Author: Alan Radford

Orders of the Day, Volume 35 Issue 1, Feb/Mar 2003

English military use of the trumpet goes back at least as far as the thirteenth century, when it is recorded that trumpets gave the sign to attack. One Randolph was King’s Trumpeter in 1292, succeeded by Roger in 1310. Edward III had trumpeters at the defeat of the Scots at Hallidon Hill in 1333. King Henry V had ten trumpeters, who went with him to France and saw action at Crecy and Agincourt. Up to the end of the fifteenth century the trumpet was the only instrument used for signals in both infantry and cavalry. In Tudor times, because the Court Trumpeters served on horseback, trumpets became particularly associated with the cavalry, and the infantry adopted the side-drum.

According to “The Rise of Military Music” by Henry Farmer, Josiah Broome was appointed sergeant trumpeter to the Royal Household in 1626, succeeded by Benedict Browne in 1641. In “The Souldier’s Accidence” of 1635, a trumpeter was to have a horse which “shall be a good hackney with gentleman-like furniture; that he shall be provided with a sword with the point broken” (to show that the trumpeter was a non-combatant, and entitled to be respected as such).

No English trumpet calls are known from this time, but Italian calls were written down by Fantini in the 1630’s, and Mersenne published a set of French trumpet calls in 1635. Trumpeters were not exclusively associated with the army, for in 1650, Popham requested trumpeters for the Fleet.

According to Cannon’s “Historical Records of the Life Guards”, at the Restoration, on 29th May 1660 Charles II was greeted at St George’s Fields by the King’s Life Guards, with their kettledrums and trumpets in front. The French composer, Cambert, when he fled to England as a refugee in 1672, was appointed bandmaster of the Lifeguards trumpet band. Any other than the King’s troops who wished to blow a trumpet had first to obtain a licence from the sergeant-trumpeter or the drum-major-general.

More the English Military Trumpet by Sandra Costello

Richard Symonds, in his "Complete Military Diary" describing the events as he accompanied King Charles' army during 1644 and 1645, makes a number of references to the use of the trumpeter as a means of communication between the opposing sides during the Civil Wars. From his account 'trumpets' were used far more than drums in this capacity, for obvious reasons: the drummer was a foot soldier, while the trumpeter was a horseman, with not nearly so cumbersome an instrument to carry. The following are two of the more dramatic accounts, showing that the role was not an enviable one.

A continuation of the actions, moovings and marches of His Majestie with his army, from the time they left Cornwall, Sept. 5, 1644.

Thursday. Sept. 5. His Majestie marched from Liskerd in Cornwall, to Tavistock, com. Devon. neare Plymouth. This day Sir Richard Grenvile, by the King's appointment, sent a trumpeter in his Majesties name to Plymouth to render the towne.

Friday 6. The trumpeter returned with this answer, butt was first abused and imprisoned: that they would send an answere by one of their drummers.

Munday the 9 Sept. His Majestie with his troopes of guard, etc. and foot army went to Rubert Downe neare the Beacon, four myles from Plymouth. The Queenes regiment of horse, commanded by Sir John Campsfield their colonel, was sent to face the towne. Parties of rebels’ horse came out and followed his reare, when he drew off at night all to quarters.

10 Sept. His Majesties army and Prince Maurice's of foot, and some horse marched towards Plymouth, and with the Queenes regiment of horse, Earle of Northampton's regiment, and the 3 troopes of the life guards. At 12 of the clock both armyes of foot marched with drums beating and colors flying and tooke possession of the ground neare the workes, under mercy of the enemyes cannon, which played upon them as they went. Wee planted many of our cannon under a hedge within little more than halfe cannon shott. Many great shott on both sides.

Wednesday kept the same ground. In the morning the King sent one of his owne trumpets with propositions of treaty, whome they kept that day. At night the King sent a drummer for the same purpose.

Thursday the returne of these two was expected. At night the trumpet returned, much abused, and would have taken away his horse, and told him they would hang him if he came agen.

Thursday May 29. His Majestie marched and pitcht downe before Liecester citty, a garrison of the rebels, and commanded by Theoph. Grey, third brother to the Earle of Kent.

Friday, May 30. His highnes Prince Rupert sent a trumpet (after had shott two great peices at the towne) to summon it for his Majestie, offering the burgesses and corporacion pardon, etc. They deteyne his trumpet, and about one of the clock qfternoone, in this interim, the Prince rayses a battery for six great peices upon a hill, where sometimes of old had byn such another. About two of the clock one of the Leicester trumpets was sent to desire time to consider of it till the morrow morning, and to tell him that they wondered he would rayse any worke, etc. during this summons. His Highnes told the trumpet if he came agen with such another errand, he'de lay him by the heels. About half an hour after he comes agen with this note directed thus: “To the Commander in Cheife", desiring time to consider till the morrow morning.

The Prince commits the trumpet to his Marshall. Still the first trumpet they keepe. Then the Prince about three of the clock sent them an answer in lowder termes, six great pieces from the fort on the south side of the towne playing on a stone wall unlined, and made ere six of the clock a breach of great space.

Symonds is a great read for anyone keen to get a first hand account of what it was like to be with the army on the move and in battle. Published by Partizan Press.