Slitherine

What was the function of these in the English Civil War?

Thanks

Of Foot or of Horse?

Both

I am no expert on ECW tactics (as my result in the Southern League shows) but my understanding is that a forlorn hope of Foot was put forwards of the line in some sort of cover. It was usually only a couple of companies or so. It was intended to break up the enemy advance in an era where linear tactics was king, so giving the defender better odds as no one point on the lines faced a concerted attack. I remember reading about one having a moderate success at Newbury but can't actually remember it being worth the muskets lost in so doing. A forlorn hope of Horse tended to have a different function. It might only be a troop or 2 strong (say 60 men all told). It was generally placed in front of an advance upon a position where the enemy disposition was unknown and was used to uncover the enemy position when a way had to be forced. It was very rarely used. I can only remember reading about one at the relief of the Siege of Pontefract.