TIME Traveller David Lord arrived clad as Robert Rookwood, Lieutenant of Pike, a Roundhead from the 17th century, who would have been in charge of 1,200 Parliamentarians fighting Royalists and King Charles I.

Bloody battles took place during the nine years of civil war in England, when one third of the population were killed and a further third died of disease during the period.

Much of the fighting was done in Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Soldiers who joined Cromwell's New Model Army were given uniforms and paid for the first time in history but deserters would be killed.

Ale would be drunk instead of water as it was less contaminated and heavy body armour and helmets was worn for battle.

David illustrated his talk with many interesting artefacts - garments and armour to try on, coins, drinking vessels and weapons - some of which were actually used at that time. In particular, a sword from Warwick Castle with the inscription 1645, a leather drinking vessel and a nit comb.

Although Robert Rookwood met an unhappy death when he was shot for leaving the army, David Lord happily lives on to tell the tale and has been taking his educational talks to societies and schools and re-enacting battles as part of the Sealed Knot Society (www.sealedknot.org).

Joy Hand won the raffle.

The next meeting will be a skittles evening and supper on Tuesday, March 9 at The Mother Huff Cap, Great Alne.