Archived News

19th to 20th June 2010 - Bolling Hall, Bradford - Living History

A fantastic event and the first time at Bolling Hall for Newcastles. We had such a good time we felt this event deserved an extended review...

Click here for the full review and gallery.

5th to 6th June 2010 - Stratford Armouries, Warwick - Major Event

Stratford was our first major muster of the season and a fantastic time was had by all. The battles were hard fought and the evening celebrations went on into the wee hours...

Some excellent photos of the battle in the gallery, courtesy of regimental member Bill Jones. Bill has just joined the Sealed Knot photographic team, so he can now go on the battlefield with his camera. Congratulations Bill and we look forward to more fantastic photos!

Ready for battle

Musket Loaded

Whitecoats in the midst

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

30th to 31st May 2010 - Wentworth Church, Yorkshire - Soldier's Camp and display

The end of May saw another fantastic regimental event at Wentworth Old Church. As with previous visits, we set up a soldier's camp in the grounds of the church, showing daily life during the English Civil War, as well as marches and displays of pike and musket.

This year we added more living history displays and activities than ever before, with more armour to try on, more games to play and a chance to see the members scrubbing up their whites on the camp wash-day.
Also new was the game of authentic bowls on the Wentworth green. Congratulations to team A (Roma, Gary, Molly, Dave, James, Nick C, Tiny and Jackie), who went on to win the match on the very last game.

Finally, during the day we found a spy in our midst. Once the spy was caught, he was dragged by a rope out of the camp, where swift justice was dispensed.
Overall, a great but busy time was had by all, with over a thousand visitors.

Trying on armour

Playing Games

Dealing with a spy*

* Note: No re-enactors were harmed during this performance!

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

1st to 3rd May 2010 - Near Bristol - Regimental Training / Social

A wet bank holiday in May was the setting for our early-season regimental training event and social, though the poor weather meant that the weekend ended up more social than training.

We did, however, managed to unpack and inspect the 17th century tents ready for our living history event in Wentworth and do some drill, in between barbeques, sampling an excellent range of homebrew, pub lunches and a slightly damp firework display courtesy of Ged and Trina.

Many thanks to Tim and Jackie for hosting the event and for organising the BBQ.

Sunday 2nd May 2010 - SK Members in 'Lewis' episode

The latest series of Lewis, the ITV detective drama, featured a story involving re-enactors. The Sealed Knot provided the extras for this episode, including some members of our very own regimente, filmed in November last year.

The episode ("In the dead of winter") was shown on Sunday 2nd May.

To go to the gallery and play "Spot the Newcastle" click Here.

If you missed the programme you should be able to view it on the ITV Player (http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/)

17th to 18th April 2010 - Naseby, Northamptonshire - Royalist Army Training

Another new season, another Royalist Army training weekend - a chance for the King's army to get together, clean off the dusty armour and practice tactics, as well as entering a number of good-humoured competitions.

This year the Royalist army training was a particularly good one for Newcastles:

We got to meet our latest new recruit, who turned out to be fantastically enthusiastic - practically throwing himself into all of the events of the weekend. A very warm welcome and we are looking forward to fighting with you again!

We also took part in two of the competitions as part of our tercio (a number of regimentes that traditionally fought together) - the pike competition and the capture the flag competition.

We did quite well in the pike competition - coming second overall after being piped to first place by a pike block with an additional five or six pikemen over the twelve that we entered.

Our big victory of the weekend, however, was in the 'capture the flag' competition. A free-for-all competition between the tercios, points were awarded for finding the flag that was hidden in a large field, transporting the flag to a designated spot and successfully defending the flag against the opposing tercios for five minutes. Our prize for the victory was a trophy that will decorate the mantelpiece, whilst we relate tales of the 'great battle of 2010'...

Our newest recruit

Pike Push Competition

'Capture the flag' Trophy

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

Saturday 20th March 2010 - New issue of Foote and Mouthe
The new issue of our regimental newsletter has now been published. (Newcastles - you can grab an electronic copy by logging into the forums)

Wednesday 20th February 2010 - Coleford plaque laid.

Today, on a cold and frosty February afternoon, a parade of Knotters marched into the centre of town to commemorate the battle of Coleford which started on the 20th of February in 1643. After a short display and a round of musket-fire the Sealed Knot, in conjunction with the local council, laid a plaque in the town square - part of the wider educational role of the Sealed Knot in spreading the word about the English Civil War.

