Östergötland Cavalry Regiment

The Östergötland Cavalry Regiment (Östgöta kavalleriregemente) was a Swedish Army cavalry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was merged with another unit to form a new regiment in 1791. The regiment's soldiers were recruited from the province of Östergötland.

History
The regiment has its origins in fänikor (companies) raised in Östergötland in the 16th century. In 1619, these units&mdash;along with fänikor from the nearby Jönköping County&mdash;were organised by Gustav II Adolf into Östergötlands storregemente. Sometime between 1623 and 1628, the grand regiment was permanently split into three smaller regiments, of which Östgöta kavalleriregemente was one.

The regiment was officially raised in 1636 although it had existed since the 1620s. Östgöta kavalleriregemente was one of the original 8 Swedish cavalry regiments mentioned in the Swedish constitution of 1634. The regiment's first commander was Hans Rotkirch. It was allotted in 1687.

Östgöta kavalleriregemente was merged with Östgöta infanteriregemente in 1791 to form Livgrenadjärregementet. The reorganisation and renaming to a "life grenadier" title of honour was conducted in regard to the regiment's achievements during Gustav III's Russian War. Östgöta kavalleriregemente was renamed to Livgrenadjärregementets rusthållsdivision and retained some form of semi-independence.

Organisation

 * 1634(?)
 * Livkompaniet
 * Överstelöjtnantens kompani
 * Majorens kompani
 * Vadstena kompani
 * Vifolka kompani
 * Skänninge kompani
 * Västanstångs kompani
 * Tjusts kompani


 * 17??
 * Livkompaniet
 * Tjusts kompani
 * Linköpings kompani
 * Västanstångs kompani
 * Bergslags kompani
 * Vifolka Klosters kompani
 * Skänninge kompani
 * Vadstena kompani