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Life Guard (Urcea): Difference between revisions
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== History == | == History == | ||
[[File:Hillingford - George II at the Battle of Dettingen.jpg|''Leo IV rallies against the Derians at Montalcinum'' (1780), depicting the events leading up to the formation of the Life Guard.|thumb|left|200px]] | [[File:Hillingford - George II at the Battle of Dettingen.jpg|''Leo IV rallies against the Derians at Montalcinum'' (1780), depicting the events leading up to the formation of the Life Guard.|thumb|left|200px]] | ||
Prior to the [[First Caroline War]], various units had been used in an ad hoc basis to provide protection to the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]] in battle and protect the [[Julian Palace]], almost all of them being units of cavalry. The idea of a dedicated regiment of foot filling such a role was devised in 1746 during the campaign of King Leo IV in western [[Dericania]]. Overlooking siege works of the Derian city of Montalcinum on 18 September of that year, the King and his party of generals were suddenly attacked by a small group of Derian skirmishers that had snuck through the lines. Though the King was unharmed, two senior generals were killed and many of the King's retainers were seriously injured. King Leo IV subsequently formally organized a Life Guard on 1 October 1746 primarily comprised of two cohorts of [[Ionia|Ionian]]s which were readily available to him. The unit served with distinction for the rest of the conflict, not only protecting the King but following him into battle on several occasions. At the Battle of St. John's, the decisive battle of the war, the Life Guard formed a rear detachment protecting the King and baggage when it was attacked by the [[Holy Levantine Empire|Imperial Army]] in a flanking move. The approximately one thousand Life Guards held off a flanking force of five thousand Derians, mixed infantry and cavalry, for over two hours until regular forces from the rest of the Army relieved them. Following the battle, a grateful King Leo IV elevated them to the position of senior regiment of the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal Army]]. | Prior to the [[First Caroline War]], various units had been used in an ad hoc basis to provide protection to the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]] in battle and protect the [[Julian Palace]], almost all of them being units of cavalry. The idea of a dedicated regiment of foot filling such a role was devised in 1746 during the campaign of King Leo IV in western [[Dericania]]. Overlooking siege works of the Derian city of Montalcinum on 18 September of that year, the King and his party of generals were suddenly attacked by a small group of Derian skirmishers that had snuck through the lines. Though the King was unharmed, two senior generals were killed and many of the King's retainers were seriously injured. King Leo IV subsequently formally organized a Life Guard on 1 October 1746 primarily comprised of two cohorts of [[Ionia|Ionian]]s which were readily available to him. The necessity of a mostly infantry-based guard force was the result of the changes in warfare in the preceding century, as the King and his generals no longer lead on horseback but instead observed battles and campaigns from stationary positions behind the front, and accordingly required elite stationary guard units to protect the King and headquarters. The unit served with distinction for the rest of the conflict, not only protecting the King but following him into battle on several occasions. At the Battle of St. John's, the decisive battle of the war, the Life Guard formed a rear detachment protecting the King and baggage when it was attacked by the [[Holy Levantine Empire|Imperial Army]] in a flanking move. The approximately one thousand Life Guards held off a flanking force of five thousand Derians, mixed infantry and cavalry, for over two hours until regular forces from the rest of the Army relieved them. Following the battle, a grateful King Leo IV elevated them to the position of senior regiment of the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal Army]]. | ||
During the period between the First and [[Second Caroline War]], the newly formed unit gained significant prestige due to its proximity to the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]]. Throughout the 1750s and 1760s, new rules were applied to the unit. Ionian origin was made mandatory due to the longstanding association of [[House de Weluta]] with the region. In [[1784]], it was required that only [[Social class in Urcea|optimate]]s could be members of the Life Guard. Due to their high social rank, this meant the unit became predominantly made up of officers, with the 1795 list of personnel indicating a 3-to-1 ratio of officers to enlisted. Accordingly, within the Life Guard, it was proclaimed that anyone under the rank of Eptéi - the equivalent of a {{wp|Captain}} - would functionally serve in the same capacities and jobs as enlisted, a rule that exists through today. Most of the rules that govern membership and order of the Life Guard are still in effect today, although due to [[Urcea]]'s engagements abroad, [[Crona]] tours of duty are now essentially a prerequisite to join the Life Guard and distinctions of social class have been abolished. | During the period between the First and [[Second Caroline War]], the newly formed unit gained significant prestige due to its proximity to the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]]. Throughout the 1750s and 1760s, new rules were applied to the unit. Ionian origin was made mandatory due to the longstanding association of [[House de Weluta]] with the region. In [[1784]], it was required that only [[Social class in Urcea|optimate]]s could be members of the Life Guard. Due to their high social rank, this meant the unit became predominantly made up of officers, with the 1795 list of personnel indicating a 3-to-1 ratio of officers to enlisted. Accordingly, within the Life Guard, it was proclaimed that anyone under the rank of Eptéi - the equivalent of a {{wp|Captain}} - would functionally serve in the same capacities and jobs as enlisted, a rule that exists through today. Most of the rules that govern membership and order of the Life Guard are still in effect today, although due to [[Urcea]]'s engagements abroad, [[Crona]] tours of duty are now essentially a prerequisite to join the Life Guard and distinctions of social class have been abolished. | ||