Click here to open a BBC article about the event in a new window.

Saturday 23rd January 2010 - Nantwich, Cheshire - March and mini battle

The annual early-season event at Nantwich was a great way to kick off the year. A crowd of hardened Knotters descended on the town to march through the streets and stage the first battle of the season. The pike pushes were hotly contested, which was a great way of keeping warm.

The evening of this event is traditionally rounded off with curry and beer (and the option of clubbing in kit for those who are alive after midnight), so who were we to go against tradition...

A huge thanks to our guest photographer, David Hatton, for these shots of the action at Nantwich. In the absence of our regimental photographer, our publicity officer accosted a random member of the public who looked like he knew what he was doing and asked if he would take some photos for us - he agreed and we were delighted by the results! Once again, many thanks David!

Spot the difference (*)

Taking a breather

Packing in

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

* The Newcastle's pikemen cloning programme is going well - check out the front row in this photo!

2009

Saturday 21st November 2009 - Newcastle's members to appear in 'Lewis'

The next series of the TV show Lewis has a story involving English Civil War reenactors and the SK were drafted in to take part. Some members of Newcastles were on the field that day, so watch out for them when Lewis airs in the new year.

Tuesday 3rd November 2009 - Nov 2009 Foote and Mouthe published
Nick Cooper has now published the next issue of Foote and Mouthe (for non-members, this is our regimentale newsletter).

Sunday 25th October 2009 - Edgehill, Oxfordshire - Annual Parade and Remembrance Service
At one of the last events of the 2009 season, the regimentale colours (flags) were carried in memory of the first major battle of the English Civil War in 1642.  This was followed by a very agreeable regimentale pub lunch at the Castle Inn.    

Sorry, but no photos of this one.

Tuesday 13th October 2009 - eOrders of the Daye
Calling all members - the Oct/Nov issue of eOrders of the Daye is now available from the main SK site (for non-members, this is the SK newsletter).

Sunday 11th Oct 2009 - Ripple, Worcestershire - Annual March and Remembrance  Service
A march with the colours through the beautiful village of Ripple, followed by a remembrance service to remember the founder of the Sealed Knot, Brigadier Peter Young and his wife Joan.  Afterwards, the regimente raised their glasses to the Brigadier and enjoyed a Sunday lunch together. 

Sorry, but no photos of this one.

29th to 31st August 2009 - York Racecourse - Major Battle
The last major muster of the season and a special event for Newcastles.

Firstly we were re-enacting the battle of Marston Moor, where historically our regimente made a heroic last stand and fought to the death, which is always very poignant to re-enact (Click here to read more about Marston Moor on the Battlefields Trust website).

Secondly we, along with Manchester’s Regimente, took part in filming for the 2010 series of Rory and Paddy's Great British Adventure.  Rory McGrath joined our pike block, learning drill and taking part in some ferocious pike pushes.  He really got into the spirit of the day- quite literally as he was spotted supping the Pikeman’s poison, tankard most firmly in hand!     

Thirdly, one of our long standing and very beloved members, Wendy, celebrated a big birthday this year, and to celebrate we threw her a surprise party- cocktails, party food, cake and games, including ‘pin the head on the sheep’, and ‘pass the parcel’ all helped make the evening great fun, despite the rain!

Rory McGrath

The Battle

Wendy's birthday (*)

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

Captured Times, an independent video company that sells DVDs of musters, has placed an excellent preview of the action at York on YouTube - Click here to open a new window.

* Honestly, Wendy is really happy in this photo but it has all just been a little emotional...

8th to 9th August 2009 - The beach at Weston-Super-Mare - Major Battle
The infamous "Battle on the beach" was a spectacular event with pike, musket and horse charging across the sands of Weston beach.  The long flat sands provided amazing views of the armies marching to battle, and storming the Parliamentarian fortifications was great fun with the first few Royalists clambering up the steep sandbanks before being knocked back down again until sheer numbers overwhelmed the defenders.  Back at camp we had a brilliant beach party, and later the younger (and young at heart) members were to be found dancing the night away in the beer tent.

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

Captured Times, an independent video company that sells DVDs of musters, has placed an excellent preview of the action at Weston on YouTube - Click here to open a new window.

