French Guards of the Seven Years’ War
The Gardes Françaises were a guard infantry regiment serving the Kings of France from 1563 to 1789. Created by Charles IX., the French Guards had an initial strength of 9000 men in 30 companies. By 1789, their strength had been established at 3600 all ranks deployed in six battalions of 1 grenadier and 4 fusilier companies each. The regimental colonel held the rank of Marshal of France. The captains of grenadier companies ranked as colonels of line infantry regiments. By the 18th century, the Gardes-Françaises were brigaded with the Gardes Suisses. They fought at the Battle of Dettingen, 27 june 1743, and at Fontenoy, 11 may 1745.
