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!

Ranking Officers

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.

Roles Within the Regiment - for Men, Women and Children

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 or navy blue breeches and yellow hose. For more on uniforms see our roles pages.

Both men and women can play all military roles, although only people over the age of 16 can go on the battlefield.

Just because this is an army you are 'enlisting' in, it doesn’t mean you have to fight! There are many roles you can do that are less energetic, both military and civilian, for young and old (last time we checked our oldest fighting pikeman was 73, and oldest musketeer 74) – or simply for those who are more interested in how we lived in the 17th century rather than fighting.

Apprentices at Armes

For those between 12 and 16 years old (whose parent(s) or guardians are also members of the Sealed Knot), there is the Apprentices At Armes, which was founded in February 1992. They put on pre-battle displays at large events, having drilled in a similar fashion to the adults, and also have their own social meetings. Some roles require the production of certain licenses, and a Sealed Knot test must be passed first. Apprentices can train in pike, musket, artillery, sword, drum and colours (we even have an experienced rider providing cavalry support), and take part in cameos in living history. They can also take part in marches, parades and memorial services.

The Apprentices are trained by adults who are fully trained and hold the necessary certificates in their discipline, with the Apprentice Masters also being CRB checked.

There is no seperate uniform, but there is an Apprentice Badge of a demi-bear rampant in or (a gold bear rearing up) which can be sewn on to existing uniforms, on the left arm (girls usually wear boys' kit). Any rank attained as an apprentice can't be carried on in to the adult ranks, but there are opportunities to win the Apprentice Medal (so far, more girls have won this than boys, showing that at even a young age gender is no bar to advancement in the Sealed Knot. There are also more female officers than male within the Apprentices).

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 Sealed Knot you will find plenty of people that can give advice on making your own kit.

The materials we use are natural fibres, as they would have been at the time - if you are working on the cannons or with muskets its best to set light to a small piece of it first, in a safe environment, to check its flammability.

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.

There is also a thriving second hand trade within the Sealed Knot, which many people find the easiest way to buy basic kit - and soon, you'll find yourself buying something a bit smarter for a banquet or just the beer tent, or when you rise up through the ranks. Both men and women can soon find themselves with quite a wardrobe of re-enactment clothes before they know it!

PLEASE NOTE: if you're going to be in public, no matter how briefly, minimum kit standards must be worn (this includes a hat of some description, and visible shirt sleeves), and no modern items in sight (such as mobile phones, modern food including ice creams, etc).

General:

• Gloves: essential for the battlefield, if you don't have any you will not be allowed on the field. The pikemen's gauntlets can sometimes be borrowed, but buying your own pair which fit you is the best idea (some musketeers also remove fingers from the glove to make firing easier). Advice can be given on purchasing the appropriate type for your role, as they vary;
• Bags: a snapsack (known as a 'sausage' bag) of leather or canvas/calico worn slung across your back is the standard soldier's bag, as you'll be going in the block with it we'd advise putting nothing breakable in it, but it can provide cushioning! Musketeers also having the option the a side bag (a folded over bag on a strap) or belt bag (these aren't something you'd really want to wear in a pike block). If you're on the cannons, then you can chose the bag you wear, but we would advise something you can access easily (belt or side bag). Bag content: on the cannons we suggest carrying a bag with a lighter, a pipe cleaner, tissues, liquid tears (or similar eye drops) and ear plugs;
• Water bottle. These can be bought or made of suitable material (such as cotton or calico) to hold a bought water bottle. Although we have water carriers to provide water to the pike and musket block, they don't usually have time to water artillerie or cavalry (although we do try!), and it is sensible especially in hot weather to have your own supply. Glemham's regiment require all artillerie crew to bring a water bottle, quite often you are away from the main battle (and therefore the water carriers);
• Belts should be of leather, in natural colours, and plain with a square-shaped buckle;
• Glasses: these date back to Roman times, so don't worry about being out of place in them! There are traders who make period style frames which you can then take to a high street optician, although some opticians stock similar styles too. If you are on the living history camp then you will need a pair that are of the correct style, we would ask that you have something similar for the battlefield. Its also advisable to bring a spare pair in case of accident, although if you wear glasses regularly you've probably already considered that! Bringing spare contact lenses or glasses if you wear contacts is also advisable, we have had members lose a lens whilst quietly stood on a living history camp. Some opticians can tell you how your lens would react if you accidentally got black powder in your eye, its worth asking them if you have any concerns.