11th to 12th July 2009 - "The cow field", Treeton, Yorkshire - Mini hosted by us!
 This weekend was the jewel in the crown for Newcastles in 2009.  As the host regimente we were responsible for running the whole event, from negotiating with the sponsor months before the event to clearing up the site at the end- and a lot in-between!  Running an event is a big job, but also makes you very proud to be part of your regimente when you see everyone pulling together and making it work.  We were really lucky to welcome along a group of new recruits from the North Staffs YMCA who came along on temporary memberships and joined in with every job going from setting out the site to doing guard duty at 4am to clearing rubbish.  They were also a great addition on the field and made us an even better fighting force!  We were pleased to find that we attracted a crowd that was larger than some majors over the two days and handed out lots of leaflets and information to potential recruits!  There was a special beer brewed in remembrance of the sponsor who had recently passed away which was very popular and when we had torrential rain late on Saturday night, all was not lost as we managed an impromptu party at the guard tent.

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

Saturday 21st November 2009 - Newcastle's members to appear in 'Lewis'

The next series of the TV show Lewis has a story involving English Civil War reenactors and the SK were drafted in to take part. Some members of Newcastles were on the field that day, so watch out for them when Lewis airs in the new year.

Tuesday 3rd November 2009 - Nov 2009 Foote and Mouthe published
Nick Cooper has now published the next issue of Foote and Mouthe (for non-members, this is our regimentale newsletter).

Sunday 25th October 2009 - Edgehill, Oxfordshire - Annual Parade and Remembrance Service
At one of the last events of the 2009 season, the regimentale colours (flags) were carried in memory of the first major battle of the English Civil War in 1642.  This was followed by a very agreeable regimentale pub lunch at the Castle Inn.    

Sorry, but no photos of this one yet.

Tuesday 13th October 2009 - eOrders of the Daye
Calling all members - the Oct/Nov issue of eOrders of the Daye is now available from the main SK site (for non-members, this is the SK newsletter).

Sunday 11th Oct 2009 - Ripple, Worcestershire - Annual March and Remembrance  Service
A march with the colours through the beautiful village of Ripple, followed by a remembrance service to remember the founder of the Sealed Knot, Brigadier Peter Young and his wife Joan.  Afterwards, the regimente raised their glasses to the Brigadier and enjoyed a Sunday lunch together. 

Sorry, but no photos of this one yet.

29th to 31st August 2009 - York Racecourse - Major Battle
The last major muster of the season and a special event for Newcastles.

Firstly we were re-enacting the battle of Marston Moor, where historically our regimente made a heroic last stand and fought to the death, which is always very poignant to re-enact (Click here to read more about Marston Moor on the Battlefields Trust website).

Secondly we, along with Manchester’s Regimente, took part in filming for the 2010 series of Rory and Paddy's Great British Adventure.  Rory McGrath joined our pike block, learning drill and taking part in some ferocious pike pushes.  He really got into the spirit of the day- quite literally as he was spotted supping the Pikeman’s poison, tankard most firmly in hand!     

Thirdly, one of our long standing and very beloved members, Wendy, celebrated a big birthday this year, and to celebrate we threw her a surprise party- cocktails, party food, cake and games, including ‘pin the head on the sheep’, and ‘pass the parcel’ all helped make the evening great fun, despite the rain!

Rory McGrath

The Battle

Wendy's birthday (*)

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

Captured Times, an independent video company that sells DVDs of musters, has placed an excellent preview of the action at York on YouTube - Click here to open a new window.

* Honestly, Wendy is really happy in this photo but it has all just been a little emotional...

8th to 9th August 2009 - The beach at Weston-Super-Mare - Major Battle
The infamous "Battle on the beach" was a spectacular event with pike, musket and horse charging across the sands of Weston beach.  The long flat sands provided amazing views of the armies marching to battle, and storming the Parliamentarian fortifications was great fun with the first few Royalists clambering up the steep sandbanks before being knocked back down again until sheer numbers overwhelmed the defenders.  Back at camp we had a brilliant beach party, and later the younger (and young at heart) members were to be found dancing the night away in the beer tent.

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

Captured Times, an independent video company that sells DVDs of musters, has placed an excellent preview of the action at Weston on YouTube - Click here to open a new window.

