This chapter examines how Britain's regular army was raised in the eighteenth century, surveying both why and how officers and men came to be in its ranks. There will be details about their training, weapons and equipment, uniforms and conditions of service. Finally their peacetime employment will be explored.

The infantry of the British army was made up of regiments/battalions (the terms are interchangeable in this period). Each was comprised of thirteen companies, including a grenadier company, made up of the regiment's best men. The regiment was commanded by a colonel, then there would be a lieutenant colonel and a major. Each would also be the captain of one of the companies. The other companies would be led by a captain. Beneath the captain was a lieutenant and then an ensign (in a cavalry unit this most junior of officers was titled a cornet). Cavalry was divided into horse and dragoons (originally mounted infantry in the Civil Wars), but in practice there was little difference between the two arms. Regiments were formed into squadrons and troops. There were also the regiments of guards (both horse and foot), the monarch's household troops, often stationed in and about London, and the artillery corps, the most recently recognized branch of the army, formed officially as the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1716.