Becoming a Water Carrier in our regiment’s Baggage Train is ideal for anyone who wants to take part in the battles but does not want to fight. It is the job of the Water Carriers to supply the thirsty troops with refreshment during a battle. The Water Carriers are a vital part of our displays…
There are fewer sights more impressive on a battlefield than a cannon being fired, with its incredible noise and smoke! Our regiment has its own cannon – The Lady Ann – and serving on its crew can be hard work but tremendous fun. Being a member of a cannon crew is actually an excellent way…
One of the most impressive parts of any large battle are the cavalry. Cavalry troops made up a third of a 17th Century army and were decisive shock troops who would charge at opposing cavalry troops to try and drive them off. The cavalry usually appears at big events but owner riders do sometimes attend…
The sound of war drums can be an incredibly stirring experience, which creates atmosphere on the battlefield and produces a real spectacle for the public. Manchester’s has a very experienced and well-respected band of drummers. You don’t have to be musical to drum and our drummers are always keen to show new people the ropes.…
Firing a musket can be a real thrill and a block of musketeers firing together is one of the most crowd pleasing aspects of a battle. Re-enactment muskets do not fire musketballs, but the gunpowder they use is very real and so firing a musket on the battlefield requires special equipment and training and, by…
Probably the most competitive role on the battlefield, pike is a great de-stresser and is suitable for adults of all genders who like a physical challenge. A pike is an 18-feet long pole made of wood that would have had a metal spike at the end, though for safety reasons ours do not. Pike fighting…
Almost 375 years since the notorious ‘Bolton Massacre’, Roundheads and Cavaliers will again descend on Bolton on 7-8 July for an exciting FREE event featuring thrilling battles and fascinating ‘living history’. Click here for more details… Step into our encampment in the grounds of Bolton School and you’ll step back in time to 1644 – but who will you…
John Callow from the University of Suffolk is the author of a new biography of James Stanley, Earl of Derby, the Royalist officer and Lancastrian magnate who, it was claimed, led the assault on the defences at Bolton in May 1644. John kindly agreed to write for us about Stanley, the so-called ‘King of Mann’, and…
Almost 375 years since the notorious ‘Bolton Massacre’, Roundheads and Cavaliers will again descend on Bolton on 7-8 July for an exciting FREE event featuring thrilling battles and fascinating ‘living history’. Click here for more details… Step into our encampment in the grounds of Bolton School and you’ll step back in time to 1644 – but who will you…
We’re all back home after a brilliant weekend at Newark in Nottinghamshire, battling on the original earthwork defences of the town at the Queen’s Sconce in the blazing hot sun – not even an England game could stop us (though we were very pleased with the score when we got back to camp!). Photos by Andrew…