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.
Colonel Horatio Cary's regiment of Horse
Colonel Horatio Cary Lieutenant Colonel Fleetwood (1) Lieutenant Colonel William Rumball Ment. I.O. Sargeant Major Debee Ment. I.O. Sargeant Major Richard Goldsmith (1) Captain Lieutenant Joseph Horner I.O. Gloucester Captain Barber (1) Captain Bennett (1) Captain Jacob Chauke I.O. L + W Captain Clarke (1) Captain John Debee Ment. I.O. Captain Agmundisham Pickhay Ment. I.O. Captain Whelland Ment. I.O. Captain Humphrey Yeo I.O. Cornwall Captain Edward Zouch Ment. I.O.
Lieutenant Henry Brooke I.O. L + W to Lt. Col Rumball Lieutenant Henry Clarke I.O. L + W to Sgt. Maj. Debee
Cornet Nathaniel Berad I.O. L + W to Capt. Whelland Cornet John Champnes I.O. Somerset to Capt. Debee Cornet James Julian I.O. L + W to Capt. Pickhay Cornet Christopher Overfield I.O. L + W to Capt. Chauke Cornet Thomas Woollscot I.O. L + W to Lt.Col. Rumball
Quartermaster Richard Nicholson I.O. L + W to Capt. Zouch
The Regiment was being raised in August 1643 in Somerset (2)
(1) Harl. Mss. 986.f.86
Harl. Mss. 6852 f.284 Prince Rupert to ? 12.7.1645 Colonel Horatio Carys Regiment that was dismounted at Leicester to be re-mounted.
(2) Gloucester Record Office D.115.12 To our trusty and wellbeloved Edmond Wyndham Esqr. high sheriffe of our County of Somersett Trusty etc., whereas the Clergy of that ye County of Somersett have out of theire affection to us raysd and armed divers men and horse for our service which as yett are not disposed or put under any command our will and pleasure therefore is and wee doe hereby authorise you forthwith to cause the said men and horses to bee assembled in some convenient place there to be viewed listed and mustered and then put under the Command of our trusty and wellbeloved Colonell Horatio Cary who is now raysinge a Regiment of horse for ye service, our pleasure wee require you diligently to execute and for your so doing this shallbe your sufficient warrant. Given at our Court at Matsdowne neere Gloucester this 15th of August 1643
Check terms of Leicester surrender. I'm sure these and the Queens Horse had their horses taken away.
Strength
- May 1645: At least 200 at Leicester5)
