www.CittieofLondonBrigade.org

The Cittie of London Brigade portrays​ a full strength companie of

THE WHITE TRAYNED BANDES
​OF THE CITTIE OF LONDON, 1643

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This is our display unit where we combine the skills and numbers of the whole of the Cittie of London Brigade to create a full strength companie of The White Trayned Bandes of the Cittie of London,1643. The original unit established in 1642 was organised in seven companies. For specific events the whole Cittie of London Brigade comes together and works as a single cohesive unit to give what we believe to be a unique presentation - a full scale Civil War companie complete with two artillery pieces.

The video on the right shows three regiments of the Cittie of London brigade musketeers [plus a few friends] giving the large volleys when the camera faces left.

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Our portrayal of a single unit allows for the practice of authentic drill with numbers comparable to a full strength company of the early Civil War period. We can demonstrate the drills and postures of the period, explaining offensive and defensive formations and bringing significant firepower to bear. We are not just a 'drill squad', these manouvres keep our members effective on the reenactment battlefield, and we explore what does or doesn't work on real soldiers and real cavalry. We can also provide large scale presentations for your enjoyment including living history camps, perform ceremonial and formal functions at your special event, or give artillery, musketry and pike drill displays. We also have experience of providing escort duties for dignitaries and choreographed set-piece arena displays.

Our portrayal of the White Trayned Bandes demonstrates the diverse make-up of our unit. We have no distinctive 'matching' uniforms - bandesmen of the seventeenth century didn't. Their uniform was a buff-coat - a leather jerkin worn over their everyday clothes. We aim to represent men that lived as neighbours, traded with each other, worked for one another, and knew that they would fight together to defend their city and more specifically their families, businesses and very way of life in times of war. Our modern day membership is spread out across the country, but we still hold firm the ideas of fighting together and supporting our friends. 

So, why do we do it? Well its simple really - we really enjoy what we do, we enjoy the opportunities that it offers us, and our members have performed at World Heritage Sites, Historic Royal Palaces, many stately homes, Registered Battlefields and the very best heritage locations.

visit our gallery

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COMMANDING OFFICER
The White Trayned Bandes,  1643

Colonel Alderman Isaac Penington was the eldest son of Robert Penington, a London merchant with estates in East Anglia, and second cousin of John Penington, who became an admiral in Charles I's navy. Penington made his fortune through trading in cloth and French wine. From 1626, he acted as financial agent to Admiral Penington. Through his second wife, Mary Wilkinson, whom he married in 1629, he extended his commercial interests to include a partnership in her family's brewery business. Penington and his wife were zealous Puritans and members of the congregation of St Stephen's in Coleman Street.

Penington became involved in politics in 1638 when he was elected as a London sheriff. In 1639, he became an alderman, and in 1640 was elected as a London MP to both the Short and Long Parliaments. He led demands for the abolition of Episcopacy and was active in enforcing the destruction of idolatrous images in London churches. During the early 1640s, he worked with fellow militant Puritan John Venn to mobilise support against the King's unpopular advisers Strafford and Laud. Penington used his influence in the City of London to raise funds for Parliament, and in January 1642, may have sheltered the Five Members after the King's failed attempt to arrest them.

When Parliament removed the Royalist Sir Richard Gurney from office in August 1642, Penington was appointed lord mayor in his place. He became a member of the City militia committee in September 1642 and exhorted the citizens to build fortifications for the defence of London. He was appointed lieutenant of the Tower of London in July 1643. Penington was uncompromising in his hostility to the King's cause. He was replaced as lord mayor by the more moderate Sir John Wollaston in October 1643, but continued in his role as an intermediary between Parliament and the City.

In January 1649, Penington was appointed a commissioner of the High Courts of Justice. He attended the King's trial, but did not sign the death warrant. However, he assisted Mayor Thomas Andrews in proclaiming the abolition of monarchy in the City, and was a member of the Council of State from 1649-52. Penington's fortunes declined during the 1650s. He was obliged to resign from his office as alderman in 1657 because of financial difficulties. His eldest son Isaac Penington junior (1616-79) became a Quaker, while another son became a Catholic priest.

Penington surrendered at the Restoration, hoping for leniency because he had not signed the King's death warrant. His remaining lands were confiscated and he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Tower, where he died in December 1661.

Keith Lindley, Isaac Penington, Oxford DNB, 2004

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THE WHITE TRAYNED BANDES
OF THE CITTIE OF LONDON
​Companie  Standards 1643 & 2018

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THE WHITE TRAYNED BANDES OF THE CITTIE OF LONDON
Battle  Honours  1642 - 1644

The regiment took part in the following actions:
1642

• The stand-off at Turnham Green

1644

• The Battle of Cheriton (March'44)
• The siege of Bishop Waltham

Regimental Companies September 1643

• Colonel Alderman Isaac Penington, his Captain-Lieutenant Richard Verner;
• Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Davies, who is a slopmaker for seamen near Billingate;
• Major Thomas Chamberlain, a merchant who lives near London Hall;
• 1st Captain Thomas Player, who is a hosier that lives on Fish St Hill;
• 2nd Captain Christopher Whichcott, who is a merchant. He went on to become Colonel of the Green Auxiliaries and was also Governor of Windsor Castle;
• 3rd Captain William Manby, who holds the post of Clerk of Leathersellers Hall;
• 4th Captain Joseph Vaughan

September 1643

• 600 muskets 
• 520 pikes
• 70 officers (1190) in 7 companies

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THE WHITE TRAYNED BANDES OF THE CITTIE OF LONDON
Commanding  Officer  2019

This is our Commanding Officer - Colonel-General Jon Courtney-Thompson. He has been a member of the Sealed Knot for over quarter of a century serving as a pikeman and Regimental Ensign before climbing the ranks. Jon is responsible for the 280+ members of the Cittie of London Brigade.

