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What does the Pike Block do?

The Civil War Pike Blocks

Why were they there? - An English Civil War pike block could be made up of up to 400 men and fought as one unit mainly to protect the rest of the army from attack by the cavalry (which could make up to 30% of the opposing forces).

How were they equipped? - The level of equipment varied greatly and depended on the stage of the war, what was issued or supplied and where you were.  Most pikemen had a 16 to 18 foot pike, a sword and a regimental coat.  If you were lucky you could have a helmet, back/breast plates and tassets and a regimental suit of clothes.

A Pike Block within the Sealed Knot

As a pikeman in Hawkins' regiment you will fight in blocks of up to 50 men when fighting as a tertio (formation of three regiments) and up to 20 men when fighting as a regiment. You will be issued with a pike, helmet, white coat and back/breast and tassets.  Once you have passed a sword test you can also use the regimental swords.

Apart from defending against horse and engaging musket blocks the pike fight in two different styles when confronting another pike block.

Point of Pike - The blocks clash with points down and swords drawn.  This form of fighting is used on the crowd lines and at the start and end of battles.   Many think it is more authentic than push.  Pikemen or women (dressed as men) are less susceptible to crushing injuries but more likely to gain cuts and bruises from the pike points or sword blades.

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Push of Pike - The blocks clash with the pikes held across the chest.   Originally used by re-enactors to prevent stabbing injuries from pike points, the push has taken on a mystique all of its own.  It is fiercely competitive and in a major battle is used by the Lord Generals of the armies to gain ground on the opposing army. Ideally push is used as a backdrop to point fighting as the crowd can see the tops of the pikes as blocks clash.   The push is a stage in pike fighting after the initial pointing when the rear ranks push their own front onto the opposing block causing chaos in the ranks and loose pikes to shoot out in all directions

Some regiments fight either point or push but as a member of Hawkins' regiment you will be expected to train in both forms of fighting.

What does a Musketeer do?

The Musketeer in the English Civil War

Why were they there? - The musketeer was the mobile fire power of a 17th century army.  They fought in blocks of up to 400 men because the basic matchlock musket was slow to load and individually inaccurate.  Fighting en-mass enabled the accuracy question to be overcome whilst also making the block easier to defend from cavalry.

How were they equipped? - The musketeer was equipped with a muzzle- loading matchlock musket, a coat or suit of clothes which often included a montairo (a soft hat similar to a balaclava), a bandolier, bullet bag & powder flask and a sword for close combat. Often a musketeer would also carry a bullet mould to make his own shot from plundered lead or even his own coat buttons if things got desperate.  At Basing House the besieging Parliamentarian musketeers melted down the lead coffins from the family crypt to fire back at the defenders in the house.

A Musketeer in the Sealed Knot

As a musketeer in the Sealed Knot you will be firing in blocks from 10 to 200 (army volleys), as well as engaging pike, cavalry and other musket blocks with clubbed muskets and sword. Because fighting with the musket block is less physically demanding than fighting with the pike, it is ideal for women who want to take part in the fighting.  The regiment owns several muskets which can be used for your first season.  Musketeers often then buy their own (£150 - £200) but you can continue to borrow subject to availability.

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What licenses do you need? - You will also need a shotgun certificate and a form F licence. The form F licence enables you to use (but not to store) black powder.  Before you can 'live' fire you will have to pass the Sealed Knot's musket safety test.

What you will do and what we supply - Do not worry if you do not have the licences to begin with as for your first few musters you can use a dummy musket for which no licences are required.  As well as supplying you with a musket the regiment will also supply a bandolier, sword, coat and breeches for your first musters.  Black powder is supplied by the Sealed Knot at Battles.