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Col Robert Hammond's Regiment of Foote A Parliamentary regiment in the Sealed Knot Re-enactment Society |
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| Regimental
Organisation and Roles
During the English Civil War an infantry regiment would ideally number around 1,200 officers and men. A regiment would be divided into 10 smaller units called companies. Each company would have it's own colours and drummers. In reality due to sickness, desertion, and casualties on the battlefield it would be very unusual for any regiment to be at full strength. An infantry regiment would consist of two types of soldier, Pikemen and Musketeers, along with their Officers, Drummers and of course an Ensign, the officer whose job was to carry the regiment's colours. In the Sealed Knot our regiments are a good deal smaller than the originals, usually about the size of an actual infantry company. Just like the originals we have Pikemen, Musketeers, Drummers, Officers, and our colours. We also have roles for those who don't want to carry weapons as Campfollowers. This is a term we use to describe anyone in a non-combatant role. New members can't expect to start at the top so new recruits can opt to become : Pikemen or Musketeers Pikemen were the shock troops of the regiment. They were regarded as the bravest and the best fighting men in the unit. Armed with a sword and the 17 foot long pike that gives them their name, and often armoured, their role was to engage in close combat. The regiment's musketeers had no effective defence against enemy cavalry and so they
Pikemen
were often held in reserve while the musketeers weakened the enemy with
their firepower. When the pike moved forward to engage the enemy infantry
it meant that the crucial point of the battle had been reached. Either
the enemy looked to be ready to break and a determined charge would see
them off or support was needed to reinforce the musketeers. In any event
the pikemen had to be prepared to move forward, often through a hail of
musketry, to come to grips with the In the twentieth century our pikemen have to learn the correct drill and be able to handle the pike safely. Fighting with the pike block can be physically demanding, especially on hot days.
Musketeers formed the bulk of an infantry regiment's soldiers. Usually outnumbering the pikemen two or three to one. They were armed with a smoothbore matchlock musket and a sword. Their role was to weaken the enemy from a distance with fire power, prior to the pike block advancing to contact. When the pike block advanced they drew swords or used their muskets as clubs and advanced along with them. The slow rate of fire and lack of bayonets meant that without pike support they were very vulnerable to cavalry attacks. Musketeering is not as strenuous as the pike, and we have many female musketeers. Before being allowed on the field as a firing musketeer, with the Sealed Knot, a shotgun and black powder licence are required, a detailed safety test must be passed, and the musketeer must have been on the battlefield as a non firing member of the musket block on several occasions. Drummers provide the heartbeat of the regiment. The drums are used to convey the Commanding Officer's orders over the noise and confusion of battle and to provide a beat to help co-ordinate the manouvering of the pike and musket. On the march a steady drum beat helps the miles pass more easily. Along with the Regimental Colours the drums form the rallying point of the regiment.
Campfollower is the generic name for all non-combatant roles within the Sealed Knot. Campfollowers carry out a whole host of interesting jobs, many of which are vital for the smooth running of the regiment. The commonest role is as support to the "fighting" soldiers. Carrying water, collecting match (which musketeers have to drop before entering hand to hand combat), and generally providing support on the battlefield. This is a vital job without it the rest of us cannot perform our roles. Campfollowing doesn't stop there. The Regimental Preacher, Chirgeon, Civilian traders on living history sites, in fact any aspect of English Civil War life that doesn't involve recreating combat as it's main role counts as campfollowing. If you are a budding thespian, or don't want to lug all that military equipment around, then perhaps this is the role for you. You can always change your mind if you do want to try something different later.
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