Jon uses his skills as an architect to meticulously plan and deliver our events in a creative and carefully scripted way ; but don't think that this is a one man show; all of the Commanding Officers within the Cittie of London Brigade have specialist skills which collectively make us such a professional and authentic unit. In turn they have the support and knowledge of their members which gives us not only numbers, but also a depth of knowledge and understanding that can be matched by very few.

​"When you combine our knowledge of working with prestigious Heritage Venues, Film and TV Production companies, Companies and City Corporations, we are a very experienced and professional unit. If you would like to find out more about what we could do for you, please use the contact form opposite. We look forward to working with you. Thank You". 

​www.CittieofLondonBrigade.org
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THE WHITE TRAYNED BANDES OF THE CITTIE OF LONDON, 1643
​What can we do for you?

The members of The White Trayned Bandes of the Cittie of London are experienced reenactors, with many plaudits and credits to their names. Our members have worked with the following organisations:

• The Tower of London - multiple events;
• Fort Nelson Military Tattoo - Arena Displays; Presented the Salute and provided an Honour Guard for General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL - Guest of Honour;
• Filming & Historical Advisers to the BBC, Maya Vision, Tile Films and Inspired Productions;
• English Heritage - Festival of History, Kelmarsh Hall, numerous other venues;
• Royal Historic Palaces - Hampton Court Palace, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle;
• Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire;
• Crowland Abbey, Lincolnshire;
• The Royal Armouries - events at Leeds, The Tower of London, Fort Nelson;
• Elemental Force at Nottingham Castle - providing drums and colours in support of a major multimedia Arts Council funded presentation;
• Film Credits with numerous TV Production companies;

As a unit within the Sealed Knot we can offer the following:

• Ceremonial & Escort Duties for civic and formal occasions offering a full companie turnout or smaller groups i.e. Halberdiers, Drums and Colours, Pikemen or Musketeers. We also have two artillery pieces within the unit to make your event go with a bang! (Subject to space requirements and relevant permissions);
• Drums and Colour for Banquets and Ceremonial Functions and Events;
• Honour Guards and welcoming guests to your event;
• Military Tattoo displays;
• Parade & Displays of a 17th Century Foot Regiment;
• Regimental Camp - A military Living History camp;
• Civilian Living History & Cameo Displays for your event;
• Artillery Salutes and Displays. (Subject to space requirements and relevant permissions);
• Musket displays and firing of musket and cannons. (Subject to space requirements and relevant permissions);
• Civil War Battle Reenactments, either on our own, with additional invited units or with the whole of our parent organisation the Sealed Knot. We can arrange battles from the small 'Mini' musters through to 'Major Musters' involving hundreds of soldiers on the battlefield, numerous pieces of artillery, and two regiments of cavalry.

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THE WHITE TRAYNED BANDES OF THE CITTIE OF LONDON, 1643
Military  Assets  2018

We pride ourselves on the assets that the modern day Cittie of London Brigade can bring together for the presentation of a companie of The White Trayned Bandes of the Cittie of London 1643. The five units that make up the brigade all have unique attributes and qualities that contribute to the overall presentation. As a military unit we are able to present the following:

• Up to 50 Pikemen;
• Up to 50 Musketeers;
• A ceremonial Companie of Halberdiers;
• Seven Companie Standards (see above) flourished by Brigade & Companie Ensigns;
• A Massed Companie of Drums under a Brigade Drum Major;
• Two pieces of Artillery (and can call on more);
• Precision drill and manouvres perfected on the Civil War battlefields of England, Wales, Scotland and also as mercenaries fighting in the Low Countries;
• High levels of authenticity in equipment and drill, based on extensive research over many years;
• A vast amount of knowledge throughout the unit that all are willing to share through audience interaction, drill displays and Living History displays.

In addition to these military assets we are able to offer the following extensive Living History displays:

• Regimental Camp - a full regimental set-up including Commanding Officer Pavilion, Companie Captain's Tents, Ranks of Soldiers's Tents, shelters and Cooking Shelters.
• Baggage Trayne - usually an addition to the side of a Regimental Camp featuring Living History specialists demonstrating skills and crafts from the period.
• Artillery Battery - in addition to the Regimental Camp we use our Artillery pieces and gabions to create gun emplacements for siege work. The Battery is protected by halberdiers and firelock musketeers and offers a unique display when coupled with the continuous barrage these guns can lay down throughout the display.

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THE WHITE TRAYNED BANDES OF THE CITTIE OF LONDON, 1643
​Why  do  we  do  it?

This is simply great fun. We offer reenactors the chance to experience what its like to take part in large scale unit formations which are authentic. That is unusual, and a valuable research tool for historians, military historians and researchers, and for the better understanding of the military structures, commands, postures and drills of a seventeenth century militia. 

We also give our sponsors and event planners a sense of scale which is not usually seen - we are big, noisy and impressive. We can bring an enormous amount of firepower to bear, a large living history presence, and a fascinating insight into the workings of a full sized Civil War company.

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