The Blue Guard is a regiment of elite infantry in Empire: Total War. They are available with the Elite Units of the West DLC to the United Provinces.
Description[]
The Blue Guards are the elite bodyguard unit that serves the rulers of the Netherlands.
All royal guards think of themselves as the elite of their national armies. Sometimes, they are court regiments where a martial appearance is valued more than real soldiering. The Blue Guards, however, have a tradition of fighting, and can shame any line regiment with their discipline and skill. This does not make them popular as they are, of course, all gentlemen and superior to any mere common infantry.
Historically, the Blue Guards began as the personal bodyguard to Protestant William of Orange (later William III of England and Scotland). They followed him as he drove out the Catholic King James II after the “Glorious Revolution” of 1688. They were at the forefront of the attack during the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690, wading across the river to fall upon James’ line. With William’s claim to the throne secure after James’ defeat, the Blue Guards remained his personal bodyguards until his death in 1702: William could not bring himself to really trust Englishmen. After his death the Blue Guards returned to the Netherlands, and resumed duties there, playing a key role in the War of Spanish Succession.
General Information[]
The Blue Guard is the best infantry the United Province has in its roster. It is also one of the best elite infantry units in the game and very expensive to recruit and maintain.