English Civil War Reenactment – Living History
My first experience of Civil War reenactment came on August Bank Holiday 2022. My first novel had just been published. It starts at the Battle of Edgehill and I was invited to give a talk at the Sealed Knot AGM and to sell signed copies of my books at their re-enactment of the battle. I was delighted. It was a great opportunity to talk to an audience that knew the English Civil War, that I hoped would understand my book.
But then I was told I was also going on the field as a re-enactor. I was horrified, resisted, pushed back, said no thank you. I was a career soldier, a professional, in uniform with the British Army for thirty-odd years, had seen combat. This was dressing up. It was playing at soldiers. I would never be able to look friends or former colleagues in the eye again. But my hosts were firm, insistent. I was going on the field.
Battle of Edgehill 1642 – black powder, pikes, drums & horses
The day came and I was dressed in a musketeer’s coat, breeches and stockings. I was given a gun that did not fire. I felt silly. But then the drums started – lots of them – thumping – beating out the march.
I don’t know what it is about 17th Century drums, but they get me going. I stepped out. Maybe this was not so bad. The standard of foot drill was ragged. They needed a few hours with a sergeant major. But the drums and drumming were good.
And then the battle started. Well, it wasn’t a real battle. There was no incoming, no crack, thump, rattling burst or snatched radio chatter. But I had never been on a ‘battlefield’ with black powder, clashing pikes, drums and horses. This was interesting, different.
Much of it was as I had imagined from my research. But it was good to be amongst it, to see it, feel, hear and smell it. It was as close as I was going to get to being in a Civil War battle.
I am not afraid of horses. I was brought up with them, on a farm, and have ridden out with the Household Cavalry. But I had not faced a line of Civil War horse at close quarters. That was interesting, brought a prickle to the back of my neck.
And then we closed at butt-end of musket. I have to admit that I may have got a little carried away. A bit too fired up. In the heat of it. The other chap was very decent about it afterwards. He accepted a signed book, shook hands and laughed about it over a beer.
More Madness – reenactor injuries, risk & doing it all again
Well, I had done it. I had taken part in a Civil War battle re-enactment. It had been historical research. But now I could look any re-enactor squarely in the eye. I had marched with them, taken part, done what they did.
But had I? Had I really done it? I had only been on the field once. And I had not been a pikeman. I had not experienced a push of pikes. The thought gnawed away at the back of my mind, itched through the long winter months of writing. I finished my second novel and signed up as a pikeman for August Bank Holiday 2023.
My hosts told me I was a little old, that they could not be responsible for my safety. I had seen pikemen limping off the field with torn coats, bleeding. Some of them had lost eyes! Was I mad? Possibly. But I had to try it. At least once.
Reenacting a Civil War pikeman – armoured rugby with sticks
I was kitted out with an ill-fitting morion helmet, buff coat and pike, put through my drill postures, formed up and trooped off. This time, the drums felt a little more ominous, beating a more forlorn call.
I clasped the pike into my shoulder and focused on keeping pace with my file leader, on the long dry march to the battlefield at Margam Park.
We marched on, faced off, charged our pikes. I peered out from the second rank, between helmets, down the length of my pike at our foe. They stood firm, glared back, a solid pike block. We stepped forward, fenced, pulled back.
And then we closed to ‘closest order’. We stepped closer, surged forward, slamming into them. My feet were off the floor, the wind driven from my lungs, fingers crushed between pike and the backplate in front of me. I could barely breath, desperate to stay upright.
‘Man down!’ We pulled apart, gasping for breath. Thank God it had not been me. I had not fallen. I had not let the rest of my pike block down. And then we did it again. And again.
It was madness, armoured rugby with ash staves. But I had to keep going. I yelled – terrible, Civil War slogans and battle cries. I snarled, shouted and threw myself into each push.
Finally, we marched off the field. I was battered and bruised, soaked in sweat, exhausted. But I had no broken bones. I had not lost an eye or fingers. I could still type. And I had not let them down.
I had kept my place, stood in the second rank of the pike block. I had not fallen. The beer and party that night tasted that much sweeter for it.
Historical Author Research – feel, hear, smell, Living History
Would I do it again. Yes! I am a convert. Perhaps not as a pikeman. I think I am too old and would not wish to push my luck. But I very much hope I can join the Sealed Knot on the field again. I am hoping I can join as a gunner next time. I want to experience as many of the roles I write about as possible.
As an author, the experience is invaluable. The opportunity to be immersed in a 17th Century battlefield is difficult to beat. Nowhere else can we experience what it was to feel, hear and smell history up close and personal. It is also a lot of fun.
I now have re-enactor friends and a brilliant network of expertise to draw upon in my book research. I am very grateful for the chance to join the Sealed Knot on and off the field.
Living History & Historical Fiction – making history accessible
Finally, I have also come to appreciate the role re-enactment can play in making history accessible. I have witnessed how it can bring it alive, make it tangible to those who might otherwise feel history is only for others. I have seen how crowds can touch and be touched by history. It is good to play a small part in that.
I hope that the historical fiction I write complements this. My books tell the story of historical Civil War events through the experiences and emotions of ordinary people, on each side of the conflict. Re-enacting with the Sealed Knot has contributed to this. I am grateful for the opportunity to join them.
This post was first published in The Sealed Knot Society’s journal, Orders of the Day, in June 2024.
Follow & Read More – News, events & 17th Century history
I hope this Civil War reenactment post was of interest. If so, you might also enjoy some of the other posts in this Author Blog. These include more posts on Living History & Historical Re-enactment.
You can also find a series of posts on this website about life in Early Modern Britain and the British Civil Wars. These include the 17th Century Almanac monthly blog. There are also posts on Author Life & Writing Historical Fiction and Book Publishing. Alternatively, check out the Divided Kingdom News posts for book offers and updates.
If you would like to meet, please do check out the Author Talks & Book Signings or History Talks & Battlefield Walks I give at Charles Cordell Events. If one of these events will be near you, please do come along, join me and say hello.
Finally, this website includes articles and pages about life in 17th Century Britain, Europe and the Americas at Historical Notes and Maps. These include articles on the impact of the Little Ice Age and The General Crisis of the 17th Century. They also include historical notes from my research on the English Revolution and Great Rebellion, as well as English Civil War battles, including the Battle of Edgehill 1642.
If you would like to receive an email notification of my next post, just click the button to follow.
Divided Kingdom – English Civil War historical fiction
This post aims to offer a little of the backstory to my writing and the Divided Kingdom books. This historical fiction series is set in Early Modern Britain during the English Civil War. I hope you enjoy the books.
The Divided Kingdom books take a fresh approach. They are not based on a single hero. They do not take sides. Their voices – ordinary men and women – face each other in the chaos of Britain in civil war. They are both relatable and sharply relevant today. They are also as historically accurate as is possible.
Please do check out some of the writing at Divided Kingdom Books, including book tasters and a FREE ebook short story.
See More – social media & the Divided Kingdom Readers’ Club
Alternatively, check out Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube for more posts. These include notes from my historical research, Living History and English Civil War fiction. They also include upcoming events and opportunities to meet. Or, follow on social media at #DividedKingdomBooks or #EnglishCivilWarFiction on:
If you want even more, join us in the Divided Kingdom Readers’ Club. You will receive FREE exclusive access to unpublished short stories, email and more. Click the link to sign up and join the Clubmen.
Spread the Word & Share
If you like what you see, please click, share and spread the word via email or your social media on:
