• About The Company

    Gentlemen Have A Care!

    Our aim is to present the impression of a militia of England prior to the onset of the first Spanish Armada. We are citizen soldiers working with military actions of the day including pike, shotte, small arms and artillery.

    We pride ourselves in our ability to showcase daily life in the form of entertainment, crafts, cooking, and more!

    Trayned Bandes Historical RootsTrayned Bandes Historical Roots

    our bande

    The Rank And File
    What we do and how we do it -
    Pike, shotte, and drill; an overview of our company's actvities on a day to day basis.

    moremore

    Muster Roll
    Who we are -
    Meet our command staff and the rank and file that make up our small but elite cadre.

    moremore

    Company Campaign History
    Where we've been -
    Take a look back at our years of service including event and activity photos.

    moremore

    Library
    Never too old to learn -
    We site primary and secondary resources along with web links we use to recreate history.

    moremore
  • events overview

    Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique seneus

    Bristol Renaissance Faire
    Amet, consectetuer adipisg elit,
    sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore magna

    moremore

    Janesville Renaissance Faire
    Amet, consectetuer adipisg elit,
    sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore magna

    moremore

    Our Other Events
    Amet, consectetuer adipisg elit,
    sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore magna

    moremore

    Our Presence

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam.

    Full
    Muster

    Amet, conctetuer a elit, sed diam nonummbh [...]

    Shotte
    Amet, conctetuer a elit, sed diam ornare felis non smod tinc [...]

    Pike
    Amet, conctetuer a elit, sed diam ornare felis non smod tinc [...]

    another header
    Amet, conctetuer a elit, sed diam nonummbh [...]

  • our clients

    Curabitur lacinia dui eget lorem eleifend

    Client name
    Amet, conctetuer adipisg elit, sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore.

    Client name
    Amet, conctetuer adipisg elit, sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore.

    Client name
    Amet, conctetuer adipisg elit, sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore.

    Client name
    Amet, conctetuer adipisg elit, sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore.

    Client name
    Amet, conctetuer adipisg elit, sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore.

    Client name
    Amet, conctetuer adipisg elit, sed diam nonu mmbh euismod tinc
    idunt ut laoreet dolore.

  • contact information

    find us

    8901 Marmora Road,
    Glasgow, D04 89GR.

    Freephone: +1 800 559 6580
    Telephone: +1 959 603 6035
    FAX: +1 504 889 9898
    E-mail: mail@demolink.org

    9863 - 9867 Mill Road,
    Cambridge, MG09 99HT.

    Freephone: +1 800 559 6580
    Telephone: +1 959 603 6035
    FAX: +1 504 889 9898
    E-mail: mail@demolink.org

    get in touch

    Contact form submitted!
    We will be in touch soon.
  • privacy policy

    This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Guild of St. Michael collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of the www.gsmbristol.org website ("Site"). This privacy policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by Guild of St. Michael.

    Personal identification information

    We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, register on the site, subscribe to the newsletter, respond to a survey, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, email address, phone number. Users may, however, visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personally identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.

    Non-personal identification information

    We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.

    Web browser cookies

    Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. User's web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. User may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

    How we use collected information

    Guild of St. Michael may collect and use Users personal information for the following purposes:
    • - To improve customer service
      Information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs more efficiently.
    • - To personalize user experience
      We may use information in the aggregate to understand how our Users as a group use the services and resources provided on our Site.
    • - To improve our Site
      We may use feedback you provide to improve our products and services.
    • - To run a promotion, contest, survey or other Site feature
      To send Users information they agreed to receive about topics we think will be of interest to them.
    • - To send periodic emails
      We may use the email address to respond to their inquiries, questions, and/or other requests. If User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include company news, updates, related product or service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email or User may contact us via our Site.
    How we protect your information

    We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site.

    Sharing your personal information

    We do not sell, trade, or rent Users personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.

    Third party websites

    Users may find advertising or other content on our Site that link to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.

    Changes to this privacy policy

    Guild of St. Michael has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

    Your acceptance of these terms

    By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.

