Sir Horatio Cary’s Regiment of Horse
Royalist regiment of horse raised by Sir Horatio after changing sides from Parliament
Service History
1643
- December: Skirmish at Westbourne?
1644
- March: Battle of Cheriton?
1645
- May: Storm of Leicester
- June: Battle of Naseby
- July: Ordered to Bristol
- August to September: Besieged at Bristol
- October: Battle of Sherburn in Elmet??
1646
- May to June: Besieged at Oxford
Notes
The regimental history is confused by Symonds's mistaken suggestion that the regiment was taken over by the Earl of Cleveland who was colonel of Lord John Stuart’s Regiment of Horse. It is believed that Cleveland took command of Cary's brigade not his regiment.3)
Flags
Cary's cornets were noted by Symonds in April 1644.
Cary's own troop's cornet was red with a creature in a barrel and the motto 'come out you cuckold' (Illustration 1); Richard Symonds offers further detail about the creature in his Notebook4) description “a fox pulling the roundhead by the ears”. The major's cornet simply bore the motto 'cuckolds we come' (Illustration 2).
The cuckold taunt of the colonel's cornet is often believed to be a reference to the failed marriages of the Earl of Essex; but, when taken with the wording on the major's cornet, it is more likely they are a general insult aimed at all roundheads.
Notable Officers
Sir Horatio Cary
Previously led Sir Horatio Cary’s Regiment of Foot in Waller’s Parliamentarian army of the Western Association.
Strength
- May 1645: At least 200 at Leicester5)