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Civil War IronsideA
Civil War IronsideThis well armed and protected cavalry trooper (recreated by the English Civil War Society) - in this case, one of General Cromwell's Ironsides - is typical of the cavalry that fought on both sides, although the amount of equipment did vary according to availability. Although the distinctive lobster pot helmet with triple-bar face guard is often thought purely to be a Parliamentarian piece of equipment, in fact Royalist troopers often wore it too when they could. This trooper is particularly well protected by both a buff leather coat and iron back & breast, most troopers thinking themselves lucky to have one or the other. Below the buff coat, the legs are enclosed by "bucket top" boots, which can be fashionably rolled down when so desired. The trooper is armed with a sword and, suspended from the buff leather shoulder belt, a carbine (a short musket). A pair of pistols were also often carried, although this soldier has not had any issued.
This soldier has, like many other Parliamentarians, long hair. The idea of dour, cropped-haired "Roundheads" and dashing long-haired "Cavaliers" is largely a Victorian myth. Hair was long or short on both sides, generally worn according to personal taste.
The cavalry fought in regiments, sub-divided into troops of (ideally) around 60-70 men. At the start of the war, many units fought by advancing up to the enemy, discharging their pistols and wheeling to the rear to reload. However, this was soon found to be far less efficient than the charge, with the horsemen advancing boot to boot at a steady trot to engage the enemy hand to hand. At Winceby, the day was won for Parliament by a brilliantly-timed charge led by Sir Thomas Fairfax, routing the Royalist horse and dragoons, confused by an ambiguous command from their leader and already disordered by a previous charge made by Oliver Cromwell.
Cromwell's troopers quickly earned a fearsome reputation on the battlefield for their fighting prowess and excellent discipline, scattering their foes and greatly contributing to victory in set-piece battles such as Marston Moor in 1644 and Naseby in 1645.
Photo: Neil Holmes.
Links to Friends of Bolingbroke Castle Home Page
A brief history of Bolingbroke Castle
A brief history of the English Civil War
360th anniversary re-enactment
Other links:
The Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire page for Bolingbroke Castle
Lincolnshire Heritage Project guide to the Castle
Famous Bolingbrokes through history
Another account of the Battle of Winceby 1643
English Civil War timeline and information
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