Stoddard's Company

Stoddard's Company England's Trained Bands were a citizen-based military force from their formation in 1559 until their replacement by conventional militia regiments in 1794.

16th century Trained-Band of English Pikemen and Musketeers bringing education and fun to Renaissance Faires and living-history events across California and beyond! We represent a 16th century "Trained Band" company of English militia soldiers commanded by Sir-Captain Nicholas Stoddard & raised from the Tower District in London. The primary purpose of the Trained Bands was to serve as home-defense

regiments in the areas in which they were raised. The London Trained Bands were mustered at Tilbury during the Armada Campaign of 1588, and also saw a great deal of active service during the English Civil Wars where they formed a significant portion of Parliamentary armies during the early years of the war.

The mountains are calling, and Stoddard's Company must go!This weekend we will be encamped at the Idyllwild Ren Faire ! ...
09/13/2025

The mountains are calling, and Stoddard's Company must go!

This weekend we will be encamped at the Idyllwild Ren Faire ! Come escape the heat with us and enjoy a weekend of history and merriment at our favorite little faire in the woods!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷: Susan Gray

After five weeks of battle, ale, and more than we could ever recount, the 2025 season of the Koroneburg Renaissance Fe...
06/24/2025

After five weeks of battle, ale, and more than we could ever recount, the 2025 season of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival has come to a close! As the crowds disperse and the banners are lowered, we wish to thank all of you who visited our encampment or witnessed our battle-pageant. We find no greater honor nor joy than bringing history to life for you all!

Alas, we have many more events in 2025 to come! Stoddard's Company shall be on the march again soon!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷: Katie Marie

Draw your swords for the final weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! As we raise our banners once more, don’t ...
06/20/2025

Draw your swords for the final weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! As we raise our banners once more, don’t miss your last chance to experience the excitement, history, and fun of the past before the curtain falls one last time!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷: Katie Marie

Late 16th-century warfare saw disciplined ranks of pikemen protecting musketeers in a deadly combination of reach and fi...
06/20/2025

Late 16th-century warfare saw disciplined ranks of pikemen protecting musketeers in a deadly combination of reach and firepower. In the chaos of battle, opposing blocks of pikemen could meet in a brutal 'push of pike'—a violent, close-quarters struggle where densely packed soldiers clashed with 14-20 foot pikes, relying on strength, cohesion, and sheer will to break the enemy's line.

We are approaching the final weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! One more weekend of ale, merriment, battles, and more to kick off the summer!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷: Marie

Port pike to the inside!... of the fourth weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! Our company drills each mornin...
06/13/2025

Port pike to the inside!... of the fourth weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! Our company drills each morning to ensure we are at our best to teach you all about 16th century pike-and-shotte warfare. Come and learn for yourself, or just come for the , as we have two more weekends of the event to go!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

Glory to the billmen!While the pike and musket are our mainstays, the early trained-bands maintained a variety of weapon...
06/11/2025

Glory to the billmen!

While the pike and musket are our mainstays, the early trained-bands maintained a variety of weapons in their arsenals. Among them was the English favorite, the billhook! This pole-arm's namesake comes from its distinctive hook-shaped blade, which when wielded by a trained soldier could be used to pull an opponent from their horse, or with a sweep to the leg send them to the ground!

You can learn about the billhook and all our weaponry by visiting our encampment at the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! We still have two more weekends of to go!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷 Katie Marie

The curtain closes on an unforgettable third weekend of The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! The company stands down to ...
06/09/2025

The curtain closes on an unforgettable third weekend of The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! The company stands down to rest, however we are not done yet, for there are still two more weekends of merriment remaining at the finest renaissance-village this side of the Atlantic!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷: Katie Marie

Charge Pikes!... Into the third weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! Be sure to catch our Battle Pageant at t...
06/06/2025

Charge Pikes!... Into the third weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival! Be sure to catch our Battle Pageant at the arena each day at 2:30 for an exciting retelling of real historical battles the medieval and renaissance periods.

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷: Katie Marie

Banner Post! It be the the second weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival ! Does one wish to learn and experience...
05/30/2025

Banner Post! It be the the second weekend of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival ! Does one wish to learn and experience what it was like fighting in a 16th century pike-and-shot formation? Then be sure to visit our encampment in New Koroneburg for an immersive weapon demonstration! We have four more weekends to go!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷: Gores

We hope you all had a most wondrous holiday weekend! We certainly did as we opened the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival w...
05/28/2025

We hope you all had a most wondrous holiday weekend! We certainly did as we opened the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival with a bang! Of course, we are but merely getting started! With four more weekends to go, the possibilities are endless! May your travels bring you to here to join us in the merriment!

⚔Hail Stoddard!⚔

📷: Katie Marie

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56375 Hwy 74
Idyllwild, CA
92549

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