It is important on the first day of a muster to find out what is arranged for the weekend.

Information may be posted on our campsite notice board which is usually located outside the senior officer's tent/caravan. 

As well as battles, you may be offered an appointment for personal drill and/or weapon training at some point during the weekend with your corporal or sergeant. It is important to keep these appointments as these are especially valuable. 

Regimental Drill training is a common part of any muster and it is especially important for the new recruit to attend these as they introduce the newcomer to all of the battle commands.

You may also find that social events are planned over the weekend by the Regiment including parties and barbecues. 

These days it is often the case that the Sealed Knot involvement is part of a much bigger event.  There is usually some form of entertainment going on in the evenings.  The campsite itself will usually have a large beer tent with live music on one or more nights with a distincly party atmosphere.

Although sociability and enthusiasm are one of the orders of the day, please ensure that your evening acivities DO NOT make you dangerous or unsafe the next day on the battlefield !! 

A trip to town or the local pub is always interesting and can be surreal if it is full of 'Knotters' in kit.

On arrival at the campsite you should get a local briefing pack which will tell you of places of interest to visit.
It should also tell you where you will find a friendly welcome and equally inform you of those places to avoid (some locals get a bit touchy when they're invaded).

When you are out and about you should be aware that you're still representing the Society, behave in a fitting manner and follow the Sealed Knot rules on dress code (no mixing of 17th century and 21st century costume, head covered).

Be aware of standing out when walking alone in a town, occasional jeers can occur from some teenagers. Most people, however,  enjoy seeing so many 'enthusiasts' dressed historically, and will say so !

As a regiment we usually stick together in a particular pub and newcomers will find it best to stick with us !

The regiment has a large number of family groups who bring their children to musters and feel that it is a safe and secure environment. 

Some are old enough to take part in battles (16+), some not. Some children like to dress the part, some do not.

Obviously, young children must not be left unattended and parents taking part in battles must arrange some baby-sitting provision for them. 

Children usually all do seem to enjoy the spectacle of the weekend, however,  and enjoy the weekend camping experience. Many children form lasting friendships with other children in the regiment and look forward to seeing them at musters.

Children are welcomed in the beer-tent, if under supervision but MUST NOT break the legal drinking regulations!

The general principle to remember when acquiring your first equipment is  DON'T BUY ANYTHING WITHOUT GETTING ADVICE FROM A VERY EXPERIENCED MEMBER as the Trader stalls may not always sell suitable kit.

Even well meaning members of some experience can give you the wrong advice and you may have to buy costly replacements. Some of the items you need are from regimental sources but others which are not may need to be of a particular pattern or design.

You will find that some of the outlets offer goods of inferior quality and often of a pattern that is not authentic. We have to have a certain standard for the Regiment in order to provide an accurate portrayal and again we must conform to Sealed Knot regulations on dress.

The main items you will need are set out below.

SOLDIERS COAT/DOUBLET - must be of regimental blue and ordered through the Regimental Quartermaster/ Armourer. NB This may take several months from order to delivery. Approx cost = £40.

 SHIRTS - available from many stalls. Linen shirts should be bought in preference to cotton.  If making your own, borrow an original to copy.  Approx. cost = £15. Newcomers can temporarily utilise any white shirt as it is hidden.

BREECHES - from several traders. Breeches must be of a 'sadd' colour (grey/black)  or regimental blue and not cut excessively full. Approx cost  = £35 

HOSE - socks can be linen or fine cotton and should be grey or grey-blue. Elastic 'school'  garters WILL be required to keep the hose up. Approx cost = £4

BELTS - B elts are ALWAYS worn under the jacket so no special belt is required though a belt of some sort IS REQUIRED or the Breeches will not stay up ! Any old-fashioned plain leather belt is suitable. Approx cost = £8

TIES - are strips of cloth which needed to fasten the legs of the breeches. Many buy brightly coloured bows but these should really be inconspicuous.  Can use any strip of material approx 20cm long tied with a bow. Approx cost = £2

LATCHET SHOES/STARTUPS - there are many styles now available.  Pikemen often prefer "startups" (boots) for the higher protection offered.  While quite expensive, experience shows that the well made shoe/boot lasts a long time.  Approx. cost = £75.  Newcomers can also use (or convert) cheap desert boots (Approx. cost £12). Walking boots/trainers are too modern and not suitable.

 HELMETS AND ARMOUR - English "morions" made to the pattern preferred by the regiment are held by the Regimental Quartermaster/Armourer.  We advocate that you buy these as time has shown that they are as safe and strong as anything else on offer and represent good value at the price. Approx cost = £180

 The same applies to Back and Breast armour sets which come from the same source. Approx. Cost = £180.

OTHER HEADWEAR - traditionally musketeers and others have worn the black felt 'floppy' hat.
 In recent times many have moved away from these, some preferring helmets and others going for blue/grey Monteros ( a blue thick peaked roll-down head-covering cap ). Others prefer a simple knitted woolen 'beanie'.   

Again take advice on what is more appropriate for your role. Approx. Cost = £20 

 Remember, everyone wore hats out of doors in the seventeenth century.

