My name is Phil Barham, I'm an amateur historian with a long-standing fascination for the English Civil War 1642-1651, an interest that many years ago led me onto the battlefield as a member of the Sealed knot, the English civil War reenactment Society. I have been charged by troops of parliamentarian horse, been shot at by regiments of musketeers and been involved in hand to hand clashes, all these experiences have helped me to understand the mechanics of 17th century combat and add authenticity to the talk. I live near Maidstone, Kent with my wife and an enormous Newfoundland dog.