Smålands storregemente
Encyclopedia
Smålands storregemente or Landsregementet i Småland (Småland Grand Regiment, Regiment of the Land in Småland) was one of the nine grand regiments organized by Gustavus Adolphus in the late 1610s and split into smaller regiments in the 1620s.
from smaller units of 500 men called fänikor, more specifically from the province of Småland
and the counties of Kalmar
and Kronoberg
, in 1616 and counting 3,000 men. The regiment had seven fänikor and 2,478 men in 1618 under the command of Herman Wrangel
. The grand regiment was in turn organized into three field regiments (fältregementen) and a cavalry regiment, thus actually being more like a brigade
in spite of the name.
The regiment did not take part in any campaign during its short lifetime. The grand regiments of Sweden where reorganized during the early 1620s to consist of three field regiments, each of eight companies
of 150 men, thus making the total number 3,600 soldiers per grand regiment. It is unsure whether or not the cavalry regiment was included in the total number.
In 1623, the regiment was split into three smaller regiments, Kronobergs regemente
, Kalmar regemente
and Smålands kavalleriregemente.
History
Raised in GötalandGötaland
Götaland , Gothia, Gothland, Gothenland, Gautland or Geatland is one of three lands of Sweden and comprises provinces...
from smaller units of 500 men called fänikor, more specifically from the province of Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
and the counties of Kalmar
Kalmar County
Kalmar County is a county or län in southern Sweden. It borders the counties of Kronoberg, Jönköping, Blekinge and Östergötland. To the east in the Baltic Sea is the island Gotland....
and Kronoberg
Kronoberg County
Kronoberg County is a County or län in southern Sweden. It borders the counties of Skåne, Halland, Jönköping, Kalmar and Blekinge. Its capital is the city Växjö.- Province :For History, Geography and Culture see: Småland...
, in 1616 and counting 3,000 men. The regiment had seven fänikor and 2,478 men in 1618 under the command of Herman Wrangel
Herman Wrangel
Herman Wrangel was a Swedish soldier and politician of Baltic German extraction. He was appointed Field Marshal in 1621, Privy Councillor in 1630, and Governor General of Livonia in 1643...
. The grand regiment was in turn organized into three field regiments (fältregementen) and a cavalry regiment, thus actually being more like a brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
in spite of the name.
The regiment did not take part in any campaign during its short lifetime. The grand regiments of Sweden where reorganized during the early 1620s to consist of three field regiments, each of eight companies
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of 150 men, thus making the total number 3,600 soldiers per grand regiment. It is unsure whether or not the cavalry regiment was included in the total number.
In 1623, the regiment was split into three smaller regiments, Kronobergs regemente
Kronobergs regemente
Kronobergs regemente , designations I 11 and I 11/Fo 16, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was disbanded in 1997...
, Kalmar regemente
Kalmar regemente
Kalmar regemente , designations I 20, I 21 and Fo 18, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was merged with another unit to form a new regiment in 1928. It was later reraised and disbanded again in 1997...
and Smålands kavalleriregemente.
Organization
Before being split, the regiment was organized as follows:- 1:a fältregementet (1st Field Regiment)
- 8 companies from Kalmar County
- 2:a fältregementet (2nd Field Regiment)
- 8 companies from Kronoberg County
- 3:e fältregementet (3rd Field Regiment)
- 4 companies from Kalmar County
- 4 companies from Kronoberg County
- Kavalleriregementet (Cavalry Regiment)
- 8 companies from Småland
See also
- List of Swedish regiments
- List of Swedish wars
- History of SwedenHistory of SwedenModern Sweden started out of the Kalmar Union formed in 1397 and by the unification of the country by King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century. In the 17th century Sweden expanded its territories to form the Swedish empire. Most of these conquered territories had to be given up during the 18th century...
- Provinces of SwedenProvinces of SwedenThe provinces of Sweden, landskap, are historical, geographical and cultural regions. Sweden has 25 provinces and they have no administrative function, but remain historical legacies and the means of cultural identification....