1801 His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent 275 1820 George Marquis of Huntly 279 1834 Thomas Lord Lynedoch 280 1843 Sir George Murray, G.C.B. 285 1846 Sir James Kempt, G.C.B. 288 PLATES. Colours of the Regiment, to precede Page 1 Colonel Sir Robert Douglas, at the Battle of Steenkirk, to face 83 Uniform in 1838, to face 261 [Illustration: Colours of the 1st, or Royal Regiment of Foot. To face page 1.] HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT. [Sidenote: 882] THE ROYAL REGIMENT of FOOT is the representative of a body of gallant Scots, formerly in the service of the celebrated GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS, King of Sweden; and of another body of Scots, many years in the service of the Kings of France; and it claims an origin anterior to that of any other corps in the British army; but, although a laborious research has been made, and _much_ information procured, yet, owing to the little attention which was paid to the history of military bodies previously to the last century, _all_ the circumstances connected with its origin have not been ascertained. Its first Colonel was SIR JOHN HEPBURN, a distinguished officer, well known in Europe during the early part of the seventeenth century; but it appears to have existed some time as independent companies before it was constituted a regiment. Tradition has connected its early services with the ancient Scots Guards at the French court; and, in order that the claims of the ROYAL REGIMENT to antiquity may be clearly understood, a brief statement of the origin and services of the Scots Guards is introduced into this record. The Scots have been celebrated for deeds of arms for many centuries, and they have been described by historians as a hardy, valiant, and generous people. Led by a native ardour for military fame, many Scotsmen have quitted their own country, and, like the daring adventurers of the remote ages, they have sought renown in foreign lands, where they have acquired celebrity for martial achievements, long before the practice of forming military bodies into regiments existed. It is recorded in history, that as early as the year 882, Charles III., King of France, had twenty-four armed Scots, in whose fidelity and valour he reposed confidence, to attend his person as a guard.[6] [Sidenote: 1254]