Muhler
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2010
- Messages
- 16,789
- City
- Eastern Jutland
- Country
- Denmark
Perhaps we should have a look at a little detail, that also took place last night.
The guards standing to arms - not to be confused with the guards turning out in arms, which is a pretty serious thing!
Video: Livgarden træder til gevær nytårsaften 2012 - Kongehuset
This clip is from New Years Eve, where the guards always stand to arms while QMII deliver her New Year speech. The difference is only that yesterday they wore red gala.
The guards not on sentry duty march out from their rooms with the front left private leading the way and pace. Behind them go the fifer and the signalman, the drummer. (The Royal Lifeguard was originally a heavy infantry regiment of the line, hence the use of drummers as signalmen rather than hornblowers, which was used in light regiments).
The fifer, played a merry tune, which was considered desirable on marches and good for the morale. He would also pick up the drum and step in as signalman should the drummer get shot or in some cases act as a runner. Beforehand (up until 1920's or so) they were boys.
Once outside they take up position next the the rifle-rests, the metal-thingies.
Beforehand the muskets stood in these rests, so that the guardsmen could hurry out and grab their weapons if need be. Simply because it's akward (and pretty dangerous as well) to run around inside a corridor and out through a door with a musket almost the length of a man, and with a permanently fixed bayonet to make it even longer!
The rests are a French invention.
Once the guards are in position the colour-sergeant come out and take up position in front of the detail.
After having (in theory) picked up their muskets, the sergeant orders the detail forward, muskets in hand and turn around himself.
Then the officers of the watch come out, salutes the colour and take command of the detail. Draw his sabre, the officer's equivalent to the privates picking up their muskets and orders the men to stand a ease, before turning around waiting for the royals to come. (Or as in this clip for the Majesty to begin her speech).
When the royals drive out of their mansions, the detail present arms and the drummer and fifer play the Colour March as a salute.
When Her Majesty is coming, the colour is lowered in salute.
The white stripes on their trousers does not designate the wearer to be an NCO as it was in USA, but it's a branch color. In this case white for infantry.
I love this sort of nerdy details.
The guards standing to arms - not to be confused with the guards turning out in arms, which is a pretty serious thing!
Video: Livgarden træder til gevær nytårsaften 2012 - Kongehuset
This clip is from New Years Eve, where the guards always stand to arms while QMII deliver her New Year speech. The difference is only that yesterday they wore red gala.
The guards not on sentry duty march out from their rooms with the front left private leading the way and pace. Behind them go the fifer and the signalman, the drummer. (The Royal Lifeguard was originally a heavy infantry regiment of the line, hence the use of drummers as signalmen rather than hornblowers, which was used in light regiments).
The fifer, played a merry tune, which was considered desirable on marches and good for the morale. He would also pick up the drum and step in as signalman should the drummer get shot or in some cases act as a runner. Beforehand (up until 1920's or so) they were boys.
Once outside they take up position next the the rifle-rests, the metal-thingies.
Beforehand the muskets stood in these rests, so that the guardsmen could hurry out and grab their weapons if need be. Simply because it's akward (and pretty dangerous as well) to run around inside a corridor and out through a door with a musket almost the length of a man, and with a permanently fixed bayonet to make it even longer!
The rests are a French invention.
Once the guards are in position the colour-sergeant come out and take up position in front of the detail.
After having (in theory) picked up their muskets, the sergeant orders the detail forward, muskets in hand and turn around himself.
Then the officers of the watch come out, salutes the colour and take command of the detail. Draw his sabre, the officer's equivalent to the privates picking up their muskets and orders the men to stand a ease, before turning around waiting for the royals to come. (Or as in this clip for the Majesty to begin her speech).
When the royals drive out of their mansions, the detail present arms and the drummer and fifer play the Colour March as a salute.
When Her Majesty is coming, the colour is lowered in salute.
The white stripes on their trousers does not designate the wearer to be an NCO as it was in USA, but it's a branch color. In this case white for infantry.
I love this sort of nerdy details.
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