|
|
What do we do? |
|
Musketeers : The larger part of the regiment
consisted of musketeers. Their main weapon was a musket,
usually a matchlock, but they also carried a sword. The musket
was a muzzle loading weapon which relied on a charge of gun
powder ignited by a length of cord or 'match' soaked in
saltpetre. Numerous commands were required to prepare and fire
it, so the rate of fire was fairly slow and largely
ineffective unless fired en masse. Each man carried his own
supply of powder in a dozen small flasks attached to a
bandolier - a belt slung across his torso. A stray spark
could, and indeed did, ignite and explode the flasks,
resulting in serious injury. Damp powder rendered the musket
useless except as a close combat weapon when it could be used
as a club.
|
 |
 |
Pikemen :The pikeman was armed
with a 16-foot long ash pole known as a pike and a basic
sword called a tuck. The pike was most effective when used to
keep the cavalry at bay whilst the musketeers reloaded. The
sword was best for close quarter combat. The pikemen wore
armour comprising of back and breast plates, gorget to protect
the throat and tassets, designed to protect their thighs but
these were often discarded on the march. They wore a helmet of
which the morion was the most popular style. Wealthier
soldiers, particularly men of the London trained bands, would
wear a buff coat of thick leather between their coat and
armour to give greater protection in battle. The pikemen,
therefore, were the tallest and strongest
recruits |
|
Drummers/Musicians :
Musicians
(drummers and fifers) are important for
spectacle and for communication - the original function of
drumming during the Civil War. Drumming is hard but
rewarding (you drum on marches, drills and throughout the battles).
Although musicians are very much part of the
battle scene, they are generally treated as non-combatants. Drummers do
not need to be "musical", but talent and experience
is required for fifing, which is always combined with another
role - e.g. drummer or musketeer. Drummers and Fifers
had their coats provided by the Colonel, often a different
colour and style, with collars decorated with lace.
|  |
 |
Pioneers & Living History :
While the above are the principal "fighting" roles, individuals
are welcome to take on high-profile but non-combatant
roles. These can be on the side of the
battlefield - e.g. water-carriers, priest, surgeon; or closer
to and inter-active with the crowd as wounded veterans,
jugglers, beggars, etc..
Although taking on
Male costume, Pioneers are non-combatants who go
on to the field at the rear of the regiment and help with
the task of providing water to the combatants.
There is an increasing interest in "Living
History", where members try to portray 17th century life as
closely as possible.
|
|
|