    Contacting us

    If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:
    Guild of St. Michael
    www.gsmbristol.org
    contact@gsmbristol.org

    This document was last updated on March 16, 2014

  • Library

    Primary and Secondary Sources

    Resource and Vendor Links

    Armour, Weapons, and other Martial Equipment

    OlliN Sword Designs - Great local team of artists who pride themselves on customer service. A joy to work with!

    Albion Swords - Amazing Swords, Fantastic People, No brainer.

    John Buck - Gunsmith extraordinaire! All of our matchlocks are John's guns

    Darkwood Armoury - Fantastic rapiers and close hilt swords for WMA

    The Rifle Shoppe - Fantastic selection of quality period firearms.

    Illusion Armoring - Great prices on peascod breast and backs!

    Marek and Jizba Armoury - Very good quality Armour, as with all non-US vendors mind exchange rates and measurments.

    Fireside Armoury - One of the most curteous and easy to deal with Armourers we have ever worked with!

    Lutel - Very nice weapons, just be aware of the exchange rate and shipping costs!

    Museum Replicas - Weapons and Armor

    Arms and Armor - The weapons and armor site. A bit more pricey, but you get what you pay for.

    Valentine Armory - Very attractive armour

    Wm. Hurt Armour - Some of the finest armour I've been able to put my hands on, Made an amazing suit for our own Ray Benzel.

    Purpleheart Armoury - Wasters and other training gear. All of wasters are Christian's, he's a pleasure to work with!


    Other Groups

    Bramble's Schoole of Defence - A great group of guys bringing Elizabethan Swordwork to life

    Historic Camelot Project - Lloyd and Lisa Clark are undertaking an amazing endeavor to bring Britain's history to the Midwest!

    Renaissance Military Society - California based group that has been extremely helpful in bringing the realities of the 16th century soldier to life.

    Guilde of St. George-Bristol - Home of Her Majesty's Court at the Bristol Renaissance Faire

    Guilde of St. Lawrence - Home of the cooks of the Bristol Renaissance Faire

    Chicago Swordplay Guild - Great group of folks advancing the Western Martial Arts tradition in Illinos and Wisconsin

    St. Martin's Academy - Bob Charron is a fantastic instructor of medieval studies and Western Martial Arts.

    Autumn Tree Productions - A great group of folks on the East Coast

    Searle's Buccaneers/Drake's Men - Kindred Spirits based out of the Florida region

    Calderon's Company - Another Florida group representing the Spanish garrisons in the New World


    Resources

    Reclaiming The Blade - A Fantastic New Project detailing the sword and Western Martial Arts Traditions

    myArmoury.com - A fantastic forum for collectors and enthusiasts of weapons and armour.

    Sword Forum International - A forum set up for enthusiasts of the sword and martial arts

    The Bristol Discussion Page - Set up by Seadog Dean Calin and Fantastical's Director Tom Charney, a great place to chat!

    The Compendium of Common Knowledge - A good overview of what life was like in Elizabethan England

    Arquebus & Matchlock page - More information about muskets of our period.

    Robyn's Roost - A great site with tons of pictures from the Faire, by one of the Friends of Faire

  • Read more

    Vestibulum libero nisl, porta vel, scelerisque eget, malesuada at, neque. Vivamus eget nibh. Etiam cursus leo vel metus. Nulla facilisi.
    Vestibulum libero nisl, porta vel, scelerisque eget, malesuada at, neque. Vivamus eget nibh. Etiam cursus leo vel metus. Nulla facilisi. Aenean nec eros. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; Suspendisse sollicitudin velit sed leo. Ut pharetra augue nec augue. Nam elit magna, hendrerit sit amet, tincidunt ac, viverra sed, nulla. Donec porta diam eu massa. Quisque diam lorem, interdum vitae, dapibus ac, scelerisque vitae, pede. Donec eget tellus non erat lacinia fermentum. Donec in velit vel ipsum auctor pulvinar. Proin ullamcorper urna et felis.

