Peacock Splendor—A Gallery of Regency Military Men

Andrea here. Summer may be just starting here in the northern hemisphere, but the book calendar means that I’m already in “Autumn mode” for the upcoming release of my new Wrexford & Sloane mystery. MURDER AT THE SERPENTINE BRIDGE will hit the shelves on September 27 . . . By the by, my publishers is doing a Goodreads giveaway of 100 free ARC copies. Just click here by July 1 to enter for a chance to win! 


On my end, I, too, am starting to think about promo stuff. An introvert at heart, I would rather be writing the stories. But this book is particularly fun to talk about. There are times when an author get extraordinarily lucky and history provides a setting for a mystery more perfect than any author would dare to make up!

The actual Peace Celebrations which were held in London during June of 1814 play a leading role in the book’s plot. I’ll be talking more about the specific events in later blogs. Today, however, I’m musing about the pomp and splendor of the famous guests—especially the victorious military brass—who came from all over the Continent to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon (this is, the first defeat!) and his exile to the isle of Elba.

War is ugly and brutal, leaving a trail of death, desolation and destruction in its wake. So it’s a terrible irony that the painted portraits of themiitary involved in the interminable Napoleonic Wars have a certain heroic splendor (not to speak of a penchant for over-the-top bling!)


What is it about about uniform festooned with a king’s ransom of gold braid and gaudy baubles that draws a fluttery sigh from the ladies? I confess, during the course of my research, I found myself pausing to admire the, er, eye candy.

So, putting aside moral scruples to honor the superb artistry of the Regency painters, I thought I would share some of my favorite examples of Men in Uniform. (The Allied officers play some small cameo roles in my story! Enjoy the view!

From top to bottom: unidentified; Charles Stewart; Arthur Wellesley; Horatio Nelson; Sir Sidney Smith; Joachim Murat; Auguste de Marmot; Napoleon; Louis-Nicolas d'Avout; Tsar Alexander I; Jean-de-Dieu Soult; Sir John Moore.

So what about you? Does a man in uniform draw a fluttery sigh?

Comments

[Mary T]

I was in the army when I was young - many. many years ago, so I have an appreciation for medals and what it takes to earn them. Having said that, however, some of THESE uniforms just seem so over the top, that I find them comical. Maybe it's my age (smile). But I do appreciate the portraits.

Looking forward to hearing more about this book.

[Andrea Penrose]

Yes, some of them really are too much. Admiral Nelson paid for his vanity—it's said he received his mortal wound at the Battle of Trafalgar because all those gaudy medals caught the eye of a French sharpshooter, who took dead aim at him.

I like the simple uniform f Sir John Moore, who is featured in my upcoming historical novel on Lady Hester Stanhope.By all accounts, he was a very admirable and modest man.

[Kareni]

What handsome...portraits, Andrea; thank you for sharing them. Best wishes on the forthcoming release of the new Wrexford and Sloane mystery!

[Stephen Barker]

Of course the portraits may show the sitter in full-dress as opposed to what they would wear on the battlefield. At the battle of Waterloo Wellington wore a plain blue coat and General Picton who died in the same battle was in a black frock coat, top hat and carrying an umbrella.

On the whole The uniforms of the British Army of that period are relatively plain especially compared to the French. New uniforms were issued in 1815 at the time of the occupation of Paris so that the British Army did not compare unfavourably with its continental allies. In Paris the Highlanders attracted a lot of attention from the ladies. My favourite uniform of the period is the dark green and black of the Rifle Corp.

[Pat Dupuy]

There is certainly something about a man in uniform, even if it is just camos. Somehow the uniform implies discipline, strength, and ability. Looking at Wellesley's portrait I can understand how he was such a babe magnet!

[Andrea Penrose]

Glad you enjoyed them, Kareni. And thanks so much for the good wishes. Much apprecited.

[Andrea Penrose]

Very true, Stephen. These were the full dress uniforms usually worn for formal events/receptions. (Though Nelson was known to wear his bling into battle—a bad decision at Trafalgar!)

Wellington was very understated in the field. I've seen one of his drab slate grey overcoats on display at the Guards Museum in London.Definitely not flashy.

I agree with you—the dark green and black of the Rifle Corps uniforms is very very handsome.

[Andrea Penrose]

Yes, that Wellington portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence is mesmerizing. (IMO, Lawrence always makes his subjects look good!) IT radiates an aura of command.

[Mike]

Plus Wellington didn't really care about the troops dress and pretty much disregarded such details. As Grattan of the 88th said: “Provided we brought our men into the field well appointed with their sixty rounds of ammunition each, he never looked to see whether trousers were black, blue, or grey: and as to ourselves, we might be rigged out in any colour of the rainbow if we fancied it.”

As for the portraits my preference is for the simplicity of Sir John Moore. Wellington clearly dressed up a bit for his sitting but is still not over the top. Nelson of course is just being Nelson and one expects nothing else.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Andrea, I'm blinking against the dazzle! Seeing so much bling together is startling. *G* I'm another who particularly liked the portrait of Sir John Moore. He seems to have been admirable and sane and was much beloved by his troops.

I've also seen that coat that Wellington wore in the Guards Museum--which I visited at your recommendation. It's pretty awesome to think he actually wore that.

