The Sealed Knot Society | The English Civil War

Boscobel house is a former hunting lodge set in the beautiful Shropshire countryside and now owned by English Heritage. Its main claim to fame is that it is the site of the famous oak tree where Charles II hid after the battle of Worcester and contains two priest holes reputedly use by the king.

Every June our friends from Sir Richard Bagot's regiment hold a schools' week and several Owen's recently joined them in setting up a soldier's camp which is visited by up to 300 local children daily. For those that have yet to take part in this event you are missing a real treat. The camp consists of several stations which the children visit in turn, the musketeers, the pike, the horse, the wise woman, the kitchen, the suttler, the bodger and the officer's tent. Schools can vary from little year 1 and 2's to 16 year olds from a special school so you have to be adaptable. I was in the musketry section so we three musketeers talked about uniforms, equipment and tactics followed by a demonstration of loading and firing. We also acted as sentries, challenging each group as they arrived. No sooner had one group finished than the next were on their way. In the pike section the children went through pike drill using mini pikes and received a certificate. Food was prepared by Viv and the other ladies, all authentic and excellent. In the evenings we sat at a long table eating and drinking. This was usually followed by various activities, a walk to White Lady Priory, practicing the noble art of archery, horse riding courtesy of Rob and Debbie from Waller's Horse and of course finishing around a camp fire with more than a few well earned drinks and a few songs. For those that enjoy interacting with the public or want to hone their skills, increase their knowledge and totally immerse themselves in an incredibly friendly and supportive atmosphere I can heartily recommend it. This was my second Boscobel and I have already booked in for next year. If you can get the time off, try it.