The Militia

The English Militia was a kind of early ‘home guard’, raised to defend the nation against invasion or rebellion. It did not serve overseas. Able-bodied men aged 18 to 45 years were eligible for the militia. However, there were exemptions for poor men who had three or more children born in wedlock (reduced to one child in 1786) and certain professions such as clergymen, apprentices, articled clerks and parish constables.

Men served in the militia for three years and were chosen by ballot. However, some men whose names were drawn in the ballot actually served in person. Those who could afford to pay for a substitute usually did so and parishes were allowed to provide volunteers in place of the drawn men.

Once a year, on a Sunday morning, a militia list was displayed on the door of the parish church. Militia men spent 28 days a year in training, during which time they were billeted in public houses and paid according to a scale laid down by an Act of Parliament. For the 60–80 men of the Northamptonshire Regiment, training usually took place during May and June. It was customary for the regiment to celebrate the birthday of King George III on 4 June by assembling in Northampton’s market square and firing three volleys of blanks.

The first time that the militia saw prolonged service was following England’s declaration of war with France in 1778. Between 1778 and 1783, the Northamptonshire Regiment stood on duty at various places in the home counties and, for a few months during 1780/1, in Northampton itself. The regiment was discharged in March 1783, not to be called upon other than for routine training until 1793 when war was again declared on France.

With thanks to Alan Clarke at northants1841.fsnet.co.uk (link no longer operating) for the information on the militia.

Cottingham Militia List 1777

Middleton Militia List 1777

Note: original spellings have been retained