Introduction
In the latter part of the 18th Century, the
Archbishop of Hoegaarden became keep to expand trade beyond the narrow limits
of Europe and reduce the reliance of the country on local trade which was increasing
effected by war.
As Hoegaarden’s main export was of course Bier this limited
the resources to trade with somewhat, but the Archbishop was a man of singular
vision and insight. Having heard of the trade in Pale Ale to India and Russia,
it was decided that Hoegaarden would enter the trade, supplying an export
version of its famous brew which would be perfectly suited to refreshing
European throats in the subcontinent.
The Hoegaarden
Staat Bedrijf Corporatie
(Hoegaarden State Business Corporation) was subsequently founded.
Within months barrels of witte bier were on their way to
thirsty colonies in the Caribbean, Americas and Indies.
Due to the popular it of the product it became necessary to protect the
precious cargo until such time as it was fully delivered to its end location
and the HSBC were granted the right to form small forces of marines to serve
aboard ships carrying their wares. Indeed it soon found that when served in its traditional style with a slice of lemon, that cases of scurvy began to reduce on long voyages.
HSBC Maritime Forces.
Each of the ships commissioned to carry HSBC products was
given a contingent of 60 Marines to protect it and its valuable cargo. Further
companies were formed to guard the barges and warehouses of the Corporatie
around the globe. At its peak the HSBC
had several thousand European soldiers and twice that number of native soldiers
serving under its colours.
Hoegarden
Staat Bedrif Corporatie Flag
Maan’s Blaus.
The Marines were given uniforms in State colours of Blue and
Yellow rather than the white of the infantry because it was felt the Blue was
more appropriate for a naval force. The
first Colonel of the HSBC Marines was Jacob Maan and the troops were
affectionately known as Maan’s Blaus. Maan, would become famous for after his
retirement from service when he opened a brewery in the the American colonies
which took the name of his men.
Native Troops
It quickly became clear that European Troops served best at
sea and that Native soldiers would be best deployed to guard warehouses in
country where their natural immunity to disease and ability to reside in the
tropical climate made them better suited to their post. In the Americas the native men were known as
Peons, borrowing form the Spanish, whilst in the East they were known as
Sepoys. Native troops not only guarded the depots but occasionally travelled
with deliveries of Bier to inland locations and in India where distances were longer some men were given
mounts. On the subcontinent bandits were a concern. Over time these groups became more numerous and better organised prompting some concern that another hand was directing them, a local prince or disaffected ruler seeking to stir up the population against the foreigner.