[Janice]

If Paul McCartney ever got the sulks, he'd look very like Soult :)

I always find military portraits impressive. So many associations. Several times I'be bought a book because it had a gorgeous painting of a man in uniform on the cover.

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

Yes, I'm one of those whose heart flutters at a man in uniform. Crisp US Naval dress whites are nice. But I also like special forces uniforms, especially with all their cunning pockets. I particular enjoyed being at an historic baseball game where President Clinton was present. He was actually in the broadcast booth and called a home run. But even more exciting than play on the field were the guys on all the rooftops, decked out in many-pocketed black SWAT uniforms. Very hot.

[Robin R]

I only recently discovered that Nelson and Wellington apparently only met once, coincidentally in a waiting room whilst each waiting to meet with Lord Castlereagh, the Secretary of State for War. I suppose it is not too surprising that an admiral and a general would have little opportunity to interact, but across the span of years such great figures seem too closely related to not have had a relationship.
Nelson's Trafalgar coat at the Greenwich museum was quite striking; found it just as the guards were about to chase us out at closing.

[Karin]

Oh my goodness, I thought that was just a dress uniform for ceremonial occasions, Nelson actually wore all those medals during battle?

[Karin]

I enjoy looking at the finery, but I don't think clothes make the man. Thanks for the link to the giveaway, I am really looking forward to the book!

[Andrea Penrose]

Quite a spectacle, isn't it! In looking at all the various offciers, it really struck me that uniforms were the one excuse men of the era had to go a little wild with bling—and be admired for it! LOL.

I added Sir John Moore because he was so understated. It fit his personality as such a modest yet great general. Such an admirable man. I'm looking forward to writing about him.

[Andrea Penrose]

LOL! What a great a observation, Janice!

The Regency uniforms are pretty impressive and always look great on a book cover.

[Andrea Penrose]

Wow, you go for the real action heroes, Binnie!

The Special Forces uniforms really do have an impressive number of pockets! Their designers should focus on doing casual women's wear, too—I mean, what woman would LOVE having so many handy places place to keep her stuff organized!

[Andrea Penrose]

Yes, it's interesting that Wellington and Nelson met at all—they really didn't much opportunity to cross paths. I(I read that Wellington didn't know who Nelson was at the time and asked who that like man who never stopped talking about himself!)

I also saw Nelson's coat at Greenwich—complete with the bullet hole! What struck me was how small he was. I'm not big, but I don't I could have fit into it.

[Andrea Penrose]

I agree, Karin. Finery can't hide a man's true character.

And thank you for the nice words about my upcoming book.

[nmayer2015]

My favorite portrait of my father is of him in his uniform. I married a man in the army but American uniforms aren't as dazzling. The dress blues were worn seldom. I am rather partial to a man in uniform on book covers of Regency Romances. One of my favorite officers without even seeing him is Mary Jo's Will in Once a Solider and other books. I have a set back of a cover of a soldier along with pictures of my husband and Lord Byron that I can imagine is Lord Masterdon or other intriguing officers. I much prefer a man in uniform to a man with an anachronistic shirt half off his chest on a book cover.

[Annette N]

I wonder if they all sat around the campfire and compared their geegaws? (that is a country term from East Texas) Thanks for the post and the portraits. You know I realize it is disrespectful, but I believe they all took themselves much too seriously.
I have been dazzled by uniforms and the men within them. But, not a one of them were this fancy.

Thanks again for the post and pictures.
Hope y'all are all doing well.

[Andrea Penrose]

American uniforms have never been very dazzling, Nancy. They do tend to be utilitarian.

Mary Jo's hero in Once A Soldier was definitely cover-worthy! (I imagine him in the same very understated uniform of Sir John Moore.) I totally agree that regimentals are much more appealing on a Regency cover than an anachronistic shirt.

[Andrea Penrose]

Annette, I agree that some of these dress uniforms are very self-important and make them appear very vain and pompous. On an artistic level, though, the geegaws are fun to look at.(We have that word in New England, too!)

Glad you enjoyed the post.

[Jeanne Behnke]

Thanks for the link on the giveaway Andrea. Definitely used that! I love all the pictures and I do find a man in uniform so attractive. Hmmm... guess I'll just look through these again.

[Mike]

I think it was actually the other way round: Wellington could not fail to recognise the national hero (it was 1805, plus those missing body parts) but Nelson had no idea who this general was.

The story he told to Croker many years later runs thusly: “He could not know who I was, but he entered at once into conversation with me, if I can call it conversation, for it was almost all on his side, and all about himself, and in really a style so vain and so silly as to surprise and almost disgust me. I suppose something that I happened to say may have made him guess that I was somebody, and he went out of the room for a moment, I have no doubt to ask the office-keeper who I was, for when he came back he was altogether a different man, both in manner and matter. All that I had thought a charlatan style had vanished, and he talked of the state of this country and of the aspect and probabilities of affairs on the Continent with a good sense, and a knowledge of subjects both at home and abroad that surprised me equally and more agreeably than the first part of our interview had done; in fact, he talked like an officer and a statesman.”

Given that Wellington had only just retuned after years in India and that Nelson would be dead within a month, your comment on their limited opportunity to cross paths is very much true.

[Andrea Penrose]

Mike, thank you for the correction!

[Andrea Penrose]

Glad you enjoyed the military men, Jeanne. By all means, help yourself to a second look!

Good luck in the giveaway!

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