• No experience or prior knowledge necessary
• All costume and equipment provided for new recruits
• Travel the country and stay in interesting places
• Relax by a campfire or wake up in a castle!
• Inclusive – anyone can take any role that interests them
• Learn new skills
• Families welcome
• Friendly, sociable and fun
• Value for money annual membership
• First event free!

We extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to get involved and join us.

Rawdon’s is a Royalist regiment, on the side of the King, but this has no bearing on the political views or beliefs of its members, nor should you be concerned if you do not support the monarchy.  In fact, we sometimes end up portraying Parliamentarians (Roundheads)!

Our events are normally at weekends. No knowledge or equipment is needed – just the willingness to have a go. We will lend you appropriate clothing and footwear, and we provide the weapons.  As a newcomer you will probably start by trying out a pike or a non-firing musket – you’ll be shown exactly what to do, and given a chance to practice before you take part ‘on the field’.  If battles don’t float your boat or you have a family to take care of, we can always find you a role supporting the soldiers or helping out with our living history displays.

No-one will expect you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, but we do encourage you to have a try at a few different things and see how you feel – you may surprise yourself. There really is a place for everyone; it’s just a matter of trying things out.

We strive to be inclusive, and anyone can have a go at any role that interests them. People of any gender can usually take part in any roles, although battlefield roles in the military divisions of the regiment require participants to wear men’s attire. There is no upper age limit.

You will be appropriately instructed by experienced people before taking part in battles, and have a chance to practice by doing ‘drill’, which is when all the foot soldiers get together and carry out their usual manoeuvres. The English Civil War Society has an impressive safety record but, by their nature, all its activities have an element of risk.  We do our very best to act safely and keep any danger to an absolute minimum.

There are lots of families with children of all ages in the Regiment and the wider Society.  Children under 16 can’t take part in battles, but they can wear costume and join in with other activities, including living history.

Event organisers arrange campsites where most people stay; some people prefer local hotels or B&Bs. If you don’t have your own tent, we can probably lend you one.

There is normally lots of down-time, which gives you a chance to explore and relax. Our events are often in interesting places or historical sites, and sometimes we are part of bigger multi-period shows. As well as the re-enacting, we also have a lot of fun on the social side of events, after the public have gone home.

If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact us. We look forward to meeting you in a field (or a campsite or a pub) somewhere soon!