Perfect Militia

This book covers an important part of British military history, namely the Trained Bands of the early Stuart period, 1603 - 1642. Both James I and Charles I tried to create a perfect militia during their reigns but how far did they get in achieving this aim? There is very little published about this organization. This book includes details on the men who served in it; how they were recruited; their social status, professions and ages.

The soldiers were mustered for training at least once a year at county or regimental level, but were they mustered and trained more often at a local level? And, if so, how often? There were different categories of soldiers in the Trained Bands; these categories were not just designated by the arm of service or by the arms they carried, but also by who had provided (and paid for) them.

The arms and armor used by the soldiers changed over