London Trained Bands

The London Trained Bands were a part-time military force in the City of London from 1559 until they were reconstituted as conventional Militia regiments in 1794. The system was inaugurated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for the defense of the realm.

In early Stuart times arms and armor were often provided, sometimes other items were provided - such as coats.

Membership of the Trained Bands was compulsory for freeholders, householders and their sons. Members of the Trained Bands met regularly at the Artillery Garden in Bishopsgate and the Military Garden in St Martin’s-in-the-Field to practice weapon handling, drilling and other military activities under the guidance of officers from the Honorable Artillery Company.

Before the Civil War there were four London regiments - the North, South, East and West - comprising a total of 6,000 men in 20 companies. In 1642, as relations between king & parliament worsened, the bands were re-organized into 40 companies of 8,000 men in six regiments named the Red, Blue, Green, White, Orange and Yellow after the color of their regimental flags.

They were employed in patrolling the Thames valley, but also played a critical role at Turnham Green, the siege of Gloucester, and the first battle of Newbury.

In the absence of a regular army, the Trained Bands were the only permanent military units in England when the Bishops' Wars broke out in 1639-40 and the First Civil War followed in 1642.

After the Newbury campaign in 1644 the Trained Bands were not again involved on the battlefield. This was due largely to the rise of the New Model Army, as well as the reluctance of the City authorities and the soldiers themselves for the Trained Bands to participate in operations outside the immediate vicinity of the capital.
London Trained Bands