Lot 641
A RARE PENINSULA WAR GUIDON.
A Guidon of late 18th Century form worked with a central crowned motif representing England, Scotland and Ireland surrounded by four cartouches, two with the white horse of Hanover the others '1st E LEGION'. Inscribed to the reverse: "This Guidon was probably carried in the Peninsular War by Ensign Cawther, whose miniature portrait I remember seeing amongst my Fathers things, but witch disappeared later. My Great Grandmother Annie Waylett b.1832 was born Cawther. A Guidon was generally carried by two Ensigns, since there is only one side to this flag (and I believe it should also have a fringe) It is possible that the two Ensigns each kept half when the war was over. .. July 1992"
The flag 51cm high, 80cm wide, mounted framed and glazed, not examined out of the frame.
Guidon's were issued one per troop, this interesting example lacks battle honours and does not appear to be from a British regular Cavalry regiment, perhaps a Yeomanry or Fencible cavalry regiment.
A very similar example can be found in the National Army Museum NAM.1975-09-72-1 The First King's or Royal Guidon, Sussex Corps of Fencible Cavalry 1794-1800.
Provenance: Quite possibly the family of the original carrier and thence by descent.
