A group of mounted and dismounted officers and men of the Yorkshire Yeomanry, 1820 (c)

Oil on board, artist unknown, 1820 (c).

The volunteer Yeomanry units were originally formed in the 1790s as a response to the invasion threat from Revolutionary France. However, they were also used to support the civil authority to put down political and social disturbances. This continued until the mid-19th century when police forces took over this role. The yeomanry then concentrated on local defence. Members of the yeomanry were not obliged to serve overseas without their individual consent.