@Jack-me7kl]

“I have friends at Horse Guards, sir”

[@Lachausis]

Simmerson?

[@adamwilliams434]

A man who loses the King's colours, loses the King's friendships.

[@bargbikernes31]

Only the royalest horse guards get to wear the rode microphone on the uniform

[@biffteutsch3402]

Ahhh Yessss……. To Die In STYLE!! B

[@Vladtheinhaler-bt3ie]

Why can’t we bring back military uniforms like that.

[@katamattyon]

In an era where heat sensors are reducing the efficacy of camo, we may start seeing the return of some colour to military uniforms

[@jessicalittle608]

Could you imagine gorilla warfare wearing that hat and getting caught in everything you could imagine? This was before people started trying to camouflage as a means of survival 😂

[@betteroywoth2445]

​@@jessicalittle608" gorilla " ☠️☠️☠️

[@Sneakyraver]

​@@betteroywoth2445quit being a prick over spelling, you know damn well what they mean.

[@rin_etoware_2989]

​@@katamattyon until heat sensors become as commonplace and as reliable in battlefields as eyesight, camouflage will still be effective

[@TurtleShroom3]

The intent was to make them as conspicuous as possible. I assume it's because they are *that good* at their job, so focusing attention on them means other soldiers can set them up for a cavalry charge or other maneuver.

[@Sam-nx9ec]

All soldiers bar riflemen wore bright uniforms. It's so you can identify them at a distance (beyond musket range) as either friend or foe.

[@TurtleShroom3]

@@Sam-nx9ec Ah, so it was beyond range. I see.

[@Sam-nx9ec]

@@TurtleShroom3 Other thing is that, once the battlefield is full of smoke, someone might appear out of nowhere a few yards in front of you- it's helpful to know who's who. British riflemen were mistaken for French dragoons and fired at on at least one occasion. Smokeless powder meant that riflemen could consistently hit targets at hundreds of metres- the British Army switched to wearing khaki in the 1870s or so during African wars.

[@Myles6969]

That’s so rad

[@TitoSausalito]

What a fine helmet I really like their attire.

[@danielfarmer1334]

History is fascinating !

[@winterroadspokenword4681]

The pomp and ceremony haha 😂 You can tell the aristocracy were fully in charge of the army back then 😂

[@Sam-nx9ec]

Most officers were middle class. The uniforms are so you can tell from a distance if it's French cavalry charging at you or British cavalry returning.

[@esomethingoranother3718]

It would be amazing to go to Europe someday and see one of these events. Here in the U.S. we have Civil War reenactments, but it's just not the same as these.

[@tobbyhudson2743]

The sword stand to be the most iconic weapon of the cavalry. I like how it was attached to the belt and sling looks like there were no unnecessary swinging of the sword at all

[@27steve88]

I have a cousin at horse guards and I was born of impeccable name

[@ChristopherMB87]

A man who loses the King's Colours, loses the King's friendship

[@bulletkingaming2808]

I shall call my personal sling bag as a man bag for now on.

[@Skelly75779]

I wish this guy was my history teacher

[@nss309]

Why?

[@giraffeorganic]

@@nss309 Cuz he's clearly more passionate than the average history professor that just wants to fulfil their quota by doing the bare minimum.

[@nss309]

@@giraffeorganic he's passionate about a very specific niche.

[@giraffeorganic]

@@nss309 and? Must he dress up for every single fking timeline to live up to your standards as a good history teacher? Does Mike Tyson have to beat the shit out of every boxer in every single weight class to be good enough to be someone’s boxing coach?

[@nss309]

@@giraffeorganic apple's and oranges.

[@TylerDaltonShaw]

Ah yes, the Raw Horse Guard

[@Boxxcutter]

"I'm from Waterloo! Where the vampires hang out!"

[@jeffreysetapak]

The head piece looked like a broom.

[@craig-michaelkierce1366]

Outstanding...

[@jasonbutler7054]

nice impression although rather portly for a cavalry trooper, he must be the Quartermaster Sergeant of Horse :)

[@SeanMahoneyfitnessandart]

That light blue canteen just clashes terribly with the rest of the uniform

[@AngelusNielson]

I lovehow he refuses to say "Purse"

[@charleskim6711]

What lucky 🐴’s. To have their own royal guards . (Sarcasm chill)

[@willgoogletakethisname3963]

They definitely look like they drop extra loot and xp when killed

[@ChristopherMB87]

I have a cousin at Horse Guards, sir. And I have friends at Court.

[@george8812]

A man who loses the King's colours, loses the King's friendship

[@raspherion]

I have written to Horseguard, sir, to report the uniform makers has aquitted itself admirably in discharging your orders to make the royal house guard as easy to snip as possible, sir. -Sir Henry Simmerson

[@PEPSIMAN19]

Cool

[@malta7406]

Wooden canteens? That's honestly the most shocking bit to me

[@Brian-bp5pe]

This was back when battles were arranged in advance, by appointment only.

