The Sealed Knot Society | The English Civil War

If you're like me and most other people who join the Sealed Knot Society, you will have already taken part in events without realising it. Did you stand with the crowd and watch a major battle? Clap at the end of a mini skirmish? Walk around a living history camp? Chat to the re-enactors? If you did any of these things you have already participated and broken the ice. You will have seen musketeers, pikemen, horse, officers, artillery, characters working the crowd line and women. Or, to be correct, you will have seen women taking on all of those roles. Thats what is so great about The Knot females are not restricted to traditionally female roles. Yes, you can argue about authenticity, and we are continually striving to achieve that, but we have to strike a balance with the 21st century and take account of the fact that women can be feminine as well as being strong, pro-active and sometimes just as keen to experience the thrill of going into battle armed with a pike, musket or anything else as the men.

There is evidence of women 'counterfeiting their sex' and taking part in battles in the 17th century and also many well-documented examples of strong women who withstood long sieges when their men folk were away.

My first event as a member was at Sudely Castle several years ago. I went just to watch from close quarters (or so I thought). Owen's had other ideas. Before I realised what was happening, a pair of lucky red fighting pants had been thrust upon me, I was armed with a dummy musket and marched right up a hill straight in to the middle of a major battle. By the time the battle ended I had been shot at, chased by horse, shouted at, drenched in rain, rolled in a cocktail of horse poo and mud and killed several times in hand to hand fighting. My adrenalin didn't stop rushing for a fortnight and I was hooked. It was a musketeer's life for me. Not bad for a five foot 49 year old! Sometimes, up close to the public I will adopt a womens role at places like Chirk Castle, which is one of our unmissable regular living history events.

As I said, its your choice to adopt any of a variety of roles. If you want a thrill then muck in with a major battle and experience at first hand the excitement, uncertainty and confusion of life as a common soldier. If you love costume and a bit of bodice ripping then don female garb and discover the joy of a corset and heaving bosom that you never knew you had lurking under your vest. If you are a craftswoman, can sew, make lace, would enjoy recreating original recipes or anything else, please share your skills with us. If you have children of any age, come and give them the chance to experience history for real and be part of our safe extended family.

In fact, just come and you will find that your own skills, strengths and character will naturally lead you to develop your own role in Owen's.

Oh, and remember, as women we do have an advantage. We can be male or female. The blokes dont tend to look too good in dresses!