Heraldry of the Spanish Cavalry.
Posted: 06 Dec 2012, 18:45
The basic outline of Spanish Cavalry Heraldry is a shield crowned by a Royal Crown and placed on two crossed lances, with a Motto below the Shield, in some instances a Battle Cry is placed on a scroll above the Shield. To the Arms the various regimental decorations can also be added.
Cavalry/Reconnaissance Group "Reyes Catolicos" II of the Legion. The Design includes the symbols of the "Catholic Kings" St. Ferdinand and Sta. Isabella, which was used on the Standards of the various Cavalry units of the Spanish Foreign Legion.
The Arms of the Cavalry Academy in Valladolid is Azure the monogram AC Argent.
The Light Armoured Cavalry Regiment "Santiago" No 1. The Regiment was raised on 15 January 1703 and is today based at the San Isidro Barracks in Valladolid.
Argent a Santiago Cross Gules.
Motto: Pes meus Stettit in directa.
Spanish Cavalry Regiments consist of a number of Groups equaling a Batallion. They inherit the traditions of disbanded Cavalry Units and use their Arms.
Group I/1 (I Group of Cav.Reg. 1) "Husares de la Princesa" (Hussars of the Princess).
Azure a Cross of Malta Argent botonny Or charged in the middle with a Bezant Or charged with a monogram Sable, on the Arms of the Cross inscriptions Sable, the Cross is surmounting a wreath Vert.
Group II/1 "Lanceros de Extremadura" (Extremadura Lancers).
Azure a escallop Argent charged with a Cross of Santiago Gules.
Armoured Cavalry Regiment "Montesa" No 3. Raised on 10 February 1706 as the Cavalry Regiment "Galindo". Today it is based in the Spanish North African enclave Ceuta.
Argent a Cross flory Sable charged with a Greek Cross Gules.
Motto: In hoc signo vinces = In this sign conquer.
The Arms show the Cross of the Order of Montesa, which has given its name to the Regiment.
I have no information about the Groups of this Regiment.
Armoured Cavalry Regiment "Pavia" No 4. Raised in Milan on 1 May 1684 as the Scheldon Dragoons. Today based at Zaragoza.
Argent a Pillar Argent with top and base Or, between four ? Or resting on Clouds Azure and joined by a Saltire Azure.
Motto: Inmobilis tecum hostes debelamus.
Group I/4 "Cazadores de Maria Cristina" (Horse Rifles of [Queen] Maria Cristina).
Azure a double headed Eagle Sable crowned Or hand holding in dexter claw a sceptre and sword and in the sinster an orb all Or, the breast of the Eagle is charged with a Shield parted by a pale Gules charged with a fess Argent, dexter side Or a Crowned lion rampant Gules and sinister side Or a bend Gules charged with three alerions Argent, this enscutcheon surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
The Arms symbolise that Maria Cristina (1858-1929) was an Archduchess of Austria before marrying Alfonso XII and becoming Queen of Spain.
Group II/4 "Ligeros de León" (Light Cavalry of León).
Gules St Mary Or standing on a cloud Azure fimbriated and charged with a crescent Argent and two figures Or.
Motto: ?
Mary Immaculate has since 1892 been the Patron of the Regiment.
Cavalry/Reconnaissance Group "Reyes Catolicos" II of the Legion. The Design includes the symbols of the "Catholic Kings" St. Ferdinand and Sta. Isabella, which was used on the Standards of the various Cavalry units of the Spanish Foreign Legion.
The Arms of the Cavalry Academy in Valladolid is Azure the monogram AC Argent.
The Light Armoured Cavalry Regiment "Santiago" No 1. The Regiment was raised on 15 January 1703 and is today based at the San Isidro Barracks in Valladolid.
Argent a Santiago Cross Gules.
Motto: Pes meus Stettit in directa.
Spanish Cavalry Regiments consist of a number of Groups equaling a Batallion. They inherit the traditions of disbanded Cavalry Units and use their Arms.
Group I/1 (I Group of Cav.Reg. 1) "Husares de la Princesa" (Hussars of the Princess).
Azure a Cross of Malta Argent botonny Or charged in the middle with a Bezant Or charged with a monogram Sable, on the Arms of the Cross inscriptions Sable, the Cross is surmounting a wreath Vert.
Group II/1 "Lanceros de Extremadura" (Extremadura Lancers).
Azure a escallop Argent charged with a Cross of Santiago Gules.
Armoured Cavalry Regiment "Montesa" No 3. Raised on 10 February 1706 as the Cavalry Regiment "Galindo". Today it is based in the Spanish North African enclave Ceuta.
Argent a Cross flory Sable charged with a Greek Cross Gules.
Motto: In hoc signo vinces = In this sign conquer.
The Arms show the Cross of the Order of Montesa, which has given its name to the Regiment.
I have no information about the Groups of this Regiment.
Armoured Cavalry Regiment "Pavia" No 4. Raised in Milan on 1 May 1684 as the Scheldon Dragoons. Today based at Zaragoza.
Argent a Pillar Argent with top and base Or, between four ? Or resting on Clouds Azure and joined by a Saltire Azure.
Motto: Inmobilis tecum hostes debelamus.
Group I/4 "Cazadores de Maria Cristina" (Horse Rifles of [Queen] Maria Cristina).
Azure a double headed Eagle Sable crowned Or hand holding in dexter claw a sceptre and sword and in the sinster an orb all Or, the breast of the Eagle is charged with a Shield parted by a pale Gules charged with a fess Argent, dexter side Or a Crowned lion rampant Gules and sinister side Or a bend Gules charged with three alerions Argent, this enscutcheon surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
The Arms symbolise that Maria Cristina (1858-1929) was an Archduchess of Austria before marrying Alfonso XII and becoming Queen of Spain.
Group II/4 "Ligeros de León" (Light Cavalry of León).
Gules St Mary Or standing on a cloud Azure fimbriated and charged with a crescent Argent and two figures Or.
Motto: ?
Mary Immaculate has since 1892 been the Patron of the Regiment.