Redcoats and Revolutionaries
18th Century Re-Enactment in the UK
Redcoats & Revolutionaries is an 18th Century Re-Enactment and Living History group based in the UK. Our aim is to recreate aspects of the late 18th Century with a focus on the American War of Independence from both British and American perspectives. We craft clothing and equipment, and learn period techniques to portray ordinary soldiers and working poor of the late 18th Century.
As a prospective member, you may choose with who your allegiance lies: with HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE III or with the REVOLUTIONARIES of the colonies. Or perhaps hedge your bets and seek opportunities in other professions. Whatever you choose, we'll work together on tailored scenarios to entertain and inform audiences at reenactment events around the UK about one of the most important conflicts in world history.
Our Events
We perform at public reenactment events throughout the year, bringing our expansive Living History displays and demonstrations to audiences of all ages. We can cater to events of different sizes: from pop-up history displays where costumed interpreters perform in-character to a crowd, to a larger military encampment with battle demonstrations using real black-powder weapons.
Take a look at our Events page for more information.
Joining Us
Our members are history enthusiasts from all walks of life. While 18th century re-enactment can be expensive, we don't want the overall cost to be a barrier, so we have lots of clothing and equipment to lend, and suppliers for the budget conscious. Members must be 18 years of age or above, but families are welcome... Our youngest participant was 4 months old!
To find out more about who we are, what we do, and how to join, take a look at our Joining page.
Our society includes groups working together as smaller 'units' and individuals creating 18th Century "impressions" of history. Here's some of the representations that our reenactment society supports:
Civilian Trades & Crafts
We don't just portray the soldiers and campaigns of war, but also the ordinary people of the 18th Century and how they were affected by the conflict during the American War of Independence. We have clothiers, a mantua maker, a blacksmith, a bawd, and more.
The centre-piece to our civilian impression is our Tavern, the Cock and Bull, where people mingle, share a drink, and get involved in intrigues aplenty. Is the landlord secretly a rebel? Is that lady a spy for the crown?!
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17th Regiment of Foot
Our 17th Regiment impression displays a company of regular infantry deployed by Britain during the American Revolutionary War. The soldiers of the 17th, drawn from all walks of life, and were a crucial part of major actions throughout the war.
The 17th fought in nearly all of the battles through New York and New Jersey, earning a rare citation of bravery for their charge, while surrounded, at the Battle of Princeton in January 1777. Our battalion soldiers can be seen practicing drill, cleaning and repairing uniform, and preparing for battle.
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1st Pennsylvania Regiment, Continental Army
On the American side, we portray one of the most distinguished regiments of the Continental Line. Initially drawn up as a battalion of riflemen, they were reorganised in 1776 as the 1st Continental Regiment, and then as the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment in 1777. Soldiers will be seen in their early war 'uniform' of hunting shirts, with a rag tag collection of arms an accoutrements, representing the continental army in its most difficult period.
Seeing action throughout the war, the 1st held the "post of honor" on the far right flank of Wayne's Division during the Battle of Germantown in October 1777.
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23rd Regiment of Foot, The Royal Welch Fuzileers
Landing in America in 1773, the 23rd Foot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers were involved in nearly every major campaign of the war, from Lexington & Concord through to Yorktown. As a fusilier regiment, the regulations gave them the battalion company's the right to wear a slightly shorter version of the distinctive bearskin cap, usually only reserved for grenadier companies. Whilst they had these with them, they were mostly like quickly stored away in favour of plain cocked hats with an equally distinctive Prince of Wales feather adornment.
This unit intends to cover these changes in dress across the timespan of the war. Breeches, bearskins and short gaiters to depict the early stages of the war, as well as a parade dress. Gaitered trousers and cocked hats for the later campaign style.
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43rd Regiment of Foot
The 43rd Regiment represent the soldiers and wives of the British Army in America circa 1776. The focus of their impression is a camp hospital, a bell of arms, with beds, blankets and accessories. There's Uniformed soldiers are on guard, and as patients receiving treatment and doing light duties/drill as part of their recovery. The 43rd reflect the essential role women had as followers of the British Army.
For arena displays the 43rd keep alive the famous 43rd Foot Light Infantry who gained a reputation throughout the American war with the infamous 2nd Battalion 'Bloodhounds' and went on to become one of the first full Light Infantry Regiments in the British army.
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Le Régiment Gatinois
Le Régiment Gatinois is a project to depict a company of grenadiers in the French Royal Army. The regiment was originally deployed to the Caribbean but, upon France entering the war, later served at the Sieges of Savannah (1779) and Yorktown (1781).
Contrary to popular myth, the French Army of this period was a well-trained and professional fighting force. Grenadiers were often some of the most experienced men and the Gatinois' were instrumental in the assault on Redoubt 9 in October 1781. Despite not being in Rochambeau's expedition from France, the Gatinois therefore experienced some of the hardest fighting of any soldats of the war.
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4th Battalion, Royal Artillery
Coming in 2024 is a new impression of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Involved in almost every major action during the Revolutionary War, we will have a crew of a light 3-pounder cannon demonstrating how they were used with light infantry and regular battalions. Until then, you can still see the piece as a captured rebel gun...
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40th Regiment Of Foot, Light Company
Flank companies, or light infantry, were picked from the most able soldiers to carry out special duties. They'll be found scouting ahead of the army, or guarding crucial passes, and fighting in the American fashion in dense woodland.
The 40th Regiment's Light Company was detached to the 2nd Battalion of Light Infantry, known as the 'bloodhounds,' and served with distinction, including in General Charles 'no flint' Grey's night time attack on American supplies at Paoli in September 1777.
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