Soldiers:

• Coat: grey soldiers coat of wool, usually with linen lining;
• Breeches: dark blue or black wool, they can be lined or unlined (lined last longer and are more comfortable as the lining is usually of linen). There are several styles, the sort that are tied up at the knee are appropriate for soldiers;
• Shirt: white/off-white (linen), sleeves not too full and gathered at the cuff, with no collar or a small collar;
• Yellow hose: cut wool material or knitted in wool;
• Suitable footware: latchets, closed soldier's shoes, or start ups if appropriate to your role (desert boots suitable for first year only, the plain sort in brown, and preferably adapated - the regiment can give you advice on these);
• Morion (helmet) for pikeman (burgonets and 'lobster pots' are for officers and cavalry), usually in black. A lining is essential if there isn't one in the helmet (in a pinch folded up material will do but we'd advise a knitted Monmouth cap (similar to a beanie or 'Benny' hat - these are also acceptable);
• Armour: 'back and breast' to the approved standard is recommended for pikemen, usually in black;
  
• Montero or felt hat if you are a musketeer (this garment is double-skinned with a peak at the front and can be worn as a cap on the head, or if the outer layer is pulled down it comes below the chin, something akin to the balaclava. It is fondly known as a 'duck bill' in the Sealed Knot!);
  
• Period-style felt hat for general wear (if you chose to wear one on the battlefield, musketeers sometimes pin up one side, and in any role a reinforced lining is advisable), or you can wear a beanie or Benny hat, Montero, or any other period hat as approved by the regiment;
• Swords: there are many different sorts of swords, the regiment will be able to advise you as to which is appropriate for your rank. Pikemen cannot wear theirs in the pikeblock, and everybody who wants to carry a sword needs to pass the Sealed Knot sword test first. Our swords also have to conform to a standard in regards to the metal used, and are blunted for safety reasons (this also means they class as theatrical props and not weapons);
• Musket, powder horn and bandolieers: musketeers will need to purchase these once they have passed their test. There is more information on the requirements on the Roles - Military page.
  

Officers:

• Better kit than the soldiers, usually with a doublet rather than a soldier's coat (advice can be given on attaining a rank as to what is considered suitable for an officer);
• Shirts may have lace collars and cuffs, providing the lace is of an authentic 17th century style and with the approval of the senior officers;
• A felt hat is optional, some officers prefering to wear a morion (some sort of appropriate headgear must be worn);
• Swords: better swords can be worn than soldiers.

Drummers:

• Our drummers' corp has its own uniform, similar to the soldiers' kit with a doublet rather than a soldiers' coat;
• Thin leather gloves, in black or natural brown/tan colours, are not essential but it is advisable to have a pair for cold days. Whether you wear them whilst drumming is personal choice.
  

Civilians (male):

Materials: for the main items of clothing, they would be wool unless portraying somebody rich enough to afford linen (great for summer), silk, velvet (must be the thicker type of velvet which doesn't stretch), brocade, etc.

• Doublet in an appropriate colour and material for your role;
  
• Breeches again as appropriate;
• Shirt linen;
• Hose again as appropriate;
• Hat as appropriate;
• Black or natural brown/tan leather gloves, which can be purchased quite cheaply, are a good idea as we do some events at quite cold times of year;
• Suitable footwear (see soldiers' footwear for details).

Civilians (female):

• Long petticoat (17th century skirt), more usually though two are worn at once, with the top one split or hooked up, in material appropriate for your role;
  
• Bodice/stays, with sleeves either attached or detachable, again cut and material as approrpiate to your role;
• Doublet if no sleeves on bodice/stays, materials as appropriate;
• Shift of cotton or linen, lace additions if playing a lady;
• Hose again as appropriate;
• Linen cap called a coif, with or without felt or straw hat;
• Black or natural brown/tan leather gloves, which can be purchased quite cheaply, are a good idea as we do some events at quite cold times of year;
  
• 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.

Apprentices

• Same as adult costumes, with the addition of the Apprentice Badge if they are a member of the Apprentices at Armes.
  

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).