At the time of Friederich the Great, each infantry regiment had a few regimental flags and a body flag. In the cavalry it was the same, but the flags (ancients) were much smaller and mostly not painted but embroidered. But not all regular Hussar regiments had ancients. Most Free Hussars had no ancients at all.
And even though the free-regiment Hussars von Glasenapp did not lead an ancient at the time, the regiment let paint Colonel Wolfgang Peter a Red Regiment (Eskadron) ancient and a White Life ancient. The body flag had the reverse colors of Eskadron’s ancient. So a white flag with a red heart.
On Saturday, January 12, 2019, the two ancients were ready and the regiment could start to beat the silver nails in the garrison lock Holtmühle. Present were also her friends “The Voormalige Regiment Cavalarie” from Venlo and Feldscher Major Dr. Beurskens.
The silver nails were made and donated by Goldschmidt Boermans from Venlo. The hammering was done with great care by his Excellency General Major L. Noordzij and Chief Mayor Scholten von Gross Venlo. Each ancient received two silver nails.
After this ceremony, Major Rik Poeth commanded two new recruits – Husar Winkelman and Husar Ramaekers – forward for the oath of allegiance. The two new hussars vowed to God and the witnesses present, Generals Major Noordzij, Chief Mayor Scholten and the mother of the company Baroness von der Heijden, the flag loyalty.
After a salute, the regiments and the guests of honor marched into the castle. Here Colonel Poeth thanked General Major Noordzij and Mayor Scholten and handed over a seal of approval. He then thanked the guests and hussars with the traditional Glasenapp liqueur.
Patron General Noordzij congratulated the two new hussars and explained the importance of the ancients. At that time, it served not only as a recognition, (one knew where the regiment was and also the chief or prince) but it had a symbolic meaning. The oath made a vow, respect and reverence. He concluded with the memorable words: “The flag is the clock under which shadow the regiment lives, triumphs or dies. It is the union point under which the regiment goes into battle and under which it can carry the victory. “
The General donated some delicious glasses of beer and brought out a toast to the Hussars Regiment of Glasenapp. The regiment should be proud of its ancients.
The hammering of the silver nails was the first part of the ceremony. The ancients should be blessed, as the tradition demands. On Sunday, 3 February 2019, the Glasenapp Hussars moved from their garrison town of Château Holtmühle to Maastricht. The field preacher Major Dautzenberg from Tegelen had been given an important position in Maastricht. So the Hussars went to the Sint Servaas Basilica in Maastricht for the blessing of the flag.
All the Dutch associations of the Union of the European Historical Military Groups were present, while the field preacher blessed the ancients: the Maastricht Brigade, the Voormalige Regiment Kavallerie and of course the Hussars of Glasenapp. After the mass, the regiments lined up in front of the church and the Glasenapp hussars fired a commemorative shot in memory.
The regiment prides itself on its two ancients and will honor them for every reenactment battle.
Report: Colonel F.W.M. Poeth
Photos: Nanette Ramaekers-Ubben and Maud van Dooren-Blok