Let me emphasize that these are just my personal opinions and notes. I'm sharing them in the hope they might be helpful to those new to this period of history. I welcome any clarifications or corrections—ideally supported by evidence.
As a wargamer, I've been exploring the changes in warfare during the "Lace Wars" era, spanning the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748), and the Seven Years' War (1756–1763). When I first delved into this fascinating period, I assumed there weren’t significant differences in tactics or technology between these conflicts. I was mistaken. Over the 62 years encompassing these wars, there were numerous key changes in troop types, tactics, and technology.
These notes reflect my personal attempts to understand some of these changes, particularly in tactics and organization. I'm sharing them in the hope they might assist others who, like me, are interested in better understanding how warfare evolved during this time.
War of Spanish Succession (WSS 1701-1714)
Key Wargaming Points
• Big battles were by mutual consent. It took several hours to set up ready for battle.
• Infantry fight in line and march to the battle in column of march. Infantry firefights took place at close range 30yds-80yds. Musket range should be about the width of an infantry battalion.
• Cavalry fought enemy cavalry. The winning cavalry then threatened the flanks and rear of the enemy infantry.
• Cavalry rarely defeated infantry with a frontal change.
• Cavalry tactics were split between charging home and trotting with pistols.
• Artillery was mainly immobile.
Infantry
During the War of Spanish Succession (WSS), infantry units were equipped with flintlocks and socket bayonets. The British infantry typically formed in three ranks, while the French infantry used four ranks. Cadence marching was not yet implemented during this period, meaning soldiers moved from point to point on the battlefield rather than marching in synchronized steps. The spacing between files in a regiment was also wider than it would be in later wars.
Infantry could generally expect to survive a frontal attack by cavalry, provided their flanks were secured.
The firepower of British and Dutch infantry was superior to that of the French due to several factors, including better training, the use of the platoon firing system, and more effective muskets.
The British practiced regular firing and reloading drills, while French infantry generally only fired their muskets once a year, except in times of war.
The British and Dutch employed a "Firing by Platoon" system, while the French used "Firing by Ranks." There has been considerable debate on the merits of these methods. Some argue that, after the first few volleys, the battlefield smoke was so dense that the difference between the two systems was negligible. My view is that, based on the experiences of soldiers whose lives depended on these tactics, the British and Dutch approach likely offered an advantage, as evidenced by its adoption by most armies by the Napoleonic Wars.
The British, Dutch, and other progressive nations used pre-made cartridges that allowed soldiers to quickly load their muskets by pouring in a standard charge, inserting a musket ball with wadding, and priming. Some nations, including France, were slower to adopt this method. For instance, the French introduced the gargousse (a paper cartridge without a musket ball) in 1703, but did not standardize a paper cartridge with an integrated ball until 1738.
The British used 12-bore muskets (meaning 12 balls per pound of lead), while the French used 24-bore muskets (24 balls per pound). Although the French could carry more ammunition due to the smaller musket ball size, British muskets had a greater impact per shot. French infantrymen believed that British muskets caused more severe wounds, which may or may not have been accurate but nonetheless provided the British with a psychological advantage.
Given these factors, it seems reasonable to conclude that British and Dutch firepower was markedly superior to that of the French.
Light Infantry
Specialist Light infantry did not exist amongst the major European powers during this period. It was common practice by the French to deploy Grenadiers in "light infantry" roles to occupy woods and advance ahead to capture and hold villages etc. It is therefore reasonable to assume that other Armies did the same or similar.
Horse (Cavalry)
Almost all Horse regiments in this period were cuirassiers. Most word breastplates, many wore backplates and many wore "secrets" steel caps under their hats.
Almost all Horse regiments in this period were cuirassiers. Most word breastplates, many wore backplates and many wore "secrets" steel caps under their hats.
British cavalry started the war without armour but adopted it during the war. Also note that the French light horse were called that to differentiate them from the Household cavalry. There were in fact heavy cavalry.
The British, Dutch and Danish followed the "Swedish" style and charged at a gallop. The Franch, Austrian and others relied on a slower approach where cavalrymen would ride up to the enemy, fire their pistols, and then either charge home or retreat to reload depending on how shaken were their opponents . There was much discussion and disagreement over which style was best. During the WSS some French colonels adopted the "swedish" style but most remained with the traditional approach.
It should be noted that at the battle of Ramillies the French Maison do Roi responded with a flat-out counter-charge against the Allie horse under Ouwerkerk suggesting that the separation of "styles" was not as clear cut as some think as this involved over 4,000 sabres.
There were pros and cons for each however 100 years later in the Napoleonic wars everyone was charging. Which suggests it was the better approach.
From a wargame perspective your figures may look like "medium" cavalry in coats and tricorn hats they are in fact wearing steel cuirasses under their coats and steel caps under their hats. They are what we would call Cuirassiers in Napoleonic armies.
Dragoons
During this period, dragoons primarily served as mounted infantry. However, the British Dragoons were an exception. The War Office recognized that dragoons were paid less than heavy cavalry and reclassified some regiments as dragoons, although they continued to function as heavy cavalry.
