'Marylebone Volunteer', 'Prime & Load 5th priming motion', 1798 (c)

Aquatint by and after Thomas Rowlandson, from a volume of 86 aquatints entitled, 'Loyal Volunteers of London & Environs', published by R Ackermann, 101 Strand, London, 1 August 1798.

Plate 'No. 36' of the Infantry section. A member of the Marylebone Volunteers demonstrates the prime and load, 5th priming motion (Front Rank).

Inscribed drill instruction, 'When the Pan is filled the hand is placed on the hammer & the Pan quickly shut keeping the Cartridge between the forefinger & thumb'.

Like their counterparts in the Militia and Yeomanry, the Volunteers (raised in 1794), were formed to defend Britain from invasion during the wars with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France. However, their main role was to maintain internal order during an era of political and social unrest.