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Rules of Engagement and Ordinances of Warre for The Roundhead Association and The King’s Army
2. The ECWS has a Health and Safety Policy Statement (Reference 1), agreed by the CofS and CofW. The
Policy Statement sets out the general arrangements for Health and Safety (H&S) within the ECWS and identifies
the key hazards. This document is a supporting document to the ECWS safety documentation and sets out the
rules for military action during battles, skirmishes and displays controlled by Officers holding commissions in the
KA or RA, during events organised by the ECWS. The military commands of the KA and RA are responsible for
ensuring that effective control by commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers is exercised in both 3. Reference is to be made to the detailed generic risk assessments for activities undertaken during engagements for specific safety procedures and safety justification for combat activities (References 2 to 4). GENERAL 1.2 Drums and Colours are to be treated with proper respect and are not to be damaged, torn or mishandled, or captured except by prior agreement. 1.3 No soldier is to use any weapon that has not been issued to him without the permission of a Field Officer (1). 1.4 Officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons carried by their men are appropriate and safe. All edged weapons used in combat are to be blunt and all points rounded (e.g. the radius of a 5 p coin). 1.5 Follow the directions of officers for the conduct of engagements. React to artillery and musketry and take theatrical casualties. (1) Commissioned Officer of the rank of Serjeant-Major or above. 1.7 No person deemed by their Commanding or General Officer to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs (2) is allowed to take the field. 1.8 Appropriate training in seventeenth century drill, use of weapons and safety on the field is to be given, recorded and controlled by Officers. STAFF-WEAPONS & THEIR USE PIKE MATTERS 3.2 When pike blocks have engaged other formed units should not enter the melee. 3.3 Bodies of pike should not attack unformed bodies using the comport method of engagement. 3.4 All initial contact between pike divisions should be at point. 3.5 Individual pikemen shall not enter an ongoing comport press with pike ‘Charged’. SWORDS & THEIR USE 4.2 Others may only draw swords with the express permission of Field Officers, and as directed for drill. 4.3 Swords may be worn in camp, or on the Field of Battle by all. They must be carried in a scabbard. It is usually forbidden to take swords into town, or any public place(4). (2) This includes any member whose physical and/or mental capability is judged to be impaired by a prescribed drug. (3) Commissioned Officer in charge of a division of foot soldiers (e.g. Captain, Captaine-Lieutenant, Lieutenant). (4) Except when taking part as a formed body in a march, parade or display. MUSKETS & THEIR USE 5.2 Great care should be taken regarding the direction and angle of firing of muskets. 5.3 No firearms may be discharged directly at a person or horse. Muskets are not to be discharged towards other members at less than 6 m (20 feet), or towards the public at less than 9 m (30 feet). 5.4 All musketeers shall possess a valid Shotgun Certificate and a Black Powder Certificate. 5.5 Pistols that are operable shall not be used on the battlefield without the permission of the appropriate Army Council. 5.6 No metal ramrods, or wooden ones with metal tips, should be used. Only loose fitting, untipped wooden ramrods are allowed. 5.7 During events all muskets should be locked in vehicles when not in use. It is recommended that security cable secured through trigger guards to cars be used. 5.8 Musketeers should not use short lengths of slowmatch. It is recommended that issued slowmatch should be 450 mm to 610 mm (18” to 24”) long at the start of a battle. 5.9 Loaded muskets are not to be taken into a melee. 5.10 Musketeers with loaded muskets who cannot fire safely or who are loading must retreat if attacked. They must be allowed to retreat. 5.11 Musket Divisions and Artillery crews should not claim to be loaded when they are not. Such deception only encourages disbelief and possible dangerous actions. ARTILLERY 6.2 Gloves must be worn by gunners at all times when working on the gun using
black powder. 6.4 Care should be taken with cannon tools to ensure that material, such as grit, is not accidentally placed down the barrel. 6.5 Great care should be taken regarding the direction and angle of firing of cannon. 6.6 Cannon barrels should be placed at maximum elevation before firing so that any accidentally left material will be fired over the heads of the opposing forces. 6.7 Cannon, in battery, should be positioned at a safe distance from each other. Batteries should be further protected by an artillery guard where appropriate. 6.8 Misfires should be indicated by a tool held horizontally above the head by a crew member standing behind the gun during the waiting period. A loaded gun is indicated by crossed tools over the barrel when a melee develops near the gun. 6.9 Cannon should not be moved when loaded. BLACKPOWDER & EXPLOSIVES 7.2 All regiments using black powder must drill on the battlefield or other agreed place before taking part in a battle, skirmish or drill display. HORSE v FOOT 8.2 It is not permitted to attempt to unhorse a rider. 8.3 Pikemen in formation, when being attacked by cavalry, should either remain static and keep their pikes (and standards etc) still in the “Charge for horse” position with the points aimed to just above the riders’ heads, or if advancing or retiring, keep their pikes level (horizontal) in the “Charge” position. 8.4 Casualties should not be left in long grass without standing soldiers or objects
very close by (to avoid being trodden on by horses). 9.2 Special effects buried in the ground are to be marked with yellow markers or screened (e.g. by brushwood) to prevent cavalry or infantry from approaching them too closely. 9.3 No thunderflashes, effects or smoke canisters are to be thrown around the field. If you find one on the ground, leave it where it is and retire to a safe distance! 9.4 Mobile telephones and radios are not to be brought to within 10 m of any special effect using explosives or its control systems. SAFETY AND FIRST AID 10.2 All persons involved in the handling of black powder should wear clothes, including undergarments, which are made of natural fibres. 10.3 The wearing a white sash or a white sign denotes that that person is a qualified First Aider and that appropriate notice should be taken of their instructions. 10.4 Cannon crews and musket companies must have supplies of medically usable water in close proximity. 10.5 All pikemen and pike sergeants are to wear appropriate headgear. INCIDENTS 11.2 Dangerous Incident or Accident Investigation Report Forms are to be completed by anyone party to an incident with a view to rectification action or amendment of practices, if required, and sent, via Commanding Officers, to the Army Council Secretary for action. MISCELLANEOUS 12.2 There should be no spectators on the battlefield or between the safety barriers5. 12.3 Photographers are only permitted on the battlefield at a spectator event in exceptional circumstances with the permission of the Senior Officer present. They are to be attired in seventeenth century costume and accompanied by a minder who is responsible for their safety. Agreed by the General of The King’s Army and the Lord
General of The Roundhead Association,
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