blue bonnet?

[DWFII]

What's the "proper" (historical?) way to wear a Jacobite style blue bonnet? Square on the head but pulled over the right ear? Tilted and pulled over the ear? or Square on the head with no shaping of the bonnet itself?

I have a white cockade that will be mounted over the left temple, so if that makes a difference....

I realize that the blue bonnet was probably worn all kinds of different ways but what I'm seeking is a recognizable "look" appropriate to the bonnet and, perhaps but not rigidly, to the period.

[Pleater]

From a couple of references, which is rather scanty I know, historically, the blue or Scotch bonnet was worn every and any which way, either as it fell or happened to get pulled.

If you are putting on a cockade then I think you should wear it so it is visible, but other than that just find a mirror and try it various ways until you find one that you feel suits you. If you find the bonnet too large or floppy for your taste you can fold in a pleat and sew or pin it to reduce the volume and suport the cockade. It makes a place to wear a feather or other ornament, or to hide folding money.

Anne the Pleater

[Riverkilt]

Old paintings would probably be the best source if you can google any up somehow.

This famous Jacobite painting is probably fairly new, but hopefully the artist researched the blue bonnet placement...



Ron

[Deil the Yin]

What's the "proper" (historical?) way to wear a Jacobite style blue bonnet? Square on the head but pulled over the right ear? Tilted and pulled over the ear? or Square on the head with no shaping of the bonnet itself?

I have a white cockade that will be mounted over the left temple, so if that makes a difference....

I realize that the blue bonnet was probably worn all kinds of different ways but what I'm seeking is a recognizable "look" appropriate to the bonnet and, perhaps but not rigidly, to the period.

From a couple of references, which is rather scanty I know, historically, the blue or Scotch bonnet was worn every and any which way, either as it fell or happened to get pulled.

If you are putting on a cockade then I think you should wear it so it is visible, but other than that just find a mirror and try it various ways until you find one that you feel suits you. If you find the bonnet too large or floppy for your taste you can fold in a pleat and sew or pin it to reduce the volume and suport the cockade. It makes a place to wear a feather or other ornament, or to hide folding money.

Anne the Pleater

My first thought regarding this issue was something along the lines of Pleater, as I've never known the Jacobite army to have had "uniforms" in which the cap might have been worn to some regulation. On top of that the nature of Gaelic Highland culture tends to be individualistic and creative as opposed to rigidly militaristic or imperial etc (eg though the breacan mor or great plaid was the common habit among highlanders, it could be worn in a myriad of ways in addition to the pattern/tartan itself which were woven to individual specs as opposed to the modern custom of "clan tartans"). That being said, I'm not exactly an expert on the Jacobite armies, so the question arose- were there in fact uniformed regiments within the Jacobite contingency at anytime of the '45? Pray tell...

Curiously,
Wesley

[macwilkin]

My first thought regarding this issue was something along the lines of Pleater, as I've never known the Jacobite army to have had "uniforms" in which the cap might have been worn to some regulation. On top of that the nature of Gaelic Highland culture tends to be individualistic and creative as opposed to rigidly militaristic or imperial etc (eg though the breacan mor or great plaid was the common habit among highlanders, it could be worn in a myriad of ways in addition to the pattern/tartan itself which were woven to individual specs as opposed to the modern custom of "clan tartans"). That being said, I'm not exactly an expert on the Jacobite armies, so the question arose- were there in fact uniformed regiments within the Jacobite contingency at anytime of the '45? Pray tell...

Curiously,
Wesley

Well, yes and no...the myth of the Jacobite forces paints them all as wild Highland clansmen, when in reality there were a number of "military" units serving with Charles during the '45, such as Lord John Drummond's Royal Ecossais, who were serving in the French Army as exiles, akin to their Irish cousins, the famous "Wild Geese". You can see recreated uniforms of the Royal Ecossias here:

http://www.scotwars.com/html/royal_e...s_regiment.htm

Other uniformed Jacobite regiments included the Irish piquets (Irish soldiers in French service seconded to Charlie), Fitz-James Horse and Baggot's Hussars:

http://www.scotwars.com/html/fitzjames_regiment.htm

http://theborderers.info/BaggotsHussars.html

Stuart Reid's The Scottish Jacobite Army 1745-46 has some good information about the forces loyal to the Young Pretender.

