In some villages, where the headman is an enthusiast for the pastime, a trained band performs weird and wonderful step dances to the sound of the drum.

Much of the work was done by volunteer labour, organized by the trained bands and the livery companies.

Previously the King had the sole right to appoint the Lord Lieutenants, who were in charge of the county militias (also known as the trained bands).

Local trained bands often had divided loyalties or refused to serve outside their own counties.

The drift of this bloody message was ordered to be read out to the trained bands by the camp's chaplain next sermon.

They had the sympathies of most of the large towns, where the trained bands, drilled once a month, provided cadres for new regiments.

He was appointed colonel of the blue regiment of the trained bands on 31 March 1689, and on 19 April a commissioner for managing the customs.

With hindsight, we can see that those guildsmen and trained bands embody the new, commercial world that was to supplant the feudal one of Charles.

The Commissioners were to assemble the trained bands and summon Quarter Sessions to decide on a method of raising money to pay the soldiers.

A company of musketeers and two trained bands were brought up to hold off the advancing Nantwich force.