The Regiment Today

The Tower Hamlets Trayned Bandes was formed as a re-enactment unit by a small group of dedicated enthusiasts over the winter of 1988. The regiment has since gone from strength to strength and is now regarded as one of the best units in the country. Our members are dedicated to the ultimate goal of achieving maximum authenticity, in terms of both appearance and drill, whilst at the same time deriving maximum enjoyment from the experience. As we enter our Twentieth Anniversary season, we are determined to maintain and develop further these high standards.

The regiment embraces single members and family groups in equal proportions. Tower Hamlets members come from all walks of life and contrary to seventeenth century practice, hail from all over England. All you need is the drive to join and enjoy yourself in the comradeship and friendly atmosphere of our regiment. The knowledge and skills of a 17th century environment will soon follow.

Our events take many forms. There are massed pitched battles that include cannon and cavalry. This is the big re-enactment experience being among many regiments, delivering tight volleys of musket fire towards Royalist lines, or advancing shoulder to shoulder with pikes charged and muskets clubbed ready to engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

Further to this, we present to the public for organizations such as English Heritage 'Living History' and siege events that are scripted in such a way as to offer the public and sponsor maximum enjoyment and value for money. Living History events are usually sited at castles or in other period settings which we occupy along with our period tented camp. These often smaller events allow more room for free skirmishing, where groups as small as three or four are sent out under the supervision of a corporal to 'harass' the enemy leading to Company size actions. There is even more scope for 'character development' and cameo roles for those with the inclination to take them on.

Outside of the re-enactment activities for public display the regiment organises banquets, usually 'out of season' and along an authentic theme, training weekends and events designed for the entertainment of the regiment alone - these take the form of skirmishes only open to members of the regiment, with no audience.

As the Tower Hamlets Trayned Bandes we can be recognised by our red flag (trophy), silver palm leaves and motto, the venice (brick) red doublets and sleeveless leather buff coats of our soldiers and their dignified and professional bearing.

Due to the many theatres and campaigns of the English Civil War it often becomes necessary to take up differing regimental guises to suit particular historical scenarios. We have further identities other than the Tower Hamlets Trayned Bandes.

For certain events we represent the Kyle and Carrick Foot (the Earl of Cassillis's Regiment), a Scots Covenant regiment from Ayrshire. The uniform for these troops included a blue bonnet and hodden grey coat. The added piece of equipment carried by the Scots musketeers was the swine feather which consisted of a six foot shaft with a pike head attached. These replaced the musket rest and offered a great advantage in hand-to-hand fighting. We first took the field as the Kyle and Carrick Foot at the 350th anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Marston Moor, at which this regiment served.

During the period of the New Model Army we adopt the identity of Colonel Thomas Rainsborough's Regiment (the Tower Guards). We still wear our Venice red coats, but for this alter ego we discard the musket rests as by 1645 these were becoming a rare sight on the battlefield. As New Model soldiers we also set aside our buffcoats, which tended to be the province of officers, cavalry and members of the London Trained Bands.

For independent events in the Low Countries we take on the guise of English, Dutch or Spanish regiments.

Photos: John Beardsworth and Rusty Aldwinckle.