Peninsular War uniform guides for around 1810?

[cram]

Hi, I've decided to start Napoleonic gaming, looking at the Peninsular war. I have around 1809/1810 in mind! Apart from the Osprey books and Philip Haythornthwaite and Michael Chappells book Uniforms of the Peninsular Wars, what other books are there on the subject? I'd especially like to learn more about the Spanish uniforms.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks Marc.

[Unlucky General]

Marc,

I recommend Gerard Cronin and Stephen Summerfield's Spanish Infantry of the Early Peninsular War (Uniforms, Organisation and equipment of the Line and Militia) and their Spanish Cavalry of the Early Peninsular War (Uniforms, Organisation and equipment of the Line Cavalry, Guard and Artillery). Published 2014/18.

[SJWi]

Marc, I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. From memory when I went down the same track the Cronin books were £40-50 each.  I have a book called "Godoy's Army" by Charles Esdaille and Alan Perry.  Esdaille is probably the most knowledgeable writer on the Peninsular War in English. It is based on a Spanish book from circa 1800 and illustrates the Spanish army that started the Peninsular War.  I picked mine up dirt cheap from Naval and Military press, but they no longer list it. I've just checked Amazon and whilst most go for silly money there is a 2nd hand copy going for about  £17 including P&P . The original publisher Helion show is as "out of print".

[cram]

Many thanks. I'll check out those books. I had come across them, but thought they would not cover uniforms as late as 1810.

[SJWi]

Cram, I'm no expert but I think you have a choice with the Spanish. Either the "early army" in white uniforms and bicornes ,or the later  army which was re-equipped largely by the British. The "Godoy's Army" book obviously covers the early period.   

[cram]

ok, thanks. Think I might go earlier then.

Thanks for the input.

[SteveBurt]

Uniforms of the Peninsular Wars 1807-1814 by Philip Haythornthwaite and Michael Chappell

[freerangeegg]

There are some excellent on line sources too. These are a couple I found very useful:
https://balagan.info/napoleonic-wars/peninsular-war/peninsular-war-painting-guides
http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/search/label/Spanish

[cram]

Many thanks for the additional info, will be a great help! 

[huevans]

Hi, I've decided to start Napoleonic gaming, looking at the Peninsular war. I have around 1809/1810 in mind! Apart from the Osprey books and Philip Haythornthwaite and Michael Chappells book Uniforms of the Peninsular Wars, what other books are there on the subject? I'd especially like to learn more about the Spanish uniforms.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks Marc.

The question is whether any of the old regime uniforms for the Spanish army would be left by 1810? Or whether they would have been replaced with British manufactured kit or new blue or brown Spanish-made uniforms.

If your force is British-aligned, I would go with British "lend-lease" stuff. If independent, scruffy, non regulation Spanish clothing.

[rumacara]

Google for José Maria Bueno illustrations and you will find some usefull color plates.

[Littlearmies]

Marc, I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. From memory when I went down the same track the Cronin books were £40-50 each.  I have a book called "Godoy's Army" by Charles Esdaille and Alan Perry.  Esdaille is probably the most knowledgeable writer on the Peninsular War in English. It is based on a Spanish book from circa 1800 and illustrates the Spanish army that started the Peninsular War.  I picked mine up dirt cheap from Naval and Military press, but they no longer list it. I've just checked Amazon and whilst most go for silly money there is a 2nd hand copy going for about  £17 including P&P . The original publisher Helion show is as "out of print".

It's a nice little booklet but it doesn't describe the army of 1808 - there were new uniform regulations in 1802 and again in 1805, so the 1798 uniforms illustrated aren't really applicable - it would be an excellent guide for The War of the Oranges in 1801, however. The Cronin / Summerfield books are an excellent "one stop shop" in that they do exactly as described and are first rate guides for 1808/9 - unfortunately they become progressively less useful for later years due to the lack of information / ad hoc delivery and equipping of Spanish troops with British made uniforms, weapons and locally produced equipment etc. 

If the OP is looking for a decent guide to the Spanish Army in the Peninsular Wars without breaking the bank I'd suggest the Osprey MAA332 "Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2)" by Rene Chartrand, this covers the 1808-1812 period. Alternatively, https://libreriaalmena.com/GUERREROS-BATALLAS Guerreros y Battallas (Warriors and Battles) is a Spanish series of books whose basic format would be very familiar to any Osprey reader. They are in Spanish, and cover subjects of interest to Spanish readers - they have numerous books featuring Peninsular battles generally not covered by English language authors. Each guide includes maps of the battlefield, uniform guides etc. Even if you don't speak Spanish they are well worth a look - and have books on topics from history that make you think - "hmm, I've never seen anyone model that army before..." To be honest, I'm astonished that they have never translated their works into English - but that seems to be a common failing in Spain.

[Ben Waterhouse]

If you can find a copy you want this.



Hat Tip Prometheus in Aspic blog.

[Thargor]

For Forager and The Silver Bayonet figures I've been using this webpage:

https://balagan.info/napoleonic-wars/peninsular-war/peninsular-war-painting-guides