Frequently Asked Questions

What uniform do I need to get started?

The regiment will be able to help you by loaning some uniform for your first outing. All combatants will need to acquire breeches, shirt, boots, hose and gauntlets as soon as possible. Ironsides will also need a buffcoat, lobster-pot helmet, sword and baldrick, whereas dragoons will need a regimental coat, a hat and a doglock musket or carbine with powder flask. In their second season, cavalry troopers are also expected to acquire back and breastplates, pistol holsters and breastplate for the horse and a carbine sling.

How much does it cost?

Family membership is £44, and individual membership £29, and there is also an annual regimental subscription of £5. The main expense, however, is the kit, which costs around £1000 for an ironside. Dragoon kit costs less, but a carbine can still be in the region of £400, dependant on age and manufacturer. The regiment will try to lend kit to new recruits for their first season, but the availbility of loan kit may be limited.

Will I have to make my own clothes?

No, not unless you want to. Everything you need, and more, is available from the traders who attend 'Traders Row' at most events. You can buy all you need from breeches to muskets, boots to buffcoats. These traders are all members of the Sealed Knot themselves and do their best to help fellow members. If you do want to try your hand at making clothes, material and patterns are available from traders, and members of the regiment will be happy to advise and help.

Will I be expected to go to every event?

No. Of course we hope that new members will become regular attendees, but many members are only able to come for a day because of work and other commitments. Often members can only attend a certain number of weekends a year. Don’t worry if this is the situation in your case.

How will I know when events are taking place?

The society publishes a magazine entitled "Orders of the Daye" which is circulated to its members every two months. This gives full details of how to get to battles, and any other society news and comments. Waller’s also has its own newsletter for giving out information about any smaller local events that the Regiment may organise.

How old do I have to be to join?

To join as an Individual Member you have to be 18 years old; 16-18 year olds, however, can join with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Children under the age of 16 have to join as family members with the parent or legal guardian. No one under the age of 16 is allowed onto the battlefield, but there are many ways children can get involved, and they generally love the dressing up and the freedom of the campsites.

Are families encouraged to join?

Yes, there are many families in the Sealed Knot. Twenty years ago the membership tended to be young single people, but of course now they have families of their own, which they bring to musters, making the Sealed Knot a very family orientated society.

How do you ensure safety during the battles?

What we do is potentially dangerous and accidents do happen, but they are few and far between and rarely serious. Before you are allowed to use either a musket or a sword you must undergo a comprehensive training programme and pass a test in not only the use and maintenance of the weapons, but also all safety issues associated with them. Riders must pass a riding test, and also a mounted sword test before riding in a battle, and only if they show themselves to be competent and safe are they allowed to ride again. Qualified inspectors make sure that the rules are followed on the field, and all officers are trained in safety. If an accident does occur, we have qualified medical personnel and doctors who attend every muster and ensure that anyone hurt receives the very best of care.

How well will I be expected to ride?

Cavalry troopers need to be able to ride safely and securely at all paces, with and without stirrups, up and down hill and using only one hand on the reins. Dragoons need to have full control of the horse at walk and trot. Both arms need to be able to understand and follow cavalry orders, and to maintain formation at various paces.

Can I fight even if I’m female?

You most certainly can. Waller’s has female troopers and officers in both the cavalry and dragoon troops; just be prepared to disguise you more obviously feminine characteristics!

Do I have to fight?

No, we have roles for non-combatants of both sexes, such as Living History, watering the combatants during battles or horseholding for the dragoons.

Do I have to be able to ride?

No, although a familiarity with horses is definitely an advantage. We have some non-combatant roles which do not require the participants to be mounted, and Living History can also be undertaken on foot. We are, however, very much a cavalry regiment, so those who are frightened of or allergic to horses would struggle.