The regiment arrived in England from Tangier in February, 1684, and was placed in garrison at Portsmouth, where it remained upwards of twelve months; and its establishment was reduced from sixteen to twelve companies.
In the autumn of this year His Majesty conferred upon the regiment the title of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York and Albany's Regiment. What its distinguishing colour, or livery (which is now called facing), was on its formation, has not been ascertained; but in October of this year it was YELLOW. This appears to have been a favourite colour of the Duke of York, (afterwards James II.) as his troop of life guards had yellow horse furniture, belts covered with yellow velvet, yellow ribands on the horses' heads and tails, and also yellow ribands in the men's hats; and his marine regiment, called the Admiral's Regiment, was clothed in yellow.
The colours of the regiment were of yellow silk, with the red cross of St. George bordered with white; the rays of the sun issuing from each angle of the cross, or; and Her Royal Highness's cypher in the centre.
1685
On the 6th of February, 1685, King Charles II. died, and was succeeded by his brother, James Duke of York; and the Duchess of York having become Queen of England, this regiment was styled the Queen's Regiment of Foot: the first Tangier regiment had previously been styled the Queen's, and was now designated the Queen Dowager's regiment.
The much dreaded event—the accession of a papist to the throne—had now occurred; but the minds of the people were partially set at ease by the King's declaration of his determination to maintain the protestant religion as by law established. This did not, however, prevent several rash adventurers from urging James Duke of Monmouth, to make an attempt to gain the throne. This nobleman was the illegitimate son of the late king,—was of prepossessing appearance and address,—a steady advocate for the protestant religion,—had gained a reputation for military virtues,—and had become a favourite with the people. Being urged to this enterprise by his desperate associates, he raised the standard of rebellion in the west of England in June, 1685; and, having been joined by a number of miners and other persons, proclaimed himself king.
The Queen's Regiment of Foot was reposing in quarters at Portsmouth and performing the duties of the garrison, when the news of Monmouth's rebellion produced an electric sensation throughout the country. The regular army was augmented; the militia was called out; and this regiment was ordered to recruit its numbers to one hundred men per company. Soon afterwards five companies, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Charles Churchill, were ordered to march in charge of a train of artillery, consisting of seven field-pieces, to join the army under the command of Lieut.-General the Earl of Feversham, which was assembling to oppose the rebels.
The five companies of the Queen's Regiment having joined the other forces with the artillery, the army advanced to the village of Weston, and the infantry encamped on Sedgemoor, the two Tangier regiments taking the left of the line. The rebel army lay at Bridgewater, and during the night of the 5th of July the Duke of Monmouth advanced with the view of surprising the King's troops in their camp; but his approach was discovered, and the camp was alarmed by the cavalry out-guards. The rebels, however, rushed forward, and a fierce conflict of musketry ensued in the dark. The first attack was made against the royals on the right; and extending along the front to the left, the companies of the Queen's Regiment became sharply engaged, and "performed good service." Soon after day-break the King's cavalry charged the flanks of the rebel army and put it into confusion. An entire rout ensued, and the insurgents were pursued across the moor and adjoining fields with great slaughter; many were taken prisoners; and their leader, the Duke of Monmouth, was captured two days afterwards near Ringwood, in Hampshire, and was removed to London, and beheaded.
After the suppression of the rebellion, the five companies of the Queen's Regiment returned to Portsmouth: their conduct was highly approved by his Majesty, and soon afterwards the regiment was presented with a set of new colours—one to each company; and it continued to display TWELVE COLOURS for several years from that period. Two of the new colours were presented by the Queen, and the other ten by his Majesty: of the expense of the former no account has been met with; but some idea may be formed of the splendid appearance of these colours, from the fact that the ten presented by the King cost upwards of twenty pounds each.[9] A copy of the bill, amounting to £206 5s. 6d., is preserved in the official records in the War Office. A copy of the royal warrant, dated 21st of August, 1686, for the payment of this sum, is inserted below.[10]