Soldiers of Newcastle's Foote
Myah Erasmus and Bob Hedley are members of the Sealed Knot who were in our neighbourhood this weekend to celebrate the 368th anniversary of the Battle of Marston Moor which took place 3 miles to the south of Red House. Myah and Bob were staying on our caravan site and very kindly posed for a photo shoot in the chapel before setting out for the annual remembrance march on the battle site on Sunday. They are both part of the Marquess of Newcastle's Regiment of Foote who were famous for their white coats and, more tragically, the defiant stand at the Battle of Marston Moor when they were almost totally wiped out after they refused to surrender to Cromwell's army.
Myah is a Snapsack "Boy" who would supply the soldiers with food and water. Formerly Bob fought with a pike but has since moved on to the more "genteel" occupation of the musket, which he can be seen carrying in the picture. His weapon is an English Matchlock Musket and, hanging from the leather bandalier around his neck, are the twelve bottles each containing enough powder for one shot.