DRUMMERS COATS - A special coat is needed for drummers. Approx. cost £70, although second-hand is sometimes available.

DRUMS - a regimental drum may be available on a long-term loan basis, otherwise a new/second-hand one must be purchased. by drummers. Approx. cost = £145 (new), drumsticks = £12

Musketeers will require other sundries such as Powder flasks (£70), Bandoliers (£70) and in time, of course, their own Musket (£200) and Sword (£70)

NOTE : You CANNOT purchase a Musket without a Shotgun License. (Approx cost £80 for 5 years). This MUST be applied for from the local Police Authority. Contact your local Police station. You will be required to show you have a secure place for storage e.g Gun-rack (£80). This license  may take several months to acquire and costs approx. £80

NOTE : You CANNOT draw powder for a battle without a Black Powder License. This also MUST be applied for from the local Police Authority. This may take several months and should be applied together with the Shotgun license. NB The Blackpowder licence is to ACQUIRE but NOT KEEP and is valid for 1 year (renewable) for no charge.

You CAN borrow a real musket for the day without a license, though you cannot load or fire it.

NOTE : You cannot fire a musket or use a sword on the field until you have passed the appropriate SK tests and have a certificate.

Muskets and swords MUST be of an approved type and a musket officer should be consulted prior to any purchase. It is acceptable to purchase and utilise either MATCHLOCKS or FLINTLOCKS.

Replica SWORDS MUST NOT BE SHARPENED  - so antique swords will not be allowed.!!.

For most people the battles are what the Sealed Knot is about.

The large scale re-enactment's are spectacular just for the size of the armies and for the colour and excitement that brings.

When you first begin, whatever your role, the sights and sounds of a battle may confuse you and you really have to concentrate on orders to follow what is going on. This is why training is so important.

All new members should have seen and read the Members Handbook before taking part and hopefully, the Rules of Engagement. These will give you some of the parameters in which we must operate to ensure the safety of ourselves, our opponents and the public.

There is expert medical help close at hand and everybody should be aware of procedures in the case of an injury.

As long as you keep to the training you have been given and follow the instructions of officers and nco's you will be fine. If at any time you are in doubt, follow the actions of colleagues around you or ask your  corporal or sergeant for guidance.

If at any time you are hurt or are uncomfortable with the actions around you or do not wish to continue - make sure your local sergeant or corporal is aware and they will help and direct you off the field.

Smaller SK events are slightly different in their appeal. They tend to be more relaxed and some people get more enjoyment out of these. It is often the case that only a handful of regimental members will turn up to a small event and you will need to join up with another unit. Smaller events usually have a smaller budget and therefore facilities are often at a minimum and the likes of food traders may not be in attendance.

Regimental events are those where perhaps we have been invited to give a display on our own, or with other units. These vary from Soldiers' camps through to talks to schools and sponsored route marches. Depending on what you wish to put in to your involvement, you may achieve a lot of enjoyment out of these types of events.

Occasionally it may fall on the Regiment to put on a muster or other event.

A lot of hard work is required to make them successful and all help is appreciated.

Major musters can take up to a week in setting up and taking down and this should be viewed as a commitment for the entire Regiment. It is understood, however,  that many may not have the time available to help in this way.

When it is our turn, it should be viewed as an opportunity to put on an event for others to enjoy, in return for those that we have attended and enjoyed when provided for us by others.

GENERAL DRILL

The basic drill movements and commands should be learned by all. Marching in time to drums, keeping in step, wheeling are all basic requirements.

Later, you will learn some of the more complicated drill movements of the period.

All movements should be undertaken in a military fashion and to the best of your ability.

MUSKETEERS - basic training will involve the use of a borrowed or a dummy musket.

You should apply for and attain your Amended Firearms and Shotgun Licences as soon as possible
 to allow you to fire a musket and to work towards purchasing your own.

As well as training in handling a firearm, you will be required to learn how to safely handle and use black powder.

Ultimately when you are sufficiently competent you will have to take a test in front of a Musket Inspectorate member in order to be a qualified firing musketeer who can draw powder for battles.

PIKEMEN - you will be required to learn all the basics and become proficient in handling your pike.

Additionally there are other manoeuvres and procedures vital to the current method of close quarters fighting we use.

Unlike musketeering these are probably best practised at musters when a larger division should be available.

Pike fighting is physically demanding and tiring but ultimately great fun and a healthy competition exists between regiments.  We have always played 'fair but hard' and that principle still applies.
 It is often the case that new members will start in the Pike division until they have gained more experience and knowledge of the Sealed Knot. 

DRUMMERS - No special musical ability is required. You will quickly learn the limited number of tunes and calls (orders) - examples of which can be found on this website. Drummers are classed as 'combatants' but almost never get hurt on the battlefield.

NOTE : Drumming on long marches can be very tiring and stamina is required.

Portrayals of 17th century camp life occur at many Sealed Knot events and if you are able to acquire and demonstrate a period skill or like role playing then this may be for you. 

Living History is an increasingly important part of the Sealed Knot's overall performance and the displays can offer variety and alternative enjoyment for those with imagination and theatrical talent. For some, these displays offer more enjoyment than military activity.

In our regiment a Living History role is usually an addition to your military role.