1st King's Immemorial Infantry Regiment of AHQ
Encyclopedia
The King's Own Immemorial 1st Infantry Regiment of the Spanish Army
is considered to be the oldest armed unit in the world. There is certain proof of this and according to what the chronicles mention, King Ferdinand III, "The Saint,"
in 1248, during the conquest of Seville, with some of his men-at-arms, assaulted and took a tower. Seemingly, with such boldness and bravery they gained the admiration of the King. The campaign finished and with the consequent disbandment of troops, King Ferdinand decided to permanently keep with him said force, giving origin to the permanence of the Armies, that is to say, the origin of itself.
On 28 August 1632, on the initiative of Philip IV, a special Corps of troops was ordered to be formed with veteran soldiers, reenlistments and Knights of noble ancestry - men so skilled that they only took arms when the Monarch assumed command in person, designating it "King's Guard Colonelship." Its organization commenced in Almansa
in 1634, its force fixed at fifteen companies with 90 harquebusiers, 40 musketeer
s, and 60 corslet
s and pikemen
each. Later, in 1638, it was augmented to twenty. Its first Colonel, Count Duke of Olivares, Don Gaspar de Guzmán
, whose post was the recently created "King's Guard Colonelship," was in command of very distinguished soldiers of great renown. In 1640, Philip IV
elevated it to the category of King's Guard Regiment and in 1664 to Castile Tercio
. From 1701 to 1710 it was dedicated to its ancient mission, guarding the Monarch, and it was in 1707 when it received the designation Castile, and in 1710 that of Castile Immemorial Infantry Regiment. It gained glory in the Spanish War of Succession and the Italian Campaigns (1718-1749), eventually it received the name King's Infantry Regiment on 7 January 1766. That same year, King Charles III
, persuaded by the antiquity of the Regiment, declared it the King's Immemorial.
After diverse historical changes in losing and receiving its name, it received its present designation in 1995.
Traditionally, the Regiment is linked to the Spanish Royal Household, all the Princes of Asturias
since 1862 are enrolled as Honorary soldiers in the 1st Company. Following the tradition, H.R.H. Don Felipe de Borbón y Grecia (Prince of Asturias and present Heir to the Crown) assumed his post as a soldier in 1977.
The period chosen was that from 1780 to 1786, during which in accordance with the organization of Spanish Infantry, each Regiment had two Battalions, each one formed of nine companies, one of grenadiers and eight of fusiliers. The description in detail of the uniform is as follows:
The Regiment in order to execute these functions is organized, in addition to the Command Staff, in the following Units:
In addition to its usual functions it has participated, when it was required, in actions in behalf of the civilian population (ex. Environmental cleaning carried out in Galicia because of the sinking of the Prestige, etc.)
Spanish Army
The Spanish Army is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies - dating back to the 15th century.-Introduction:...
is considered to be the oldest armed unit in the world. There is certain proof of this and according to what the chronicles mention, King Ferdinand III, "The Saint,"
Ferdinand III of Castile
Saint Ferdinand III, T.O.S.F., was the King of Castile from 1217 and León from 1230. He was the son of Alfonso IX of León and Berenguela of Castile. Through his second marriage he was also Count of Aumale. He finished the work done by his maternal grandfather Alfonso VIII and consolidated the...
in 1248, during the conquest of Seville, with some of his men-at-arms, assaulted and took a tower. Seemingly, with such boldness and bravery they gained the admiration of the King. The campaign finished and with the consequent disbandment of troops, King Ferdinand decided to permanently keep with him said force, giving origin to the permanence of the Armies, that is to say, the origin of itself.
On 28 August 1632, on the initiative of Philip IV, a special Corps of troops was ordered to be formed with veteran soldiers, reenlistments and Knights of noble ancestry - men so skilled that they only took arms when the Monarch assumed command in person, designating it "King's Guard Colonelship." Its organization commenced in Almansa
Almansa
Almansa is a Spanish town and municipality in the province of Albacete, part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. The municipality borders with Alicante, Valencia and Murcia...
in 1634, its force fixed at fifteen companies with 90 harquebusiers, 40 musketeer
Musketeer
A musketeer was an early modern type of infantry soldier equipped with a musket. Musketeers were an important part of early modern armies, particularly in Europe. They sometimes could fight on horseback, like a dragoon or a cavalryman...
s, and 60 corslet
Corslet
A corslet is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "a piece of defensive armour covering the body." In Ancient Greek armies, the 'hoplite', or heavy infantryman, wore a bronze corslet or known as the thorax to protect his upper body. The corslet consisted of two plates connected on the sides...
s and pikemen
Pike (weapon)
A pike is a pole weapon, a very long thrusting spear used extensively by infantry both for attacks on enemy foot soldiers and as a counter-measure against cavalry assaults. Unlike many similar weapons, the pike is not intended to be thrown. Pikes were used regularly in European warfare from the...
each. Later, in 1638, it was augmented to twenty. Its first Colonel, Count Duke of Olivares, Don Gaspar de Guzmán
Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares
Don Gaspar de Guzmán y Pimentel Ribera y Velasco de Tovar, Count-Duke of Olivares and Duke of San Lúcar la Mayor , was a Spanish royal favourite of Philip IV and minister. As prime minister from 1621 to 1643, he over-exerted Spain in foreign affairs and unsuccessfully attempted domestic reform...
