The 85ème de Ligne is a re-enactment unit, recreating a French infantry regiment of Napoleon's Grande Armée that traces its roots back to 1690.

Our unit recreates the period between 1812 and 1815, by which time the 85ème were classed as a veteran regiment, serving in the Premier Corps of the Grande Armée under the Iron Marshal Louis Nicholas Davout.

We are a new reenactment regiment, but the core of our members have come from one of the oldest reenactment regiments in Europe. This experiance enables us to recreate the battlefield tactics of the period changing from column into line, into square and back again.

There are five parts to the regiment that you can join, as explained on the right.

Le 85ème Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (recréé)

On this day in history:

 

Within the 85ème de Ligne, there are ample opportunities for roles and functions. We are not a battle re-enactment unit, but a living history unit. This means that we focus on recreating the everyday life of soldiers and women in the napoleonic era, rather than just reconstructing battlefield tactics.

Of course, these tactics, and the drill required for them, will form a large part of our camplife - as it did in that period. However, we also try and relive other aspects of their daily live, like cooking, maintenance of clothes and equipment, period games and songs, medical practice of the period etc...

In the field, there are four different roles one could take up:

The Line (1ère Fusilier Compagnie, 1er Bataillon)

Becoming a soldier. You will become part of the 1ère Compagnie of the 1er Bataillon. The main focus will be the military life, with drill, arms, uniform and equipment maintenance, but there will be plenty of time for the other aspects of a fusilier's everyday life. When you become good at this, there are plenty of responsabilities to pick up, and there is always the chance of promotion...

Batterie des Tambours 

Becoming a drummer or fifer. Most of your time will be shared with the soldiers and NCOs of your compagnie, but you will spend a good deal of your time in the École du tambour (literally: Drummer's school) getting to know the various songs and batteries (drum calls) of the period - that will help structure your compagnie's everyday life, and will help them to perform the manoeuvres on the battlefield by relaying the orders from the officers and NCOs.

Détachment du Service de Santé (3ème Compagnie des Infirmiers)

Becoming an infirmier. Infirmiers were the medical orderlies of the era. Again, most of your time will be spent with the other soldiers and NCOs, but you will also be taught authentic first aid methods and will become familiar with medical practice and medicin from the period - perhaps even get the chance to perform battlefield operations or help set up a field hospital! You will be part of the 3ème Compagnie des Infirmiers of the Service de Santé.

Camp followers (Blanchisseusses, enfants de troupe, etc...)

Become a civilian camp follower in the regiment: cantinier or cantinière, blanchisseusse (wash women), vivandiers and vivandières, enfants de troupe, etc... Camp followers are a highly valued side to our regiment, and there are various roles to be filled. They were often wives and children of the soldats and NCOs, and would perform many of the daily chores for their men (cooking, washing, ...). Vivandiers et vivandièrs were businessmen and women, selling drink, tobacco, candles, buttons, vinegar, etc. to the troops. Enfants de troupe were children under 16 of the men and women of the regiment, and as they were too young to take the field, they would still get acquainted to military life.

All these roles and functions are in principle open to anyone that is suitable for them and we do allow women to become soldiers in the ranks, as well as camp followers. Do however keep in mind that there are legal age limits for people particpating in battle re-enactments.

Research department

Off the field we also have a research department. These guys do not take the field with us, but do lots of studying and research, so that our unit looks even better, and our gear is as authentic as possible.

 

If you are interested in joining us, please contact someone in your area - you can find their addresses on the contacts page.