During this period, dragoons primarily served as mounted infantry. However, the British Dragoons were an exception. The War Office recognized that dragoons were paid less than heavy cavalry and reclassified some regiments as dragoons, although they continued to function as heavy cavalry.
Light Cavalry and Hussars
Light cavalry in the WSS was deployed mainly for scouting purposes and did not play a significant role in direct combat.
The Austrian Empire, which included Hungary, raised several hussar regiments that primarily fought against the Ottoman Turks on the Empire’s eastern front.
The French established hussar units as early as 1692 and had five hussar regiments active during the WSS.
Artillery
Dragged to the battle field by civilian waggoneers, once unlimbered it was moved by hand. At the Battle of Malplanquet, Lord Orkney's forces dragged heavy Artillery through dense woods.
Dragged to the battle field by civilian waggoneers, once unlimbered it was moved by hand. At the Battle of Malplanquet, Lord Orkney's forces dragged heavy Artillery through dense woods.
War of Austrian Succession (WAS 1740 -1748)
Key Wargaming Points
As the WSS with the following changes:
• Light infantry started to have a role but primarily used to secure woods and advanced positions ahead of the main army.
• Artillery started to be mobile.
Infantry
The Introduction of candance marching allowing a formed body of men to be moved between two points in an orderly and disciplined manner. The French has caught up with everyone else and used In 1738, that the paper cartridge including the ball became standard. Prussians introduced the iron ramrod which speeded up their reloading and reduced breakages which prevented reloading.
However French and Austrians weapon handling remained slow and was outclassed by the English, Prussians etc.
Foot were happy to receive frontal changes from cavalry but became much more vulnerable when changed in the flank or rear. The square was used as a formation by isolated infantry such as at Mollwitz (WAS) when two Austrian Grenadier battalions formed squares as they didn't have secure flanks and it was snowing.
Light Infantry
The need for light infantry was recognized during this period, but only small numbers were raised. These troops were primarily used to secure woods and advanced positions ahead of the main army. Unlike the Napoleonic period, they were not deployed in large skirmish swarms.
The French actively raised and utilized light troops throughout the War of Austrian Succession (WAS). Notably, Grassin's Legion, established in 1744, played a critical role in defending the woods at the Battle of Fontenoy. By 1748, the French Army had expanded its light infantry force to 16 "corps," totaling approximately 10,000 men.
The Prussians established a Jägerkorps consisting of 300 men, while the Dutch formed the Nederlander Freicorps, a unit of 250 men. I suspect there are other regiments I've not listed.
The Austrians raised over 1,000 men as Pandours. By the end of the war, they had expanded this force into nine Grenze-Infantry regiments. However, two-thirds of this force were engaged in conflicts against the Ottoman Turks on Austria’s eastern front.
Cavalry
The cavalry remained much the same as in the WSS. The still included a mix of charging or trotting with pistols. The British, Dutch, Danish and Prussians preferring to change and the French and Austrians preferring to trot. In the French army, Individual French colonels did choose to charge if they preferred that style.
Dragoons remained much the same as in the WSS although they were a bit more capable of performing a cavalry role.
Hussars remained much the same as the WSS.
Artillery
Mobility was improved through the replacement of civilian Artillery trains with military ones. This allowed for the movement of guns during battle.
Seven Years War (SYW 1756-1763)
Key Wargaming Points
As the WAS with the following changes:
• Dragoons had moved from and Infantry role to a battlefield cavalry role.
• Artillery was mobile and horse artillery started to appear.
Infantry
The Prussians were regarded as the best Infantry although their quality dropped through the course of the war. Steady infantry could still withstand a frontal cavalry charge (unlike the Napoleonic wars).
Light Infantry
Light infantry remained restricted to protecting flanks, woods, vineyards etc.
The Austrian Army deployed 15,600 Grenze LI in the European theatre.
Fredric the Great did not feel that light infantry had a battlefield role and used them for raids, reconnaissance and guarding the Army's bakery (a key resource).
Cavalry
The prime battlefield cavalry remained the Cuirassiers.
Dragoons
Dragoons moved to joint battlefield & escort cavalry role. They could still fight as infantry but it was very rare.
Light Cavalry
Most armies started to raise light cavalry, i.e. Hussars, Chevauxlegersr (Saxon 1756/Austria 1760) or, light dragoons (Britain 1759) . With the exception of the Prussians their role was more for scouting and raiding that fighting in battle
(Interesting point of note: Blucher of Waterloo fame was a Hussar in this war)
Artillery
Austrians advanced artillery design to Napoleonic standards and introduced horse artillery.
For further reference I recommend
- On the differences between British and French firepower, refer to Destructive & Formidable: British Infantry Firepower 1642–1765 by David Blackmore.
- The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborogh - David Chandler.
- The Armies and Uniforms of Malborough's Wars Vol1 & Vol 2 - CS Grant
- Kronoskaf Project WSS
- Kronoskar Project Seven Years War
I'd like to expand my notes to cover the Great Northern War and the 9 Years War but they can be future goals
