British Army: Campaign Records, 1660-1714

Military Records Information 23

1. The Army

The establishment of a small standing army in 1660 was sanctioned by Parliament for the protection of the monarch and the maintenance of order. George Monck, created Duke of Albemarle, whose march on London in January 1660 contributed to the restoration of Charles II, was appointed its commander with the title of Captain-General. As such, he was the principal military adviser to the Crown, supported by the Adjutant-General and the Quartermaster-General. These two officers were the most senior permanent officers of the army, responsible for discipline and administration: the office of Captain-General or Commander-in-chief was filled only when required. A good secondary source for this period is Roger B Manning An Apprenticeship in Arms: The Origins of the British Army 1585-1702 (OUP, 2006).

2. The Alphabetical Guide and published sources

Records of military campaigns for this period are chiefly to be found among the State Papers and War Office papers. The major guide to these and other sources is the Alphabetical Guide to War Office and other Military Records (Public Record Office Lists and Indexes vol. LIII, 1931; Kraus Reprints, 1963). This is an index by subject, name and regiment to the State Papers and War Office records and should be consulted for the period. It gives specific document references.

A more general guide is M Roper, Records of the War Office and Related Departments, 1660-1964 (PRO, 1998).

Many of the State Papers have been published in brief in the Calendars of State Papers Domestic Series, Charles II, James II, William and Mary, Anne (Public Record Office Calendars, London 1860-1947).

3. The Records

State Papers Domestic, Entry Books: SP 44

This class contains King's letters, Secretary's letters, warrants, etc, which are arranged chronologically by Secretary of State and topically. Military entry books from 1661 contain the Secretaries' correspondence on army matters. The Duke of Monmouth's command from 1674 to 1679 is covered by SP 44/41 , SP 44/48 , SP 44/52 and SP 44/58 , which include letters, orders and warrants. SP 44/52 includes letters and orders relating to the Flanders campaign during the Third Dutch War.

King William's Chest: SP 8

This is a class of papers assembled by William III, both as Prince of Orange and later as King, dated 1670 to 1698. The documents are a mixture of foreign and domestic papers, many of which relate to military affairs, and to William's opposition to the domination of Europe by Louis XIV of France. As leader of the allied coalition against Louis XIV the papers document William's foreign policy and the war with France from 1689 to 1697. In SP 8/17 there are papers relating to the treaty of Ryswick which ended the war. Almost all the documents have been calendared, with the exception of a few miscellaneous foreign papers, in the Calendars of State Papers Domestic for the reigns of Charles II, James II and William and Mary.

State Papers Foreign, Military Expeditions: SP 87

SP 87 are original in-letters and despatches to the Secretary of State from the military commanders in the field in the Low Countries and Germany. There are reports on military campaigns and diplomatic negotiations. SP 87/1 to SP 87/7 cover the period from 1695 to 1712, including the campaign of William III in the Low Countries (to 1697), and the War of Spanish Succession (1702-1713). SP 87/2 , SP 87/3 , SP 87/5 and SP 87/6 contain the reports and despatches of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough to the Secretaries of State from May 1702 to November 1711. They include the despatches for his four famous victories. There is also correspondence with other European commanders and statesmen. SP 87/7 contains the correspondence of the Duke of Ormonde, who was Marlborough's replacement as Commander-in-chief from 1711.

State Papers Military: SP 41

These are the letters from the Secretary-at-War and the senior officers of the Army to the Secretaries of State relating to military affairs from 1702. No out-letters from the Secretaries of State to the Secretary-at-War survive for this period.

The strength, composition and movements of units and formations of the Army can be found in Marching Orders WO 5 (from 1683) and Establishments WO 24 (from 1661).

America and West Indies: Original Correspondence CO 5

From 1710: includes military despatches and reports on expeditions in North America and the Caribbean. They relate mainly to campaigns against the French and various Indian peoples.

West Indies Original Correspondence CO 318

From 1699: contains military despatches from the Caribbean.

(ri2023) Last updated: 28 June 2004 | © Crown Copyright 2002