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This page details the various society and retinue liveries used by the society. There is one overall society livery that is used in large shows where we are portraying a single unit, and each retinue has there own livery for use in small shows. Each knight is also entitled to their own coat-of-arms and colours. A society badge is worn by those not in livery colours to indicate the association at larger events where we are portraying a single unit.
When fighting and large battles we portray the retinue of the Talbot Earls of Shrewsbury. The livery colours we use for this are Red and Black with the red on the wearers left side, the badge is the Talbot dog. (see the pictures below).
It is part of the basic standards that all members have this livery in some form. Lower ranks and those without full armour should have a surcoat or livery jacket in the colours, with the badge sewn on to the upper left (red) side as shown in the picture below. The badge can either be on its own, or placed on on a small heater shield shaped background (usually a dark purple). The surcoat is normally made from a light cotton calico or canvas, with a white lining. This is one of the items of basic equipment that new recruits must obtain (if you want retinue colours as well and don't want to make/buy two surcoats, then have a reversible one, with society one side, retinue the other)
Those In full armour, or wearing their own colours, can wear a society badge consisting of a heater shield background in red and black with the badge in the middle (as shown below). This is made of thick leather and laced to the armour or surcoat.
We have members able to make badges and surcoats and the society normally keeps a stock to sale to new recruits. Current price is £5 for the badge and £10 for the surcoat. Contact your retinue leader or any senior official if you want one.
Some Information on the various Talbot Earls of Shrewsbury is available on the following links:
This is the retinue of Sir Edmund Mortimer. Details of the character and member who portrays him are available on his photo page.
Colours [TBD]
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on the left (blue) side of the livery surcoat or jacket.
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worn on the left side of the livery surcoat or jacket
See the picture of Hewe d'Ambrey for a picture of a surcoat, (his has a fancy dagged bottom, although that is not necessary).
This is the retinue of Sir Andrew Trollop.
Sir Andrew began his military career in France in the 1420's as a man at arms, by 1450 he had become Master of the Port of Calais and commander of the garrison there. In 1459 The Earl of Warwick brought Trollop and a large part of the Calais garrison over to England to fight for the Yorkist cause. Shortly afterwards Trollop and his men defected to the Lancastrian side on the eve of battle contributing to the Yorkist Rout of Ludford. Trollop went on to become one of the main strategists on the Lancastrian side until he fell in the Battle of Towton in 1461.
Trollop was not a noble but a professional soldier who rose through the ranks.
The retinue represents a body of professional soldiers of the Calais garrison and portrays armour and equipment from the earlier part of the hundred years war such as heater shields and a mix of mail and plate.
Sir Andrews coat of arms is three silver stags on a green background, shown below. Livery Colour for surcoats and jackets is Green with the stag badge on the wearers left.
This is a mercenary retinue under the leadership of the mercenary captain Sir Simon Schultz. Note that unlike our other retinues this is not an historical character, rather a historical persona developed by the retinue leader.
Sir Simons full coat of arms is shown below. The blazon is: Quartered 1st and 4th for Mortimer per pale sable and gules a talbot passent argent over all a baton sinister or. 2nd and 3rd for Schultz quartered 1st and 4th sable a mullet argent. 2nd and 3rd argent an arm embowed in armour holding a dagger.below.
The retinue colours are a silver chevron on a black background, with a silver star in the top right, shown below. This is worn by troops on surcoats and livery jackets or as a badge.
This out most northerly retinue based in Lancashire and is set up as a free company under the leadership of a captain.
Each Knight has there own coat of arms, and can wear a surcoat/tabard with it on if they wish, a society badge (as shown above) can then be worn over it when necessary. Normally only those with 14C or early 15C do this as wearing your own arms was not so common during later dates (makes you to much of a target!).
Before becoming a knight members can plan ahead and decide on the arms but can't wear then until knighted. If there character was historically a knight then until knighted they portray him as what ever rank they are.
