Rosemary that is so interesting I never thought I would learn so much from a quilting site, just proves that you are never to old to learn new things
you sure know your stuff on this subject , hope you did not mind me asking you about this like you I love anything Historical . The Tudors are doing it
for me at the moment probably because I watched The Showtime version, or should I say I drooled at the Showtime version I think some of it was
correct but it was great fun to watch and I was in awe on the costumes . Clothes are so boring nowadays .

The Sealed Knot was the first re-enactment group that was started by Brig. Peter Young back in the mid 60's, the tale I have heard is that during/after a fancy dress party they started discussing how did 17th C battlefield tactics actually work and decideded that it would be good idea to try them out.... it then developed from there. In the early 70's when the average costume was crimpilene, lace & feathers for the common soldier (ugh) a breakaway group who wanted to be much more authentic in everything, wearing wool, leather & steel, broke away and became The English Civil War Society. These days there is much more of a parity for authencity, but this was pretty much the start of re-enacting different periods of history to see what could be learnt by doing things with the actual equipment available during that period, and can be fascinating to research.

There is an interesting video about putting on a muster http://ecws.org.uk/cms/watch-our-video
Suewarby wrote:
This is a great misconception that is always peddled! The fancy costumes are worn by the gentry - the people who have money to spend on their backs, these would be the men who would raise a regiment, at their own expense, and would then become the Colonel regardless of experience. The common soldiers on both sides would be wearing the same style of clothes. There was no common standardisation of uniforms, it depended up, a)what colour the Colonel decided upon as his; b)what colour could be obtained. c) if it could be afforded to supply all the men with a new coat or suit at the same time.
There are many instances of fathers and sons being on opposite sides, as well men who were good friends, one example being Lord Hopton and General Waller, who, despite being on opposing sides they still remained good friends all through the war. They would have dressed pretty much the same because of their station in life, rather than their political convictions.

The two terms, 'Roundheads' and 'Cavaliers' are both period insults, The 'Roundheads' were originally the shaven headed London apprentices - think 'skinheads' today, always up for a ruck! The 'Cavaliers' were the 'Hooray Henrys' of their day -a bunch of swaggering (richer) trouble makers ..... not a lot changes really

PS for most of the Civil War Oliver Cromwell was an indistinguished MP and a very minor cavalry captain.

Suewarby wrote:
We have groups here that do the same with our Civil War.

I love all the stuff I learn on this site! Never heard of the Sealed Knot before. Love the costumes!

Great costumes Rosemary you look wicked as they say nowadays , don't blame your DH wanting that lining with all that itchy wool .
Lois The Sealed Knot is a re enactment group who focus on the Civil War in Britain The Roundheads and the Cavaliers The Cavaliers
are the ones who have the fancy costumes, they are very good and go round the country enacting various battles. I was very
impressed when I saw them . Thanks for posting Photgraphs Rosemary .

Wonderful!

What is Sealed Knot? Great Costumes!

Yep, that is the sort of thing we got up to - although we were not the Knot!. Here are a couple of recentish photos of me in my everyday kit. I also have a cream jacket embroidered in red which I wore with this skirt for banquets etc. {!-- ia0 -->CIMG7189.JPG{!-- ia0 -->Steve's suit is black with black braid every 2" horizontally across the sleeves. He was particularly pleased that I was able to hide pockets in his front tabs on his doublet, and he insisted that the breeches were lined with satin

This one is for Rosemary I found this picture of the Sealed Knot when they were in Ruthin a few years ago (Prince Rupert) believe.
I was amazed at the costumes is this what you used to make when you were with them ???