The Cambridge Trained Bands of 1638 consisted of 1000 men armed with 540 muskets and 460 corslets (body armour, signifying pikemen). They also mustered 80 mounted men consisting of 30 carbines and 50 dragoons.
In 1639 Trained Band men were selected for service in the First Bishops' war, in Sir Simon Harcourt’s Regiment of Foot.
In March 1640 it was ordered that Trained Band men should be shipped to Newcastle for service against the Scots: Cambridge 300. to be shipt the tenth of June at Yarmouth, to be at the General Rendezvouz the twenty fifth of May, to march thence the fifth of June.1).
In August 1651 the Cambridgeshire militia were ordered to rendezvous at Oxford.
| Active | 1643 to 1648+ |
| Country | England |
| Allegiance | Parliamentarian |
| Conflicts | First Civil War |
| Type | Foot |
| Dragoons | |
| Colonel | Oliver Cromwell |
| Francis Russell | |
| Valentine Walton | |
| Area Raised | Cambridge |
| Coat Colour | |
| Flag Colour | Yellow |
| Flag Design | Crimson Crosslets |
| Field Armies | Garrison |
Later Colonel Francis Russell’s then Colonel Valentine Walton’s Trained Band of Foot
Cambridge Trained Band supporting the Parliamentarians
In July 1643 Cromwell was made Governor of the Isle of Ely and given command of the Trained Band unit in garrison. It is possible that this was an auxiliary regiment of the Cambridge Trained Band, as it appears to have served up until 1647, whereas true Trained Bands were usually only active for a short time.
“Whereas there was eight ensignes of yellow florence sarsnett with crimson Cross Crosletts Bolts inc & stands with guilt heads & Tassells delyvered by order of Major West for the furnishing of a Regiment of the Militia in the said Island almost seaven yeares since by mr Edward Adams upholster in London as is apparent unto us amounting to twenty one pounds wch yet is unsatisfied. 18th day of March 1651”2)
A list of the regiment’s officers is shown in Laurence Spring’s Regiments of the Eastern Association3)
Officers in 16474)