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Visitors to our Site Sep 1993 - |
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The Guild of St. Michael is the parent organization for all of the military companies at California's Renaissance Pleasure Faire, Southern Faire (RPFS).St. Michael's also maintains Renaissance Reenactment pages full of information about period society, culture, history and activities as well as links to other sources on the Net |
St. Michael's Kids Militia
St. Michael's Kids Militia
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They were border reivers, or raiders, captured and impressed into the service
of Her Majesty.
They carry swords, pistols, short lances and small round shields which
they use on horseback or on the ground with equal effectiveness. They were
commonly used as light cavalry or scouts and were also known as "prickers."
They served with distinction in Ireland and througout Europe.
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The company of foot (portrayed by Blackshire's Company of the Sword (BCOTS)) uses pikes for defense
against cavalry and infantry. They march and fight in a block of spear points
and also comprise the largest number of fighting men. A company of foot is made
up of farmers, apprentices, ex-criminals and others called up to serve as
temporary militia for further protection while the Queen is outside of London.
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The other part of the Company of Foote, the musketeers, or calivermen (caliver is a type of musket) or simply "Shot". Many of the Shot are experienced soldiers, recently returned from the wars in France. Some of the men are new recruits and the Shot are hoping to recruit more men here at the faire.
The guns they use are "matchlocks". Each consists of three separate parts: a lock, a stock and a barrel. And that's where we get the phrase "lock, stock and barrel." Part of what the Shot must do to use their matchlocks is to put the ball in the barrel, take out the ramrod and ram the ball to the end of the barrel. That's where the phrase "ram it home" comes from.
To fire, you fix a burning wick (called a "match") to the serpentine and squeeze the sear bar, or trigger. This draws the serpentine and the match rearward and the match comes down into the pan, igniting the powder in the pan and hopefully setting off the main charge in the barrel. If the main charge does not go off, you have what is called a misfire, or a "flash in the pan."
This company of shot includes an artillery battery managed by the Master of Artillery and his matrosses.
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The Landsknechts are professional soldiers, employed to recruit and train both local men and Dutch refugees to fight in the wars in the Low Countries - as Holland and Flanders are called. These German-speaking mercenaries and their women come from Bavaria, Tyrol, Swabia, and other parts of the Western Holy Roman Empire.
Their brightly colored clothing is "flashy" even by the standards of their own time. Sumptuary laws which keep the English from wearing clothing above their station do not apply to Landsknechts.
Their weapons are halberds, "beef tongues", and the two-handed
sword called the "zweihander" (two-hander), with which they are deadly. They are the most feared, most respected fighting men in Europe.
Landsknecht WebRing - St. Michael's Connection
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Although the military is mostly made up of soldiers, mariners are an important aspect. Most of our battles take place on foreign land far from English shores, thus requiring a powerful and experienced navy. Most ships performing this task were merchant traders hired for this specific purpose. Most men who could perform any kind of skilled labor ended up anywhere else but on a ship. They were populated by pennyless, thieving, often wanted men from ports all over Europe. Many had no choice but to be there or perish elsewhere.
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The St. Michael's Academie of Military Science holds "in-service" training for members of the military and welcomes Shire guests to attend and sit in on such classes as "Maritime Warfare", "Battle Tactics and Techniques", "Discipline and Punishment", "Renaissance Medicine", etc.
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Originally created 23 March 1996 by |