Regiment of French Guards, France 1563

The French Guards were an infantry regiment created by Charles IX, forming part of the King’s Military Household from 1563 to 1789. 

At its height, the regiment consisted of 30 companies, each of 300 men. In 1789, 4000 men were deployed in six battalions, each formed by a company of grenadiers and four companies of fusiliers.

 In the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy the French Guards formed a brigade jointly with the Swiss Guard.