A Day in the life of a sealed Knotter!

Battles!

Battlefield activities in the main revolve around the four major elements of arms, Musketeers & Dragoones, Gentlemen of the Pike, the Cavalry, and the Artillery. Other features on the battlefield consist of Officers, and the baggage trayne. On the crowd-line there may be beggars, priests, story-tellers, wounded soldiers, waifs, tarts, and other C17 civilian camp followers. An important role is played on the battlefield by the water carriers, as partaking in battle can be as energetic as a game of rugby, and one can de-hydrate very quickly on a hot summers day whilst dressed in hot sweaty C17 style woollen clothing.

Musketeers fight with reproduction muskets, and may from time to time be asked if they wish to act as Dragoones and enter the battlefield mounted on horse, which are then led back behind the lines by Squires, so the Cavalry may mount and enter the battle. Fighting as a musketeer is like a game of cricket, it mostly involves some marching about, and some loading and firing. Hand to hand combat is not compulsory, but every soldier is expected to fight, or die well. The public do like to see a few bodies strewn about the battlefield after an engagement. When one has had enough, he may just lie down and scream loudly. A couple of lads from the regiment will daringly run up and drag the wounded soldier back behind their lines. The crowd love to cheer those brave young soldiers who are rescuing a fallen comrade whilst coming under fire.

Sealed Knot musketeers use a blank-loaded shotgun type gun, called a musket, rampart guns, and cannon are also fired during battles and weapons displays, so gun safety training is a very important part of learning how to fight on a Sealed Knot battlefield. Dummy musketeers can take to the field at their first battle, but for a musketeer to fire a proofed musket, he or she must first possess a shotgun certificate, a black powder licence, and an Sealed Knot musket competence test certificate. There are many lady SK members who also enjoy being musketeers.You don't have to be a man to be a musketeer in the Sealed Knot! Some of the better musketeers in many Sealed Knot regiments are female. They do it because it gives them a chance to do something to be proud of, to fight for their regiment, and that has traditionally always been a man's roll. They also do it because it's matcho, it's fun, and they relish the challenge.

Whilst all the fighting is going on, the artillery will be laying down covering fire and smoke. The Sealed Knot's special effects team (De Gommes) will be remote detonating pre-set charges to give the effect of cannon shot hitting targets at the opposite side of the field.

The Sealed Knot Apprentices (junior family members) often put on living history, and pre-battle displays. This stands them in good stead for when they become elegable to enter onto the Sealed Knot battlefields.

The command structure on the battlefield is very similar to that of a regular army, with Sergeants and Corporals within the ranks, answerable to Officers Commanding, and Commanding Officers, & Lieutenants, Colonel's etc, who in turn answer to their Association or Tercio Commanders, who in turn report to their Lord Generals.

One would expect people to get hurt. Well, surprisingly, there are very few real casualties on the battlefield. Prior to first setting foot on any battlefield, all new recruits are drilled, and thoroughly trained by their regimental Sargents and Corporals in the skills of fighting safely with their weapons of choice. Swords are blunt, muskets and cannon fire blanks, and the pike are rubber tipped. From the public perspective the fighting looks fierce, but in reality no one is actually trying to harm each another.

Two fit & skilled duelling Sealed Knot swordsmen can hold a crowd's attention for over half an hour, and make a better show of a sword duel than Errol Flynn ever could.

The Sealed Knot is nothing if it isn't prepared for any eventuality, so we have our own Sealed Knot Medical Service, formed from members who are also members of the NHS, or practice in the UK as private Nurses, Physicians, Doctors, and Consultants.

Living History!

The Sealed Knot doesn't only play at war. Many members of the Sealed Knot do not wish to take to the battlefield, but prefer to take an active role on the crowd-line, or the Living History site. Where as camp followers they portray traders, cooks, bakers, basket weavers, potters, millers, thatchers, priests, wood turners, joiners, smelters, blacksmiths, farmers, wheelwrights, coopers, tarts, etc. In fact one will find the majority of skills that would normally be found in an average soldiers camp, or even one's local village community.

Dedicated Sealed Knotters (Knotters, as we are known, and there are six thousand of us in total) usually spend the summer weekends at battle re-enactments all round the UK (and Europe). There is usually a battle or a living history event each weekend, sometimes more than one. And everyone is asked to attend, as we wish to project as diverse a vision of C17 life to the ever watch-full eye of the public as is possible.

