COLONEL JOHN PICKERING'S REGIMENT OF FOOTE
A Regiment of the Sealed Knot
ROLES WITHIN THE REGIMENT
There are a variety of different roles within the regiment, all of which you can try when you join. There are short descriptions of these below: follow the links for a fuller description and pictures. Whatever you decide to do, full training will be given.
Musketeers not only have the thrill of firing a replica musket within a well-ordered block, but also enjoy demonstrating their own personal skill with swords and the clubbed muskets in hand-to-hand combat. Being a musketeer enables you to be a swash-buckling d'Artagnan while still enjoying the camaraderie of the block!
Pikemen are armed with eighteen foot ash pikes. The pike block always fights at close quarters. It is a very physical, full-contact role, and because of the need to fight competitively as a unit, the camaraderie within the block is second to none. Being a pikeman is like being a prop forward with armour and a stick!
The drummers are a vital part of the regiment and are used to muster the troops, to lead the regiment onto the field, to relay orders, and to help tired legs get back from the battle. Even the most hardened Knotter can't fail to be stirred by the sound of the drums announcing the call-to-arms.
Providing the focal point of the regiment the standard bearer or ensign leads the regiment into battle and provides a rallying point. This is a position of honour and is appointed rather than chosen as a role. As in the Civil War the loss of a colour to the enemy is a huge dishonour and as a result the standard will not fight in the front ranks.
Civilians perform a variety of important roles on and off the field. Camp followers water the troops and loot the dead on the battlefield. There are also civilians performing cameo roles, who work along the crowd-line. There are various characters such as preachers, traders, whores, beggars and aristocrats: in fact, think of a character and they'll be there!
The children have not been forgotten and are always included in activities. The campsites are full of children safely playing, and for the older children there is apprentices at armes to get involved with, which is available for those youngsters who have reached the year of their 10th birthday.