Pikes at the Palace: English civil war re-enactors to march through London

"So, on Sunday 25th January, members of the reenactment society will converge on The Mall from all across the country, some arriving already dressed in buff coats and broad-brimmed hats, others changing into period clothing on arrival. There are pikes to be shouldered, muskets checked, and a few tentative practice swings as old drill is recalled, before the ranks are set and order restored."

"The assembly takes place at the end of The Mall beside St James's Palace, with the main march stepping off at around 11am and proceeding towards Horseguards Parade. There, a short service is held, and at about 12:30pm, a small detachment peels away from the main body and passes beneath the arches to the Banqueting House. There, a wreath will be laid on the spot where Charles I met his end."

"Members of the King's Army are careful with their language: they never speak of an "execution", a term which implies lawful authority, but of a killing they maintain was illegal. The loyal cheer for King Charles can still stop passers-by in their tracks, until it becomes clear that this is Charles, first of his name, not the current King Charles, third of his name."

More than 200 men and women in full English Civil War dress gather in central London late January for an annual march by the English Civil War Society to commemorate King Charles I's death on 30 January 1649. Members assemble beside St James's Palace and step off around 11am down The Mall toward Horseguards Parade for a short service; at about 12:30pm a small detachment passes beneath the arches to the Banqueting House to lay a wreath on the spot where Charles I met his end. Participants shoulder pikes, check muskets, rehearse old drill and avoid the word "execution", calling the event an illegal killing. The parade returns to St James's Palace around 1pm and is free to watch.

Read at ianVisits