Roles: Pikeman, Musketeer, Drummer, Water Carrier
Pikeman
Norfolke pikemen (with our first all female front rank) advancing over the berm at Wressle Castle.
Photo by Lee Spencer. August 2024
Pikemen are half the backbone of a pike and musket regiment. Their role is twofold, to protect musketeers from cavalry attacks, and to attack blocks of enemy pikemen.
Pikeman is a role enjoyed by many members of the Norfolkes, though you do need to be reasonably fit and strong. The pikes are 15ft long and heavy to carry, even though good technique does make a difference. Being in a pike push is rather like being in a rugby scrum!
We normally field 10-20 people in our pike block, a good number.
The Norfolke pike are notorious for enjoying a good push – a heady mixture of adrenaline and team bonding. The historical picture is of Swiss pike in 1550, but as you can see below, things haven’t changed much since then!
Musketeers
Musketeers, let’s face it, are people who like to make a big bang!
Training and safety are very important when it comes to muskets. You will not be allowed to use a loaded weapon, be it matchlock or flintlock, until you have been thoroughly trained and tested in its use. However, you may be allowed to use a replica, non-functioning, musket in a battle, if you want to get involved early on.
Should you choose to acquire your own musket, you will need either a firearm or a shotgun licence for it. You’ll also need to be able to store it securely, and to know how to deal safely with black powder. It’s not simple or cheap to have your own musket, but there are many who consider it worth the effort.
Drummer
Norfolke Trayned Bandes have a number of members who play the drum. We are always looking for more people to take on such roles, so if fighting with a pike or musket is not for you, then why not enlist as a musician? We have a regimental drums, we can loan basic kit, all we need is someone who can learn a pattern of drumming.
Drums were used historically to relay instructions on the battlefield, and you’ll be taught any necessarily patterns, as well as the march that was used in this era.
Water Carriers
Water carriers perform an important role. A typical battle will last for around an hour, and people can get very hot and thirsty during that time. Imagine a really hot day with no breeze, and you can see why water carriers are needed
Water carriers will do drill with the rest of the Regiment, as it’s important to know how to be safe on the battlefield. You will learn the best time to offer water to troops, most often when they’re moving to the back of the formation, or when they have a brief respite from active combat. You’ll also need to know what to do when cavalry approach, and how to keep out of dangerous situations.
As a water carrier, you will be provided with a leather container to hold the water bottle in. The regiment will normally be able to provide uniform for you, as long as you let them know in advance that you will be taking this role.
In the long term you would be expected to acquire your own uniform.
