Interested in Joining?

Questions you might have.

Q: How much does it cost to join?
Membership fees are as follows (correct at start of 2010):
Family £45.00
Individual (25 years and over) £28.00
Young Persons (18 - 24) £22.50
Minors (16-18) £10.00 (with parental consent)
Single Parent Family £30
All above subject to a £6.00 Enrolment Fee.
If you want to attend one muster as a taster you can pay £18 for an individual, or £23 for a family - two adults and up to four children, for the weekend. This is deductible from your yearly membership if you decide to join.

Q: What uniform do I need to get started?
The regiment will supply you with all you need to take the field for your first few musters if possible. If you decide to carry on, you will need to buy a regimental jacket and breeches as soon as possible. You will probably also need a shirt, and othe basics. Other equipment and weapons will be loaned to you until you are sure what role you wish take.

Q: Will I have to make my own clothes?
No, not unless you want to! Everything you need, and more, is available from the traders who attend 'Traders Row' at most events. You can buy all you need from breeches to muskets, shoes to drums. These traders are all members of the Sealed Knot themselves, and do their best to help fellow members.

Q: Will I be expected to go to every event?
No. Of course every unit commander hopes their new members will become regular attendees, but many members are only able to come for a day because of work and other commitments. Often members can only attend a certain number of weekends a year. Do not worry if this is the situation in your case.

Q: How will I know when events are taking place?
Godolphin’s Regiment has its own newsletter (called Saffron Band), which gives details of upcoming events and other regimental news and comments, often with reviews by members about recent events, and pictures of the Regiment. We also have a members web community, both within the regiment and within the Sealed Knot. There are also monthly pub meetings in our local areas.

Q: How old do I have to be to join?
To join as an Individual Member in your own right, you have to be 18 years old. However, 16-18 year olds can join with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Below 16 years you have to join as family members with the parent or legal guardian. No one under the age of 16 years is allowed onto the actual battlefield.

Q: What can I do?
See our page on Roles within the Regiment on The Regiment page.

Q: Can I join as an Officer?
No. Promotion through Godolphin’s is by merit and ability. Even if you are keen and good at being a soldier, promotion to an Officer could take over 5 years. Promotion is achieved through the ranks, starting at File Leader, through Corporal and Sergeant to Elder Sergeant and then onto the Officer ranks. Godolphin’s have a strict code of conduct and skill requirements for all ranks, which leads to a high standard.

Q: Where do we sleep?
There will be a campsite at every muster and the basic amenities of water and toilets are laid on. You will need a tent and any other camping items you feel you need. At most musters there will be food traders and a beer tent.

Q: Are families encouraged to join?
Yes, there are many families in the Sealed Knot. Twenty years ago the membership tended to be young single people, but of course now they have families of their own, which they bring to meetings, making the Sealed knot a very family orientated society.

Q: Will I be trained?
Yes. Godolphins’ will train you in how to use the weapons, to march and to fight. This is to ensure your safety and the other members of the society. Training is an important part of the hobby and Godolphin’s have special training weekends each year to help new and old member improve their skill and knowledge.

Q: What does a typical 'battling' weekend entail?
A typical 'battling’ weekend starts with meeting your mates and pitching your tent. This is quickly followed by social evening. After breakfast the following morning, you’ll do some weapons training or drill. This helps build on your skills and improves teamwork within the Regiment. After lunch, it’s onto the Battlefield. The battle will normally last around two hours during which time you’ll be fighting and using the skills learnt during training. After the ‘battle’ you relax and socialise for as long as you like. The final day, takes the same form, only you return back to the 21st century slightly fitter and contented having let out all your frustrations.

Q: How do you know who wins the Battle?
During the battle the opposing sides will fight to an outline script. The script will indicate which side wins and the major features of the battle. It is then down to the commanders of the Army and Regiments to fight the battle how they wish, as long as the script is followed. During the battle you will be involved in a number of small combats, during which, the teamwork, skill and tactics of the Regiment will create the true winners or losers. Even if the script indicates that we lose, we still fight to win these small combats. Q: How do you know if you're 'dead'? Simple, during the small combats if you’re struck a ‘killing’ blow, you go down or withdraw from the combat. In this way, after about two minutes, one side will be the obvious winner of the combat. Only teamwork and skill keep you alive.

Q: Once ‘dead’ do I stay down for the whole battle?
No, after each combat, the Regiment reforms and the ‘dead’ come back to life. Only at the very end of the battle, will casualties start to stay down when killed.

Q: How Do I Join?
Contact Richard, who will be only too happy to provide you with a membership form and guide you through the task of completing the simple form and will answer any questions you might have.

Richard Spiers 01925 791606 r.a.spiers@btinternet.com

Or Write to: Richard Spiers O/C Pike 23 Phythian Crescent Penketh Warrington Cheshire WA5 2BT

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