    Praesent vestibulum molestie lacus.
    Praesent vestibulum molestie lacus. Aenean nonummy hendrerit mauris. Phasellus porta. Fusce suscipit varius mi. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Nulla dui. Fusce feugiat malesuada odio. Morbi nunc odio, gravida at, cursus nec, luctus a, lorem. Maecenas tristique orci ac sem. Duis ultricies pharetra magna. Donec accumsan malesuada orci. Donec sit amet eros. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Mauris fermen- tum dictum magna. Sed laoreet aliquam leo. Ut tellus dolor, dapibus eget, elementum vel, cursus eleifend, elit. Aenean auctor wisi et urna. Aliquam erat volutpat. Duis ac turpis.

    Nulla venenatis. In pede mi, aliquet sit amet, euismod in, auctor ut, ligula. Aliquam dapibus tincidunt metus. Vestibulum iaculis lacinia est. Proin dictum elementum velit. Fusce euismod consequat ante. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermen- tum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam. Sed in lacus ut enim adipiscing aliquet. Nulla venenatis. In pede mi, aliquet sit amet, euismod in, auctor ut, ligula. Aliquam dapibus tincidunt metus.

    Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt luptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.

    Vestibulum iaculis lacinia est. Proin dictum elementum velit. Fusce euismod consequat ante. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermen- tum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam. Sed in lacus ut enim adipiscing aliquet. Nulla venenatis. In pede mi, aliquet sit amet, euismod in, auctor ut, ligula. Aliquam dapibus tincidunt metus.

    Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem consectetur, adipisci velit.

  • Trayned Bandes Historical Roots

    The English Military in the time of Elizabeth I - As it relates to the Bristol Renaissance Faire
    The Bristol Renaissance Faire, and, subsequently, the Guild of Saint Michael, portrays England in the middle of the reign of queen Elizabeth I. The date normally given as being the one we use is 1574, since in that year Elizabeth actually did visit Bristol, England.

    England did not have a standing army at that time, and relied on the strength of the 'Trayned Bandes', who acted as a sort of National Guard. The trained bands were made up mostly of the middle-class, who gathered together once a month to train as a unit, and to socialize with other town-folk. Criminals, homeless and other undesirables were not part of these groups. If they entered military service, it was usually against their will. These conscripted troops were usually the ones Elizabeth sent off to other countries when she decided an army was needed.

    The main weapon employed for use in any sizable army of the time was the pike. A pike was long pole, made of Ash, Oak, or other suitable wood, with a steel point fixed to the end. The pole was anywhere from 12 to 20 feet long. It's main use was to repel cavalry, but could be used in an offensive manner as well. The front lines of the opposing forces would level their pikes at one another and advance as a unit, leading to what was known as a push of pike.

    Firearms are gaining a much wider acceptance during this period as well. In years earlier, guns had been little more then a barrel on a stick. They had terrible accuracy, and were used primarily for their shock value. Horses and men were unaccustomed to facing guns, and the smoke and noise frightened them terribly. By the late 16th century, guns were much more common on the field of battle, and entire tactical doctrine had been created around the use of pike and shot in war. The most common firearm used at the time was called a matchlock, since it was fired by applying a burning match (cotton cord soaked in saltpeter) directly to the priming pan, by means of an external lock mechanism. These were almost always smoothbore guns, since rifling was still an expensive and time-consuming process. They were still inaccurate, slow to reload and fairly unreliable, but they were still a huge improvement over the hand-cannons of previous years. Rudimentary flintlock weapons were beginning to appear at this time, but they were far from common. Artillery was also coming in to it's own on the battlefield, replacing the catapults and trebuchets of previous years. Cannon of the time was usually cast of iron or bronze, and fired iron or stone projectiles. Cannon could be found both in the field, and onboard ship. It was the development and use of field artillery that spurred great changes in the area of siege warfare in this time, prompting revisions in not only the methods of building and defending a fortified position, but in attacking them as well. Many notable military writers of the time considered fortifications built in the 'modern' way, to be nearly impossible to take through force, but instead their attackers would be forced to conduct a protracted siege.

  • Section Coming Soon...

    The content for this section of the site is currently being created.
    We will be continuing to update content and add new content as time goes on. Please check back frequently to see what has changed.