4th
May 1972
CAVALIERS AND ROUNDHEADS
The
days of the Cavaliers and the Roundheads are being revived in
Pontefract, where recruitment for the Society of Cavaliers has begun,
writes George Houghton. The movement was founded about four years ago
after Brigadier Peter Young, a distinguished soldier and leading Civil
War historian, invited some 60 friends to an open-air party in Cavalier
costume. The idea of Forming an ‘Army’ of the period caught on, and
units were set up. Within two years over 1,000 paid up members were ‘enlisted’.
Local
captain is Mr. Brian Dalton, a civil servant, of Mill Hill Close,
Darrington, who is seeking recruits for the Earl of Newcastle’s
Lifeguard - the name of the unit stationed locally during the Civil War.
Aims
and objects of the Society are, by recruiting an army of the 17th
century, to re-enact the battles, sieges, and other actions of the Civil
War, wherever possible on the actual site and anniversary: to produce
pageants, make films or publish books and papers: and through these main
activities to provide entertainment for members and public alike, at the
same time creating a greater awareness of what was one of the most
significant periods in our history,
Recruits
to both sides are posted to units of their own choice. Yorkshire has
representatives of both Cavaliers and Roundheads, with headquarters at
York and units at York, Shipley, Nether Poppleton and Sheffield. The
Roundhead Association providing the opposition in this ‘war without
enemy’ is an integral part of the movement. Mr Dalton said the Society
aims to honour the memory of those valiant Cavaliers who fought for
their Majesties Charles I and II from the outbreak of the Civil War
until the Restoration;
"Neither
are the stout-hearted Roundheads forgotten, for they fought for what
they believed to be right and no one should doubt their belief in their
cause."
Membership
is open to women as well as men, and children can enlist under certain
circumstances. Subscriptions are £1 for those under 18 years of age,
£1.50 for adults and £2.50 for family membership. Answering the
question "Why join?" Mr. Dalton said people enlisted for a
variety of reasons, primarily for excitement, interest and enjoyment.
Members come from all walks of life, and in an age of increasing
pressures and restrictions, the Society provides an outlet for energies
and inhibitions. He added: "The Sealed Knott has been called a
revolt against the times we live in. Perhaps there is something in
that."
[
1972 Index ]