[@Bountyhopper]

No, there was no arrangements, both sides new a battle was coming but there was no communication between them

[@Sam-nx9ec]

This is a myth. Armies were screened by intelligence officers and light cavalry who made contact with the enemy by skirmishing. Strategic manoeuvre was what won Waterloo.

[@dylancoombes]

The modern horse guards look very different

[@jme2261]

How would you be able to fight with all that on 😂😂

[@Sam-nx9ec]

Violently.

[@jme2261]

@@Sam-nx9ec looks ridiculous 🤣

[@heatherweir8726]

The paint contained lead I assume.

[@kongbanana8947]

Who knows. Napoleon seemed very detail oriented so I don't know if he would allow or would be cheap enough to use lead in his uniforms. The Persians and some other people in antiquity recognized the potential harm of asbestos. Really depends on the budget of the military and how much the government cares for the well-being of the soldier.

[@ugandanknuckkles9667]

The paint with lead was a green, not blue.

[@user-qw6es4ly3g]

​@@ugandanknuckkles9667 wasn't green made with arsenic?

[@BountyFlamor]

Why does this guy sound exactly like Official Mr Landshark?

[@carolinemurphy8872]

Very dapper

[@MithrilMagic]

I mean it looks impressive but it also looks….impractical 😂

[@dylancoombes]

Its still used today

[@farkasmactavish]

​@@dylancoombesYeah, ceremonially.

[@MithrilMagic]

@@farkasmactavish Exactly 🤣

[@TheWeekendWarrior99]

Practical at the time. Smoke from gunpowder practically blinds you with how thick it can get so bright uniforms were needed to prevent friendly fire and for officers to keep track of where their men went.

[@Mr_Fluffy_Paws]

I think frock collet has to be the most British term I've ever heard

[@cjmurphy7967]

Why is his sword backwards? It looks straight impossible to draw like that.

[@astorniit7524]

It's hung up like that on foot. The sword is hung on pretty long leather straps from the sword belt so it is at the correct place when sitting on a horse, but when standing on foot it would drag on the ground, so in order to not have to hold the scabbard all the time on foot, you turn it around (to twist the long straps around the scabbard) and then fasten the scabbard closer to the hip/swordbelt, so it is tucked and out of the way when you walk. It is less practical if you need to draw the sword quickly, but it was just a way for a horseman to gather up his long sword/straps closer to the hip and further off the ground, so he could walk.

[@yvonnetomenga5726]

​@@astorniit7524• Thank you for the detailed information. So very nice of you to share your knowledge. 👍

[@clioflano421]

​@@astorniit7524fantastic & fascinating at once, Thanks 4d insight!

[@apostledavidetaylorcultwatch]

Is this something you own or is it borrowed for this video, to show the world something cool?

[@kongbanana8947]

The people in this series of videos are historical reenactors so I believe they own the uniform.

[@user-vo1gs8lp9f]

Pwesident part 5 pls

[@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311]

Looks very similar to what they wear today😂😂 good ol British Army!🎉❤

[@TheJohnRowley]

What a ridiculous outfit to go out and get killed in/kill people in

[@Nagvanshieus]

Household cavalry? They cook food for you and do your dishes?

[@yurilemay884]

Simmerson had a brother at horseguard, sir.

[@Tex_actual]

I love how people are saying like make it conspicuous possible or shoot me first. I don’t think you have an understanding of how fucked firearms were back in the day. The reason why there was line warfare was so that way they had a better chance of hitting a target, which was another fucking line of human beings. That shit would go left right up down. It was like a fucking knuckleball shot of a fucking barrel.

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

What is the low slung black leather book or pouch? On his left side below sword/sabre.

[@Sam-nx9ec]

Sabretache. Their trousers didn't have pockets, so you could use it to carry orders (Hussars were often used as messengers, scouts and skirmishers), store a few essentials or write on. Some British light dragoon regiments started wearing them and it caught on with the others.

[@coloradolivin1626]

I bet the originals didnt come in that size

[@normanzimmerman5029]

Remember hernando, it is not how you feel…

[@Quandale_Dingle_69]

Goofy ahh helmet 😭😭😭

[@Practically_John_Wick]

I don’t think it makes you look taller 😂

[@Vib_me_is]

From hundreds of feet away across the battlefield it does! The battle starts as soon as the opposing forces see each other and this was a viable intimidation tactic :D

[@almgandi16]

Does the saber point to the wrong direction? How to pull a saber when the handle poits to your back? 😅

[@BadgerNipplesChannel]

"Raw horse guards"

[@RustFox]

All I could hear too lmao

[@saoirse_mavourneen]

​@RustFox It's all I can hear now, thanks a lot guys 😅

[@Tuggbugg]

Hey absolute history what’s your favorite food?

[@Free_kromer]

This looks to be a bavarian uniform

[@bh13579009753113579]

If people wore this to combat today they would be dead 💀

[@user-qw6es4ly3g]

If people wore modern camouflage to combat back then they would be even more dead

[@myriamickx7969]

How much does that helmet weigh?

[@Vacartu]

I’m curious, what’s the pouch that’s having very low?

