The glorious beginnings of a forgotten regiment

Most regiments of the British Army are able to trace their history in an unbroken line to the date of their creation. Not so the British cavalry regiment which is the subject of this book, because today it has been largely forgotten. The 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers came into being in 1858, yet curiously in precedence it ranked behind the 17th Lancers. This is because in 1798 this regiment-known at the time as the 5th (or Royal Irish) Regiment of Dragoons-was disbanded in disgrace following false accusations that Irish rebels had infiltrated its ranks. As a result of this most overviews of the regiment's history consider it to be a lancer regiment from the mid-19th century. In fact the regiment was formed in 1689 as James Wynn's Regiment of Dragoons, and had an illustrious career in that role long before lances were introduced into the British Army. It fought at the Battle of the Boyne and at Aughrim during the Irish Campaign, and became the Royal Dragoons of Ireland serving during the War of Spanish Succession and winning battle honours at Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet. The Leonaur editors believe this is the first time that this regiment has been the subject of a book in its own right and that the time has come to give it the credit it is due. The text has been principally taken from Willcox's more expansive work, and the book includes additional maps and illustrations which were not included in the original text. This is an essential book for those interested in Irish regiments or the campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.