11th to 12th July 2009 - "The cow field", Treeton, Yorkshire - Mini hosted by us!
 This weekend was the jewel in the crown for Newcastles in 2009.  As the host regimente we were responsible for running the whole event, from negotiating with the sponsor months before the event to clearing up the site at the end- and a lot in-between!  Running an event is a big job, but also makes you very proud to be part of your regimente when you see everyone pulling together and making it work.  We were really lucky to welcome along a group of new recruits from the North Staffs YMCA who came along on temporary memberships and joined in with every job going from setting out the site to doing guard duty at 4am to clearing rubbish.  They were also a great addition on the field and made us an even better fighting force!  We were pleased to find that we attracted a crowd that was larger than some majors over the two days and handed out lots of leaflets and information to potential recruits!  There was a special beer brewed in remembrance of the sponsor who had recently passed away which was very popular and when we had torrential rain late on Saturday night, all was not lost as we managed an impromptu party at the guard tent.

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

5th July 2009 - Marston Moor,Yorkshire - March and Commerative Wreath Laying
Each year several regimentes march to the memorial which commemorates the royalist soliders that lost their lives during the battle of Marston Moor. This battle was particularly relevant to Newcastles as it was Maston Moor that signalled the end of our regimente - we entered the battle with in excess of 3000 soldiers and, despite a valient last stand, by the end of the battle less than 30 were left alive. Each year we join the march and lay a wreath at the memorial.

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

13th to 14th June 2009 - Wentworth Church,Yorkshire - Soldier's Camp and display
This was a small regimentale event where we were able to put on some displays of arms and re-create life at a soldier’s camp in the grounds of the historic church.  We were well attended by the public and our activities included cooking, butter churning, sewing and other crafts, as well as playing traditional games and even recreating ‘pay day’ where the soldiers queued up to receive their very long overdue wages.  The regimente marched though the village and did some musket firing which drew in the crowds.  This event also allowed us to publicise our next, much larger event in the area, Treeton, which is only a month away- lots of flyers were handed out.  Getting to eat homemade butter, breads, meats and cheeses for lunch all in the name of re-enactment, as well as the now traditional regimentale dropped scones was very pleasant and was washed down with some wonderfully refreshing and light elderflower cider, brewed by Tiny.

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

23rd May 2009 - Loseley Park, Guldford, Surrey - Major Battle
The late May bank holiday was a great weekend!  We had a regimentale meeting on the Sunday evening, which was long overdue and included some exciting news about forthcoming events- Wentworth and Treeton especially!  Following the sensible bit, we then started our regimentale party- (bank holiday musters usually include a themed party on the Sunday night) this time the theme was Mexican.  Costumes included lots of silly moustaches and sombreros and ponchos, with the odd (questionable taste) Swine Flu pig costume thrown in!  We ate chilli and nachos and then later entertainment turned to singing- even Father Abraham made an appearance!

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery (unfortunately no photos of the battle itself).

17th May 2009 – Promotions and an award
An exciting time as three promotions were made.  Nic Houghton was promoted from Pike Corporal to Pike Sergeant, with Andy Marriott & Alex Walling taking on the role of Pike Corporals.  Also, belated news from the end of last season - Ged Cahill was awarded the King’s Medal Bronze for "his steadfast support for Newcastle’s regiment for over 25 years".

3rd-4th May 2009 - Bovington Tank Museum, Dorset - Mini Battle
A small but fun battle held in the tank arena, this event also allowed us to see the exhibits in the tank museum and catch up with friends we’d not seen over the winter break.
     

Click the photo for a larger version.

4th April 2009 - Rotherham, Yorkshire - Regimental Feaste
The feaste was held near Rotherham this year.  Members had made mountains of authentic food including two huge game pies, lots of stews, cold cuts, cheeses, fruits and sweetmeats.  There was entertainment provided by the Leeds Waits, who played music, got us up and dancing 17th century style, and had us perform a short play with much hilarity!
     

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.

24th January 2009 – Nantwich, Cheshire - Annual March and Skirmish
The first event of 2009 saw lunchtime drinks in the Red Cow before the battle which was dry but cold and muddy underfoot.  Back to the Travelodge for a clean up and then into town for more drinks and a Regimentale curry, attended by around thirty of us , followed by half a dozen Newcastle’s hitting the dancefloor into the early hours- clubbing in kit is quite an experience! 
     

Click each photo for a larger version or click here for the full gallery.