The Battlefields Trust is a registered charity concerned with the preservation and presentation of battlefield sites, primarily - but not exclusively - within the UK. As part of its function to inform and educate it organises a number of study days centred at the Tower of London Education Centre. This latest study day (25th February 1996) took as its theme the Common Soldier, and consisted of four lectures/demonstrations and an open discussion.

Battle of Langport

The proceedings were opened by Michael Rayner, for the Battlefields Trust, who gave an overview of the Trust's activities, and details of its appeal for funds to purchase part of the field of the Battle of Langport. The Trust aims to construct a safe stopping space, with interpretation material and room for re-enactors, on this site which lies on the initial Parliamentarian position. There are already several Public Footpaths across the Battlefield, and the landowner seems willing to allow a permissive path giving greater access to the site as a whole. The general idea is to give a model to local councils on how to "exploit" their local battlefields as a tourist attraction/educational amenity, as a counter to neglect or destructive development.

Roman Army from Caesar to Hadrian

The first speaker of the day was Chris Haines, from the Ermine Street Guard, accompanied by a typical legionary of the latter 1st century AD, and an auxiliary trooper of the same period. A description of the Roman Army from Caesar to Hadrian was given, with special reference to the style of equipment, style of fighting, terms and conditions, and the role of auxiliaries. This was backed by slides of the Guard in action and practical anecdotes - for example the use of the pilum in combat to act as an encumbrance to an opponents use of his own shield - the bent soft metal spike of the pilum can then be reforged later for reuse, the construction of a goat hide tent (all hand sewn) which took 700 hours Considering a tent was required for every 8 men, the manufacturing effort required to supply this one item was clearly phenomenal (even making allowance for greater experience and organisation in their construction). An opportunity to handle equipment was given at the end of the talk.

Agincourt

The next speaker, Paul Hitchin, presented an archer of Agincourt, first in character and then in a detailed discussion of techniques, equipment, and tactics. Again practical experience cited gave fascinating insights such as - the long range arrows used to reach up to 400 yards, whilst capable of producing horrific wounds, would bounce off an akheton (padded jacket) or brigadine! The bodkin arrow (armour piercing) would only pass through plate armour at not much more than 50 yards. Again items of equipment (helmets and weapons) were available to try for weight at the end of the talk.

The Middle Ages Soldier

Matthew Bennet followed on with an open discussion on the common soldier in the middle ages. This confirmed a point which Paul Hitchin had touched on, the soldier was not common! A certain status was required to arm a man, even an archer came from a class earning 40-100 shillings a year (well above the average wage for the lowest classes), the idea of a peasant army is clearly flawed.

English Soldier 1596

After a buffet lunch, David Trim continued the day with a vivid description of the world a 20 year soldier of 1596 inhabited. The English soldier of this time would have lived in a society used to near constant war, there having been few breaks in hostilities of one sort or another in the previous 100 years (wars of religion in France, the revolt of the Netherlands, battle in Scotland and Ireland). The immediacies of life - food, drink, and pay - dominated the soldier's life. Revolt of troops could result from a lack of good beer!

As was pointed out, on campaign barrelled beer was, effectively, the only "pure water" available to the troops. The decline of the bow in this period was touched on, with the idea proposed that, had the bow in fact remained an effective weapon, then the professional soldier of the time would not have wanted to be rid of it in favour of handguns.

English Civil War Soldiers

The last talk of the day was by Alan Turton of Basing House, on the soldiers of the English Civil War. This concentrated on equipment and conditions in the arrny. The key theme was that both sides would have looked much the same, although the Parliamentarian cavalry may have had more "Lobster pot" helmets than the Royalists, because Parliament controlled the main armouries. The Royalists would have had to import armour of foreign style.

In any case, after 1643 very little armour was purchased by either side, perhaps indicating a decline in its use. Probably because it was a civil war both sides tended to treat wounded and prisoners of war well, failings on the Royalist side in this regard were put down to lack of facilities and money.

Overall

The day came to a close just after 4pm, having started at 10am. Coffee and tea had been available during the breaks between the talks. Caliver Books, who were in attendance throughout the day did a steady trade in the breaks, as did the Battlefields Trust bookstall. Overall a fascinating day, excellent value at 13.50 pounds (including food and coffee). Future days are highly recommended, with the only reservation being that it is quite difficult to get to the venue by 10am on a Sunday if travelling from outside London. The next study day (6/10/96) is concerned with the First World War and is again priced at 13 50 pounds. Details on this can be had from: Alastair Bantock, 78 High Street, Ecton, Northants, NN6 OQB Membership enquiries for the Battlefields Trust should be directed to Michael Rayner, Meadow Cottage, 33 High Green, Brooke, Norwich, NR15 1HR. Details of the Langport Appeal can be had from the same address.

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