BRITISH REGIMENTS AT TICONDEROGA, 1759.
1st.
1751-1812, The 1st, or The Royal Regiment of Foot, also the “Royals.”
1881 (from) The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).
Nickname—“Pontius Pilate’s Body-Guard.” It is a legend of the Regiment that the Romans carried off a number of wild, war-like Highlanders as prisoners after their conquest of Britain, and these men and their descendants became soldiers of the Roman Empire and as such they guarded the tomb of Our Saviour after the crucifixion. This Scottish company, for it only consisted of one hundred men under a centurion, was kept distinct from the Roman Army proper. At the time of the crucifixion they were called Pontius Pilate’s Scots Guards, and their descendants were the nucleus of the First Royal Scots in later years.
Notes.—The oldest Regiment of Foot in the British Army. Traditionally regarded as the ancient body-guard of the Scottish kings, this famous corps was in the service of Sweden, as “Hepburn’s Regiment,” from 1625 to 1633; and in that of France from 1633 to 1678, when (under Dumbarton) it came to England. It received its title in 1684 in recognition of the capture of a Colour from the Moors at Tangier. At Sedgemoor (1685) it also captured the Duke of Monmouth’s Standard.
17th.
1751-82, The 17th Regiment of Foot. Also “Forbes.”
1881 (from) “The Leicestershire Regiment.”