Phase 1 - The First 'British' Army

Prior to the accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne as James I of England (and VI of Scotland) in 1603, there was no truly 'British' army, nor particularly was there a particular desire for it afterwards

At the time of Elizabeth I of England, and James VI of Scotland, both their armies were strongly protestant

The concept of 'British-ness' was a desire voiced by King James I of England in order to 'bring together' the two kingdoms of England and Scotland, along with the dominions of Wales and Ireland, into some sort of unity - if not union per se

During his reign, he actively tried to avoid any sort of military action against, (or indeed alliances with), the warring catholic and protestant factions in Europe

He eventually even declined to support his daughter and son-in-law, who were deposed because his son-in-law accepted the position of King of Bohemia - James was reluctant to intervene in any event, though he did cost the plan to send an army, but then decided that he could not afford it

However, James did, (as did many other political leaders in Europe), allow the recruitment of officers and men (and indeed whole regiments) into foreign service, as long as he did not have to pay and also as importantly that it did not upset the Spanish - he was trying to 'do a deal', by marrying his son Charles to Maria Anna of Spain

This 'deal' eventually fell through, leading to the political humiliation of Charles James I died in 1625, having managed to keep Britain out of serious 'trouble', but almost immediately war was declared on France and Spain by Charles I (still feeling humiliated)

As a result, the first 'British army' was raised, (British in the sense that both English and Scottish regiments took part under 'unified' command); this 'concept' came into being between 1625 and 1628

Its first campaigns were disastrous, mainly due to the local political policies in place, the political choice of poorly qualified commander(s) and cronyism

The second, albeit shortlived, army was raised to support the Swedish cause in the Thirty Years War; most of the soldiers died of plague within a year of start of campaigning

The third army was raised in 1641 to put down the rebellion in Ireland, where again both English and Scottish regiments were raised

Two short years later, the bloody and divisive series of Civil Wars began ...

For an excellently researched and presented study of the British Army during this period, you should read

'The First British Army, 1624 - 1628 - the army of the Duke of Buckingham'

by Lawrence Spring

published by Helion and Company, ISBN 978-1-910777-95-4