I'm sure Woodsheal will chime in as well...

Regards,

Todd

[Sir William]

To our eyes, more used to the modern military beret, we usually think of them as being worn pulled over the right ear (British and US) or left ear (French), but back in the mid-18th century the bonnet appeared to be worn any which way according to personal preference, if period paintings are to be trusted. However, most seemed to be worn more of less squarely on the head similar to that of my avatar. The Penicuik drawings of the Jacobite army in 1745-56 shows a rather mishaped bonnet, with the cockade placed just about anywhere - on the side, on the top side or front, and even in the rear (on top).

The Van Gucht drawings of the 43rd Highlanders (before they became the more famous 42nd) show more uniformity - as might be expected for a military unit. The bonnet is worn pretty much square on the head, with the black Hanovarian cockade worn over the left eye.

For whats it worth, I tend to wear my bonnet pulled down in various directions to shade my eyes as might be necessary - to include toward the front where it can also keep some of the rain out my eyes.

The Jacobite Army had no "uniform" or even uniformity, save the white cockade which served as a recognition device, so wear your bonnet however you like.

The Osprey books on the Jacobites include some period illustrations that might be helpful: The Scottish Jacobite Army, 1745-46 by Stuart Reid; The Jacobite Rebellions 1689-1745 by Michael Barthorp; and Highland Clansman 1689-1746 by Stuart Reid.

[macwilkin]

To our eyes, more used to the modern military beret, we usually think of them as being worn pulled over the right ear (British and US) or left ear (French), but back in the mid-18th century the bonnet appeared to be worn any which way according to personal preference, if period paintings are to be trusted. However, most seemed to be worn more of less squarely on the head similar to that of my avatar. The Penicuik drawings of the Jacobite army in 1745-56 shows a rather mishaped bonnet, with the cockade placed just about anywhere - on the side, on the top side or front, and even in the rear (on top).

The Van Gucht drawings of the 43rd Highlanders (before they became the more famous 42nd) show more uniformity - as might be expected for a military unit. The bonnet is worn pretty much square on the head, with the black Hanovarian cockade worn over the left eye.

For whats it worth, I tend to wear my bonnet pulled down in various directions to shade my eyes as might be necessary - to include toward the front where it can also keep some of the rain out my eyes.

The Jacobite Army had no "uniform" or even uniformity, save the white cockade which served as a recognition device, so wear your bonnet however you like.

The Osprey books on the Jacobites include some period illustrations that might be helpful: The Scottish Jacobite Army, 1745-46 by Stuart Reid; The Jacobite Rebellions 1689-1745 by Michael Barthorp; and Highland Clansman 1689-1746 by Stuart Reid.

See my post above for a brief discussion of the units in the Jacobite forces that did have uniforms, William. All three of the books you mention discuss these regiments.

Regards,

Todd

[DWFII]

Much obliged for all the info.

Before this question had more than an answer or two, I took some photos...

This bonnet was made by my loving wife (as was the cockade (from a drawing and photo posted on this forum).

I am wearing it much like I would wear the TOS simply to display the cockade but tell me what you all think. Does it look anywhere near acceptable for the period?

[jmercier]

Looks great. I know that part of the design was such that you could just pull it forward like the visor on a baseball cap to help block out the sun too.

[puffer]

As to "period correct"(PC) ????? If you look @ the "vintage pictures" that have been posted on our site,(http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...316/index.html ) of TOS's worn by "regiments" in "formal"poses, you will see that they (TOS) were worn how ever it pleased the wearer. Ergo, if a Regimental Sgt. or Officer wore his head gear as e pleased, IMHO, the "undisiplined"Jacobite would also.

So if a PC/nazi (as we call them in my sport) gives you a hassle, tell him to get real & to "BUGGER OFF"

BTW, I REASLY LIKE the LOOK. & your wife did a GREAT Job.

Puffer