Meet The Regiment

Sir Thomas Glemham's Regiment of Foote are part of PALATINE'S TERTIO of the Royalist Army. Palatine's are made up of Prince Rupert's Blew Regiment, The Earl of Northampton's Regiment of Foote, Earl Rivers' Regiment of Foote and Sir Henry Vaughan's Company. Glemham's are in 2 Battalia, along with Northampton's, Rivers' and Vaughan's, also known as SIR HENRI B'STARD'S BATTALIA.

Join us in this glorious and righteous cause, as Sir Thomas Glemham's Regiment of The Sealed Knot Society fight for His Majesty King Charles, King of England, Scotland, Ireland and France by the Grace of God and Ireland Defender of the Faith!

Sir Thomas Glemham's regiment are based in and around York, and the north east of England, and we travel this fair land for the one true King seeking the destruction of the forces of the foul Parliamentarians!

A pox on Parliament!

Sir Thomas Glemham's Regiment of Foote, as part of the Sealed Knot, recreate life in England during the English Civil War. Battles and skirmishes, soldiers' camps and tradesmen of the time are all represented by members. We are a Royalist regiment and proud of it - God Save The King!

Colours

One of the Standards of Sir Thomas Glemham's Regiment of Foote can be seen flying at all skirmishes and battles attended by the regiment, in the capable hands of our ensign or standard bearer. The regimental colours are red, the CO's (commanding officer's) colours bear the cross of St George on a red background, and our major's colours have the cross of St George along with a black sunbeam.

Uniforms

Although uniforms were pretty much unheard of during the Civil War until Cromwell's New Model Army, Glemham's have adopted grey soldiers coats, black breeches and gray hose.

Ranking Officers

Roles within the Sealed Knot

Military

Both men and women can play all military roles, although only people over the age of 16 can go on the battlefield. However, there is an active apprentices section that often put on pre-battle displays, having drilled in a similar fashion to the adults. Some roles require the production of certain licenses, and a Sealed Knot test must be passed first.

Officers:

Ensign/Standard Bearer:

Drummers: Drummers play a special part in the regiment, as they give signals and orders during a battle when shouts cannot be heard. They also provided a beat for us to march to.

Pikeman: Armed with a 16ft pole called a pike and protected by a steel helmet and 'back and breast' armour, the pike form in to blocks. Pikemen are a trained unit, who fight against other pike blocks and counter cavalry charges. Being a pikeman is one of the most physcially demanding but exhilarating roles in re-enactment. Pikes are supplied by the regiment, helmets can be loaned out initially but you will probably want to get your own that fits you once you decide. Armour is something to considering in the long term, as not everyone is comfortable wearing it.

Musket: Musketeers are the mobile fire power of the regiment using matchlock muskets and swords on the battlefield. The musketeers form in to blocks and fire together to create a lethal volley of lead, although of course we don't live fire! To become a musketeer, you will also need a shotgun certificate and a black powder licence, and help and guidance with gaining these will be provided by your regiment. It is worth bearing in mind that you will need to buy your own musket, and be able to store it to the satisfaction of your local police force. At the back of our musket blocks you will usually see somebody with no musket or a dummy musket and wearing gloves, who occasionally takes all the lit match from the musket block. This is to allow our musketeers to fight hand-to-hand safely, once they have disengaged from the enemy and gone back to firing mode, they have to retrieve their lit match.

Artillery: If you enjoy loud bangs and lots of smoke then artillery is for you! Gunners work as a team loading and firing working replica cannons to form support for front line troops. Glemham's have a number of cannons including King's Wrath, Queen's Scorn, a pair of falconets, and a number of smaller cannons called robinets and gallopers.

Cavalry: Sir Thomas Glemham's Regiment of Foote do not have a cavalry unit, but there are specific cavalry regiments which skilled horse riders can join.

Non-Military

Musicians: You don't have to be able to play when you first sign up, many people take up an instrument after they have already joined. Our musicians use instruments that are replicas of ones from the 17th century. Musicians can also take to the field with the regiment, although they are usually exempt from being attacked!

Medics: The indispensable Sealed Knot Medical Service consists of a variety of medical professionals from doctors, nurses (qualified and students) and firemen to first aiders. While we always hope we won't need their services, it is comforting to know that they are there when we do need them. You can be part of the regiment and also register with the SKMS in case they ever need to call on your skills.

Baggage Trayne: Comprises of professionals and tradesmen whose skills are required by the regiment, which include blacksmiths, engineers and clergy. Some of these roles are acted, however we do have some genuine traders in the SK such as blacksmiths.

Water Carriers: Not an authentic role, but usually described as the most important role on the field of battle. Water carriers are supplied with covered water bottles to provide this essential fluid to the rest of the army during a battle and on march, as most are during the stummer we couldn't fight without them.

Front of House (FoHPs): FoHPs provide cameos before and during battles: these consist of actors (most of whom have no formal training) from the SK, but anyone can join in with the cameos, which are pre-arranged. Roles include lords and ladies, soldiers and civilians, preachers and sinners - and even the odd whipping and hanging! We also have strolling player-type actors, who stay in character for most of the day interacting with the public. Whilst this can be very daunting the first time you do it, there are plenty of 'old hands' about to help you through your stage-fright until you fell confient enough to take on a bigger role.

Living History: These people are non-combatant members of the regiment who represent the families of the soldiers, providing food and water and attending to the wounded, and also craftsmen and women. It is possible to be part of a living history or soldiers' camp and be in a regiment, however the Living History Group is also a seperate arm of the Sealed Knot, putting on their own events as well as attending SK musters adding an extra depth to our re-enactments.

Uniforms and Dress

Part of the reason for our large membership is the cheapness and simplicity of our dress.

We are required to wear 17th century style clothing to events, but for your first few events the regiment will kit you out until you decide it is for you then we will quide you inyo buying or making your own kit. This isn't as frightening as it sounds! We have basic kit patterns, and both within the regiment and in the wider SK you will find plenty of people that can give advice on making your own kit. For the first year kit regulations includes some leeway with what you can wear, but after that you can conform to our basic standards or take it further and become much more authentic such as hand stitching all your own clothes.

Soldiers:

• Grey soldiers coat
• Dark blue or black breeches
• Linen shirt white/off-white
• Gray hose
• Suitable footware - i.e. latchets, or start ups if appropriate to your role (desert boots suitable for first year only)
• Blue bonnet for when we are playing Scots
• Morion (helmet) if you are a pikeman
• Felt hat for general wear

Civilians (male):

• Doublet in an appropriate colour for your rank/role
• Breeches again as appropriate
• Shirt
• Hose again as appropriate
• Suitable footwear as above
• Hat as appropriate

Civilians (female):

• Long petticoat (17th century skirt) in wool, more usually though two are worn at once, with the top one split or hooked up
• Bodice/stays
• Shift
• Hose
• Linen cap called a coif, with or without felt or straw hat
• Suitable footware i.e. latchets, or even barefoot!

Characters:

• FoHPs characters wear appropriate costumes providing you have provenance that it is correct for the era

Children:

• Miniature adults' costume

Babies and toddlers:

• A smock-type garment was worn by both sexes

All of us at Glemham's will be happy to help you choose a role. If you find that it's not 'your thing' you can move into another role. Uniform (kit) and weapons are necessary, although we can normally loan out some kit initially and lend out weapons too (but not real muskets, you need a license first).

Members can now keep in touch via our messageboard