The London Trained Bands
The Trained Bands were a part-time militia force that were common in England and Wales during the latter part of the 16th and early 17th centuries.
The system began nationally in 1572 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and aimed to provide a county-based militia for the defence of the realm. The Trained Bands were the primary local military force in the country until the formation of the New Model Army in 1645.
Although every county was expected to organise its own Trained Bands, the size of each varied significantly based on population. The effectiveness of the provincial ‘Bands’ (ie outside London) also varied, and many were criticised as being “Untrained Bands”, largely because they drilled infrequently and were often unwilling to serve outside their home counties. In effect, they did little more than performed local garrison duties or guard county armouries.
The London Trained Bands were different.
As one of the earliest Trained Bands, the London TBs were active from 1559, shortly after the queen ascended the throne. They were primarily concerned with the defence of the City of London and were organized under the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor of London and the City’s aldermen.
Although they were composed largely of householders and apprentices, they trained regularly to maintain order and defend the City. Unlike their provincial counterparts, they became a highly professional, well-equipped militia who played a decisive role in the English Civil War and largely sided with Parliament.
Regiments
Although there is some variation in the detail given by various sources, it seems agreed that during the English Civil War, the Trained Bands were reorganized into six colour-coded regiments. They were arranged around the various wards of the City and each were led by a colonel. The order of precedence was determined by the seniority of the aldermen appointed as colonels.
|
Regiment & Order of Precedence |
Recruiting Wards |
Colonel (April 1642) |
|
1. Red |
Aldgate, Tower, Billingsgate |
Col. Thomas Atkins |
|
2. White |
Cornhill, Langbourne, Lime Street, Broad Street, Bishopsgate |
Col. Isaac Pennington |
|
3. Yellow |
Farringdon Within, Castle Baynard, Aldersgate |
Sir John Wollaston |
|
4. Blue |
Bridge, Walbrook, Bread Street, Candlewick, Dowgate, Vintry, Cheap, Queene Hythe |
Col. Thomas Adams |
|
5. Green |
Coleman Street, Bassishaw, Cripplegate |
Col. John Warner |
|
6. Orange |
Farringdon Without (only one outside the City wall) |
Col. John Towse |
In addition to the six regiments above, the suburban boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and Westminster each maintained their own units under the same Militia Committee command. By 1643, the total number of men across the six regiments and the additional suburbs was approximately 20,000.
By this time, they were under the command of Sergeant-Major-General Philip Skippon, an Englishman who had previously fought in the religious wars that had ravaged Europe.
Training the Trained Bands
From 1611 to 1779, the officers of the City’s Trained Bands were trained by members of the Artillery Company (initially known as the “Fraternity or Guild of Artillery of Longbows, Crossbows and Handgonnes”, and later as the “Honourable Artillery Company” (HAC))
The Artillery Company acted as a breeding ground for officers in the Trained Bands and specialized in artillery training, producing skilled artillery crews who operated cannons, mortars, and other heavy weapons.
Because of the rigorous training and discipline instilled in Artillery Company members, they were often promoted to leadership positions within the Trained Bands. In this role they served as the centre of military expertise, developing standards of drill and discipline that influenced military practice. They also aided the civil authorities within the City by maintaining law and order.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, the London Trained Bands, who had been led and instructed by the Artillery Company, were considered the most skilled units in the country.
Open spaces around London served as the training grounds for recruits into the Bands. Key sites included:
- Artillery Ground (Spitalfields) – This was managed by the Artillery Company and was one of the primary sites for training and drill practice.
- Finsbury Fields – A large open area north of the City frequently used for military exercises.
- Moorfields – Another open space within easy reach of the City popular for assembling and drilling soldiers.
- Southwark – South of the Thames, this area also hosted training sessions for recruits.
The first parade of the six new regiments took place on 10 May 1642 at Finsbury Fields. The men were not professional soldiers but were expected to drill regularly with their pikes, muskets, and armour to maintain readiness for emergencies, such as invasions or uprisings.
Ranks
In the 1640s, a regiment of foot (i.e. men who would walk to confrontations rather than use horses) would usually consist of:
- One Colonel who was overall commander
- One Lieutenant-Colonel who worked as his deputy, second-in-command
- One or two Majors depending on the size of the regiment. They had responsibility for administration, instructing (drilling) the companies, and acting as field officers during battle.
- One Ensign. This was a junior officer entrusted with carrying the company’s colour (standard) during a parade or battle
Within each regiment were 8-10 companies. Each company comprised:
- One Captain who commanded his company
- One Lieutenant who was a junior officer acting as deputy to the captain
There were also sergeants and corporals who held non-commissioned positions
Role of the Trained Bands in the Civil War
During the War, the leadership of the City of London largely supported Parliament and the London Trained Bands, under the leadership of Sergeant-Major-General Skippon, played a crucial role in defending Parliamentary interests
Although their principal role was to defend the City and suppress civil disorder, on occasions they were called upon to help prevent Royalist forces from advancing into London. Notable battles where the London TBs played a critical role were in the standoff at Turnham Green (1642), the relief of Gloucester (1643), and the First Battle of Newbury (1643).
The information in this post is part of the research undertaken when writing the series The Merchant’s of London. A historical family saga set during the English Civil War and subsequent interregnum (1641-1660).
