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What can be said, except that our long awaited trip to England was more then worth it. Even the weather was perfect, only drizzling briefly early during the Saturday of Naseby.
While the size of the Sealed Knot at the 350th Battle of Naseby is impressive, the Royalists outnumbered the New Model by about 3:2. Of course this made the win for Parliament that much sweeter, but truly unhistorical, since the King's forces were historically outnumbered by nearly 2:1 and still almost managed to pull it off! I must say that due to problems which the Sealed Knot had with finding a place to hold the battle, since within weeks of the muster the original site and town showed no real interest, the battle was on a site too small for numbers involved and was the least appealing of the two musters we attended (the other being the 350th Siege of Ashby). Although, nearby Holdenby House was a very nice touch, decently preserved, and with an excellent armorer to boot! Since I have been waiting years to find such a craftsman (called Dressed To Kill), I finally was able to order a properly made high grade commanding officer's gorget and new lobster pot. While the battles each day were somewhat unremarkable, with too few cavalry to make it interesting, it was fun, but was really just another field battle (the host unit should have tried to offer some side elements of the historic battle, such as the victorious New Model sacking the Royalist camp and baggage train). Even ground charges were not used, which I assumed would have been done for a 350th battle. In outline, I acted as staff officer to Colonel Walker, while the soldiers (Pikemen Cunningham, Chuck-a-Beast Meier, Cpl. Slater, and Musketeers Robin and Young), fell in with one of the companies, while Campfollower, and wench Roni, helped the Royalist First Aid station Saturday (so she could take pictures), but joined the Lifeguard Baggage Trayne on Sunday to be on the field. On Saturday the Lifeguard was requested to provide a 1-hour drill demonstration for the public and press/TV. While each day there was also a ceremony held at Holdenby House which portrayed when the New Model Army first received its colours prior to Naseby. The most remarkable site of the whole muster, which Roni (from her place near the crowd on Saturday) said that the public were most impressed with, was the way in which the King's Army was to march on each day. This was were about a half hour prior to the battle the Royalists marched through camp and waited at a staging area behind a hill, so the spectators could not see them. Then about 5 minutes before the battle all the Royalist drums began beating. When it was time to march the Royalists formed up quietly, and marched in two lines together over the hill. The King and his entourage with the Royal Standard, marched over the hill first, then followed by his army. Roni said that at first all you saw was the King, standing alone, while the drums grew louder. Then rows of pike points appeared topping the crest of the hill, followed by colours flying, then tops of soldier's helmets, and finally the units were in full view marching over the hill. As both lines of the King's Army came over the hill the announcer for the battle built it up as what it was historically, one of mostly veteran troops of three years fighting, and which had already soundly defeated three previous Parliament armies. The New Model, some trained, but most raw, waited quietly on the far hill. Indeed, it's truly a thrill to be part of a large impressive army. In fact, just being part of the King's Lifeguard in England, the largest regiment on the field, was satisfying (about 150 that day; about 80 pike/40 musket & 6 colours, plus about 12 drummers well led by Gil Walker). The Colonel of the Lifeguard, Keith Walker, at one point had me face about during our march from my position at its head, and view the regiment behind me. All I could do was smile, and the same thing happened to fellow ECWSA members when I asked them to do likewise (needless to say, it took a while for the smile to fade). On Sunday, while the Royalists were waiting in the battle staging area, I was treated to a Lifeguard Gauntlet (turning into a Tertio Gauntlet from 3-4 Royalist units), when it was made known (by Lt. Young) that Saturday had been my birthday. This involved pikemen lining up with gloves ready as I ran, staggered and fell through the gauntlet. I basically made it through, only quitting after realizing the line grew after those from the front ran to the rear. This brought me respect from the regiment as a tough officer, and quite the opposite of what I suspect was the lieutenant's intention. On Sunday I relinquished my staff position to act as Ensign and fly our First Captain's Colours of the King's Lifeguard of Foot (ECWSA) on the field. After all, Colonel Walker urged me to bring them (so I could say they flew in England at the 350th). Our battle-worn and tattered colours looked perfect, bringing lots of compliments as well. Naturally I enjoyed chances to flourish them. The Lifeguard had seven colours flying and flourishing together that day. What a sight! In the end the Royalists were again defeated, and the King's Army permanently crushed, but at least the Lifeguard had the honor of being one of two reserve units (along with Prince Rupert's Regt.) to be last to go down under musket volleys. One of the other impressive aspects of the muster, which those American Civil War re-enactors can attest to, is a large Sutler area (4 long streets). This is where one could literally find anything, both period items (most not up to ECWSA standards, but some quite good) and book dealers as well. Even though the Pound : Dollar exchange was about $1.70, some items were inexpensive. The funniest occurrence was watching as Pikeman Cunningham, looking to purchase a full gentlemen's suit for evening revelling, took on more and more of an officer's attitude with every article of attire he acquired. Finally, he was all bedecked in finery, from a slashed and trimmed suit with lacy collar and cuffs, to boots and spurs on his feet. At which point he did admited "Yea, just wearing this stuff makes you act differently. Now I know why some officers act like they do...". By then, also like some officers which do not garner the respect of their men, he had managed to act and say enough to have Cpl. Slater and Pikeman Meier longing for a river to throw him in! I will point out that at that time of year (June), it did not get dark until about 10 p.m. Fantastic for re-enacting! The rest of Saturday night was spent in the good company of fellow Lifeguards at their camp, where laughter and drink flowed. We met and made lots of friends at Naseby. In the end it was an enjoyable time. |
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