You always know it’s a great event when the watchword afterwards is “what happens at Cheriton…..stays at Cheriton”!
Taking place near Winchester and organised by Sergeant Major General Henry Tillier’s Regiment of Foote of the Sealed Knot, this rather special event allowed our musketeers to do something they normally don’t get to do – firing in woodlands!
The battle of Cheriton was fought on 29 March 1644, where tactical errors and confused command led to a Royalist defeat, which placed the King on the back foot. It was here, in the farmland and woods of Cheriton that Sir William Waller finally halted the Royalist advance out of the South West. His defeat thwarted Charles plans to advance on London and sparked events that would lead, by July, to moorland just outside of York.
The woods at Cheriton were hotly contested during the original battle as Parliament’s City of London Brigade engaged in “hot fighting” with Royalist commander Sir Ralph Hopton’s musketeers. Our musketeers got to recreate this pivotal fight, thanks to a long march into the woods, where they fired in the dappled shade – it was a really very evocative moment that was made special by the lack of public, meaning members could immerse themselves in the moment (though the heat made it sweaty work)! Meanwhile, our pikemen fought their way to the battlefield along a narrow road with large hedgerows each side.
As fun as the battle was, it was the evenings that were the highlight – including a several-hours-long chat about onions with many beers being drunk, leading to a certain commanding officer composing a limerick about a five-legged rat while sat on a toilet!
Cheriton was one of those musters that really makes our hobby special – good hard battles followed by laughs aplenty with the best people you’ll ever meet! And we can’t wait to do it again!
Photos by Melita Green
Want to give it a go? Drop us a message and take part for as little as £10, with your kit provided! This hobby has something for everyone and this summer you could:
💥 Fire a cannon!
⚔️ Fire a musket and go into hand-to-hand!
🥁 Be a drummer and lead the regiment!
𓐬 Or block in with our pikeman to take on the enemy!
If that’s not your thing then join our living history, where you can learn traditional skills 🔨🪡🍳
Visit our join up page or email earlofmanchesterspr@gmail.com and discover a brand new hobby you’ll love!