NICKNAMES.--"The Black Horse" or "The Blacks" (from its facings). "Ligoniers" (from its Colonel's name, 1720-49). "Straw-boots" (from wearing wisps of straw to keep the legs dry when engaged in quelling agricultural riots in the south of England, _tempus_ George II.). "The Virgin Mary's Body-Guard" (in the reign of George II. the regiment was sent to assist the Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria). NOTES.--In 1688 five regiments of horse raised by James II. marched with the Earl of Devonshire to meet the Princess Anne on her flight from London. On accession she commissioned them for permanent service. They wore cuirasses till 1699, and resumed them from 1707-14. BIBLIOGRAPHY.--_Historical Record of the 7th, or Princess Royal's Regiment of Dragoon Guards._ 1685-1839. Illustrated with plates. [London: Longman. 1839.] The First (Royal) Dragoons. "_Spectemur Agendo._" [Illustration: THE CREST OF ENGLAND.] [Illustration: THE EAGLE (for capture at Waterloo).] TITLES. 1661-83. The Tangiers Horse. 1683-90. The King's Own Royal Regiment of Dragoons. 1690-1751. The Royal Regiment of Dragoons. 1751 (from). The 1st (Royal) Dragoons. PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGNS, BATTLES, &c. * "Honours" on the Colours. 1661-84. Tangiers. 1690. Boyne. 1694-97. Flanders. 1695. Namur. 1705-10. Spain. 1705. Valencia d'Alcantara. 1706. Albuquerque. 1706. Barcelona. 1707. Almanzar. 1710. Almanara. 1710. Saragossa. 1715. Jacobite rising. 1742-45. Flanders *1743. Dettingen. 1745. Fontenoy. 1760-63. Germany. 1760. Warbourg. 1760. Campen. 1762. Wilhelmstahl. 1793-95. Flanders. 1794. Cateau. 1794. Villers-en-Couché. 1794. Tournay. *1809-14. Peninsula. 1811. Fuentes d'Onor. 1812. Salamanca. 1813. Vittoria. 1814. Toulouse. *1815. Waterloo. 1815. Netherlands. *1854. Balaclava. *1855. Sevastopol. 1884. Egypt. 1900. South Africa. UNIFORM.--Scarlet (from 1683). Facings, Dark Blue (from 1683). Helmet-plume, Black. REGIMENTAL BADGE.--The "Crest of England" within the Garter, circumscribed by "_Spectemur agendo_" and surmounted by a crown (Hanoverian). Also "an Eagle," in commemoration of the capture of the Eagle of the 105th French Regiment at Waterloo. NICKNAME.--"The Bird-catchers" (also borne by The Second Dragoons and The Royal Irish Fusiliers). NOTES.--Originating in the Troops of Horse engaged in the defence of Tangiers from 1662 to 1684, the First Royal Dragoons have since figured in nearly every campaign with conspicuous bravery. Among its captured standards are, one from the Moors in 1664, that of the "Mousquetaires Noirs" at the battle of Dettingen, and a French Eagle (see above) at the battle of Waterloo. In 1894 the Emperor of Germany was appointed Colonel-in-Chief. BIBLIOGRAPHY.--_Historical Record of the 1st or Royal Regiment of Dragoons._ To 1839. Illustrated with plates. [London: Longmans. 1840.]