, whose post was the recently created "King's Guard Colonelship," was in command of very distinguished soldiers of great renown. In 1640, Philip IV
Philip IV
Philip IV may refer to:* Philip IV of Spain * Philip IV of France * Philip IV of Macedon * Philip IV of Burgundy * Philip IV of Aragon...
elevated it to the category of King's Guard Regiment and in 1664 to Castile Tercio
Tercio
The tercio was a Renaissance era military formation made up of a mixed infantry formation of about 3,000 pikemen, swordsmen and arquebusiers or musketeers in a mutually supportive formation. It was also sometimes referred to as the Spanish Square...
. From 1701 to 1710 it was dedicated to its ancient mission, guarding the Monarch, and it was in 1707 when it received the designation Castile, and in 1710 that of Castile Immemorial Infantry Regiment. It gained glory in the Spanish War of Succession and the Italian Campaigns (1718-1749), eventually it received the name King's Infantry Regiment on 7 January 1766. That same year, King Charles III
Charles III of Spain
Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...
, persuaded by the antiquity of the Regiment, declared it the King's Immemorial.
After diverse historical changes in losing and receiving its name, it received its present designation in 1995.
Traditionally, the Regiment is linked to the Spanish Royal Household, all the Princes of Asturias
Prince of Asturias
Prince of Asturias is the historical title given to the heir to the Spanish throne. It was also the title under the earlier Kingdom of Castile. The current Prince of Asturias is Felipe, son of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofía...
since 1862 are enrolled as Honorary soldiers in the 1st Company. Following the tradition, H.R.H. Don Felipe de Borbón y Grecia (Prince of Asturias and present Heir to the Crown) assumed his post as a soldier in 1977.
Traditional uniform
Instead of uniformity and as what is practiced in other countries with a military tradition, in Spain as well, H.M. King D. Juan Carlos I in 1981 accepted the proposal of CSA to equip two companies, which could render honors and participate in established ceremonies special in character, with the uniform and armaments of the end of the reign of Charles III.The period chosen was that from 1780 to 1786, during which in accordance with the organization of Spanish Infantry, each Regiment had two Battalions, each one formed of nine companies, one of grenadiers and eight of fusiliers. The description in detail of the uniform is as follows:
Fusilier uniform
It had a white uniform, with the green emblem, that of the King, by special grace it was dressed elegantly in the colors of the Royal Household troops, and as a special grace they wore botoneras on the vest and dress coat.Grenadier uniform
To wear this uniform there existed a norm in the selection of grenadier personnel, they must not wear glasses nor a beard; now it is possible to wear a beard (they are the only ones, together with the dragoons, who have the privilege to wear beards). In this era the grenadier company was considered to be a distinction or preference usually chosen over the fusilier companies by the bravest and tallest soldiers. These troops chosen not only for their height, but also for their valor and bravery, posted at the head of the Regiment, escort the Colors and are the first in the trenches. As a vanguard and reconnaissance force, they wear a short saber. The grenadier cap augmented their stature and the brass mechero on the strap of the cartridge pouch, in the same way the sardinetas which they wore on their cuffs distinguished these preferred companies of the Infantry.Current functions and structure
At present the Regiment is the Unit responsible for providing the central seat of Army Headquarters security, services, and support needed for its functioning, it also helps give security to that which the authorities decide. These functions support the fundamental objective of facilitating the functioning of the different Centers and Organisms of which the Headquarters is composed, to be able to achieve the following tasks:- Give security to the people as well as to the installations of Headquarters.
- Organize and direct services necessary to guarantee the optimal functioning of material resources in the service of Buenavista Palace, the supply of the Centers into which it is integrated, in this way also guaranteeing, through its transport assets, the mobility of the authorities and the board of Headquarters.
- Rendering prescribed honors within the garrison of Madrid and as an exception in other garrisons. This function, perhaps the best known by the public in general, gives, in different social functions, a special colorfulness. This function entails, in broad outline, the reception of Heads of State and other Civil and Military Authorities and the participation in cultural, social and religious functions of great relevance in Madrid and in different points of the national geography.
The Regiment in order to execute these functions is organized, in addition to the Command Staff, in the following Units:
- Honor Battalion, charged with rendering honors, with two companies of Infantry and a section of Artillery with six 105/14 howitzers.
- Automobile unit with 274 luxury vehicles.
- Support Unit with two companies, one of Security which gives security to the installations as well as to the personnel of Army Headquarters and to the Centers and Institutions located in Buenavista Palace and the other company of Staff and Support where army personnel who execute functions of administrative support to the Centers and Institutions of AHQ are assigned.
- Service Unit composed of a company and two Units, one of Installations Support and the other of Personnel Support. The Service Company gives mechanical support to Buenavista Palace whereas the Units keep watch over the proper functioning of the installations and the well-being of personnel posted at AHQ.
- Band Unit composed of 65 members, well known all over of Spain for its excellent concerts.
In addition to its usual functions it has participated, when it was required, in actions in behalf of the civilian population (ex. Environmental cleaning carried out in Galicia because of the sinking of the Prestige, etc.)