[@Sam-nx9ec]

Sabretache.

[@collinpribula3270]

B-E-A UTIFUL 💓💗👏🏻👏🏻🥰💕💞💛❤️😍💖

[@clioflano421]

Cartridge box,I wonder had anyone got an MX 64 back then??

[@Bountyhopper]

No, a cartridge back then was a tube of paper with a measured amount of gun powder and a ball in it, so you just open the paper and load the powder and ball

[@clioflano421]

@@Bountyhopper That's interesting.Im only having a giggle with the MS 64!!My kids giggle when I tell them our 1st computer was a keyboard plugged into the back of the TV

[@jarylyip]

As we can clearly see, historically accurate, they also wore wireless microphones to improve communications across troops. The British were really ahead of their adversaries in terms of technological advancements. Absolutely stunning.

[@Dirtball2112]

Yeah thanks but we're gonna stick with camouflage for now!

[@Sam-nx9ec]

British riflemen were at least once mistaken for French dragoons and shot at by friendly forces because they wore camouflaged green.

[@Algimantaz]

Thought he said ‘raw horse guards’ 😂

[@WifeWantsAWizard]

You had me at "raw haws gods".

[@thebbbros8621]

Can you share the weird crime punishments from ancient Holland 🇳🇱 ?

[@neoroggensack1244]

"Too elaborate" The video should've started and ended right there

[@saoirse_mavourneen]

Lol "kinda like a man bag". I think bread bag worked just fine 😅

[@AGS363]

That goes not really look very comfortable.

[@My-cat-is-staring-at-you]

Comfort really wasn't the goal, though.

[@Bountyhopper]

It was

[@schweincraft4525]

I swear, until the very end, I thought he said "Raw Horse Guards"

[@TheInstinctWithinV2]

I know he said royal, but I keep hearing "Raw horse guards"

[@gretakedzierska5071]

Brits nearly lose vs Napoleon. Germany troops saved Brits arses...

[@bensnide5846]

all those little leather straps holding everything together gives me anxiety. How can you be in war time and the first time you run around everything just starts littering the ground all around you? Lazy..... from design to execution, noone said wait a minute...

[@TheWeekendWarrior99]

Your kit bag is usually left in the camp when the battle begins and the weapons themselves are either attached to the saddle or securely on your person. When a skirmish does occur during a march, losing your toiletries is a secondary concern to surviving.

[@-Miguelzim-]

They didn't run 98% of the time, and this guy is a dragoon, so they only ran when retreating after their horses died

[@Sam-nx9ec]

In all seriousness, when was the last time your belt broke? Leather was used for webbing into the 20th century, it's tough stuff.

[@FireStar-gz2ry]

"Lets be obvious..... But not too obvious....." Somehow, i think they wernt missed too often by enemy sharp shooters 😂😂

[@farkasmactavish]

Which weren't common at the time. Rifles did exist, but they were even slower to load than a standard musket, since everything had to be so much tighter and everything was still muzzle-loading. So they weren't distributed in any kind of numbers.

[@Justin-rq6kf]

Sharp shooters really weren't a thing back then, muskets were so inaccurate that past 200 meters there was a very low chance of being hit.

[@FireStar-gz2ry]

@@Justin-rq6kf They did exist, however they were an expensive group to train. That, and rifles were also more expensive than muskets. The first rifles made were used by mountain men and frontiers men before they were used by the military

[@Justin-rq6kf]

@@FireStar-gz2ry I did use my words poorly, they were around but we're so rare(especially in Europe) that it wouldn't be a major military concern.

[@Sam-nx9ec]

Cavalry could usually ride faster than a Tiralleur could reload.

[@samanthatollstam6302]

Yeah... they english really stood out in their red coats didn't they? Seems no better in any war. I'm beginning to think it was designed by the enemy to be able to locate them more easily.

[@saoirse_mavourneen]

Well they did pretty well didn'tthey? So maybe they knew what they were doing in that time period 🤷‍♀️

[@TheMagicalFrogYT]

In that era no one cares about camouflage.

[@TheWeekendWarrior99]

Those red coats helped them become a European Superpower and create the largest empire in history

[@Bountyhopper]

Camouflage has now purpose in this style of fighting, you need your men In bright and and easy to recognize uniforms so you know who is who in the thick black fog of Burnt black powder

[@BenjaminBallin]

At the time, smoke from tons of musket fire would be almost blinding. Leading to more distinguishable uniforms to prevent friendly-fire, as well as a bit of style because that's always nice

[@ace_7901]

First

[@solomonankrah1963]

22 comment

[@johngaribay4954]

If I were to see u wearing that helmet back then I wouldn’t be thinking “o.m.f’ing.g! who is that tall guy!?” Id just be thinkin like, “ why is that short tiny dude wearing such a big helmet?”😂😂😂

[@Sam-nx9ec]

You'd probably be thinking 'AAAAAAAAHH!' while he repeatedly strikes you with his sword.

[@johngaribay4954]

Call it whatever u want to try n justify it but it’s a purse. Ur wearing a purse.😂😂