New Colors for the Garde du Corps

By longstanding tradition dating back to Ludwig V's great grandfather, the colours of the Garde du Corps are used to wrap the body of the Margrave for burial. Johannes Ludwig II was killed on campaign against the Swedes in 1676. The soldiers of the Garde du Corps wrapped his body in their colours and returned him to his resting place in the cathedral of Odinburg.

This Christmas, after a suitable period of mourning for his father, the young Margrave Ludwig V presented to the Garde du Corps a new Colour bearing his arms. The soldiers in return presented their sovereign a fine stallion as befitting his dignity.

The Young Margrave's Forces-Part 1 The Horse

Ludwig V upon attaining his majority will be able to call upon a formidable body of horsemen.

Comprised of a single squadron the Garde du Corps is responsible with protecting Ludwig's person just as they have done for his forebears since 1620. The 180 men are the swiftest riders and best swordsmen in the realm. Unlike the rest of the army, the Garde du Corps is directly funded by the Margrave's estate therefore all of its officers are firmly in Ludwig's camp and will surely lead the struggle to preserve his dignity in any future crisis.

The Inhaber, Heinz von Richter is a gallant soldier and fanatically devoted to young Ludwig's service. Richter has long served both the Margrave's father and grandfather. He won high praise from none other than the Duke of Marlborough for his service in the the fighting in Flanders.


Two dragoon regiments make up the balance of the Ost-Pommern horse. The first, the Klink Dragoons were raised in 1625. Boasting five squadrons, the Klink Dragoons are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Renowned for their charge in 1704 at the Battle of Macho Grande, the Klink Dragoons have brought honor to the Margrave's arms when ever they have taken the field. It is said their coats were first colored red with the blood of their foes.

The Inhaber, Oberst Rudolff Klink is an avid hunter. When he is not present with his regiment he is hunting, boars, bears, stags and the occasional cow on his estate. Herr Klink is one of the aging veterans who have ably served for decades. Although he was highly regarded by Ludwig IV, the Baronness von Schroeder has been trying to force him into retirement with postings far from his estate and arduous duties more befitting a man half his age.


The Second Regiment of Dragoons are relatively new to the Ost-Pommern service having been taken into Ludwig IV's pay at the height of the last war. A number of foreign adventurers have been commissioned or serve as 'gentleman volunteers' in the regiment. Under their new Inhaber the Marquis d'Façade they have affected the style of Horse Grenadiers or Grenadiere zu Pferde. Their new grenadier caps with bear skin trim cost the treasury a fortune and they are surely a mark of the Baroness's favor.

The Marquis seems more interested in court intrigues than in the day to day management of the five squadrons of horse entrusted to his care. His adjutant Leutnant Beck, a hold over from the previous Inhaber sees to the administration of the regiment. Standards of discipline and horsemanship remain high among the ranks but the foreign officers are a law unto themselves and would not likely acquit themselves well if called upon to fight.



Ludwig V wishes to thank David Linienblatt of http://nba-sywtemplates.blogspot.com/ for his tireless efforts to ensure that the soldiers of the Margraviate are so well dressed.

A New Neighbor to the North

Greetings from the Margraviate of Ost-Pommern and the Court of Ludwig V. Ludwig IV "the rotund," having recently been gathered unto the Lord, has passed his mantle on to his 7 year old heir. Daily administration of the realm has devolved upon the regent Baroness Liesel von Schroeder, mistress to the late Ludwig IV. The Baroness it would seem has scant regard for young Ludwig V and intends to hold onto power even after he attains his majority. The Baroness's daughter Katerina has ambitions of her own and is the object of dozens of suitors and a number of scandalous rumors.

The Margraviate of Ost-Pommern is situated on the Baltic coast between Pomerania and East Prussia. The Ost-Pommern army is small but well administered, consisting of four regiments of foot and two of horse. A number of foreign officers serve in the army and the recent intrigues in the court seem to attract even more. Notable among the foreign officers is the noted French architect, rake and adventurer, the Marquis d'Façade. The civil administration has also fallen under the sway of the Baroness's foreigners especially the new Finance Minister, le Comte de Monet. Fops and scoundrels of every stripe have ingratiated themselves with the Baroness and infested the court to the detriment of young Ludwig's fortunes.

Retired General-Leutnant Albert von Krause, loyal servant to the old Margrave has taken the Ludwig V under his tutelage. The native officers of the Army, at least those not trying to bed the Baroness's daughter Katerina, zealously guard the lad. They are constantly on guard against any plot hatched by the Marquis d'Façade and the other foreigners loyal to the Baroness. Young Ludwig is safe for now, but as the heroes who carried his father's standards to victory in the last war pass on, the clique of officers in the Baroness's camp grows stronger.