Plastic Camping!
The plastic camp is where most Knotters reside for the weekend whilst attending an event or muster, as it is known. The camp is usually free of charge to members, and located in an adjacent field which is well fenced, and with only one gate. Upon arrival each member, or party is given a dustbin bag (so the rubbish can be kept tidy), and an information sheet giving telephone numbers of a local Doctor, Dentist, Vet, Hospital, Police, etc, and details of good local pubs & take-away's. Tenting is the most common form of abode, whilst others resort to caravanning, or to local B&B accommodation.

Tenting is the most common form of abode, whilst others resort to caravanning, or to local B&B accommodation. Members of the Sealed Knot police the entrances. With a regimental Commander, and an SK Medic on duty at all times. They will be in touch with all other duty officials, including venue staff, via mobile phones, or UHF radios.

The Gate Guard at the entrance to the plastic camp provides several essential services. The Gate Guard's visible duty is to stop members of the public from entering the SK members private camp site, and to provide information. It is to the Gate Guard that one reports any incidences of accident, fire, or crime, and it is the Gate Guard who will co-ordinate any subsequent response by the on-site Medics, or the emergency services.

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Only Sealed Knot members, and their guests are allowed onto the Sealed Knot plastic camp sites. This ensures a high grade of security for members who have young children, or valuables to protect. Sited within the bounds of the plastic camp is what is known as traders row, where approved Sealed Knot traders (or suttlers) are allowed to sell their wares. Suttlers manufacture and sell a variety of authentic reproduction Seventeen century type goods, i.e. clothes, leather goods, arms, armour, (referred to as Kit), and banqueting wear. There is also a thriving market in second hand kit, usually at the plastic camp site gate. Keep your eyes peeled for notices, there are many a bargain to be had.

There is usually a fast food vendor on the camp site, so one need not go to the trouble of catering. At larger venues there is usually also a vendor selling fresh eggs, bacon, bread, milk, newspapers, and the all essential toilet rolls, on or near the camp site.

Like any community where everyone knows one another, village life revolves round the local pub. The SK contracts it's own pub, or beer tent, as it is known, to provide this service. A varied selection of ales and drinks are available to beer tent visitors, and at larger venues a band is often provided for entertainment. The Sealed Knot also endevours to provides adequate toilet, and health & safety facilities for attending members on it's camp sites.

Foreign Travel!

There are several notable events which might be of interest to the discerning traveller.
A little Dutch village called Groenlo is home to a large siege event and it's sponsored by Grolsch who hold their beer-festival on the same weekend. Needless to say, there are lots of Spanish, Dutch, German, & French re-enactors present, and it is the brewery that is besieged. It's a wicked short break, and a great battle. But it wouldn't suit everybody.

In Eastern Europe there is the Battle of White Mountain, near Prague. White Mountain was home to the Winter King and his Queen (sister to Charles I). Whose son was Prince Rupert of the Rhine. It's a cheap and sensational long weekend break with the opportunity for lots of sightseeing in Prague, with direct flights from £65, and B&B from £25. If price isn't an issue, for £1000.00 one can now again travel in style from Paris to Prague onthe Orient Express.

Memmingham, Bavaria. Cheap B&B, Magnificent landscapes, and the hospitality is always excellent. Again travel from Paris to Munich on the Orient Express is an option. Direct flights from UK at £65. B&B from £35. Prices are approximate.

These are just a few of the choice options. Members sometimes club together to off-set costs by travelling in groups, or by block booking accommodation.

Costs!

Like any other hobby, there are costs to being a member, initial costs will be negligible as the host regiment will provide basic reproduction period clothing shoes, hats, and weaponry to the new members for his and her first few outings. This will allow new members some additional time to explore the costs of new, or second hand kit.

To take part in a Sealed Knot event an individual must be registered as a Sealed Knot member. Membership can be either temporary, full, or family status. Apprentice members (under 16 y/o) are forbidden to enter battle areas due to health & safety requirements. All societies have rules, mainly for the Health & Safety of yourself, other members of the society, and the safety of the sponsors & public. Please adhear to them. Terms and Conditions also apply. They are intended to maintain a reasonably standard of decorum & dress within the society. Please do not ignore them.

Membership of the Sealed Knot can be arranged through a local Sealed Knot regimental commander. (See "How to contact the Sealed Knot" Page). The choice of joining a Royalist or a Parliament regiment is up to the individual. If an error is made at this stage, a transfer can be arranged. Any member of the sealed Knot will put you in contact with the regimental commander of your choice. but be aware he he will actively encourage you to join his regiment.