Presently we are recruiting members to fight with us at events organized or attended by the Medieval Siege Society (MSS). Comprised of a number of households, the MSS is the UK's largest medieval re-enactment group and we take part in many events over the year. We are primarily focused on the Wars of the Roses, a bitter 30 year civil war between the rival houses of York and Lancaster in a struggle for the English crown.

The member households cover both Yorkist and Lancastrian sympathisers and there are even some merecenary units who will fight on whichever side pays them the most - and often switch sides during battle if things look to be going against them.

The Worcester Household's head is Sir John Tiptoft, known as "The Butcher of England" because of the unpleasent way he dealt with Lancastrian prisoners when fulfilling his role as Constable of England under Edward IV.

Tiptoft was a highly educated and cultured man. He studied at Oxford University and was at one time ambassador to the Pope. He spent time on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, returning via Italy, where he stayed for two years. Tiptoft was an early supporter of Renaissance thinking in England and considerable Latin scholar.

Treasurer of the Tower, Constable of England under Edward IV were other notable offices held by Tiptoft. Indeed it was in the latter role he became infamous for his cruelty in dealing with Lancastrian prisoners, having them beheaded, drawn, quartered, impaled and put on public display. These practices were shocking even in the middle ages and earned him the title "Butcher of England".

On the readeption of Henry VI, Sir John was unable to escape with Edward IV and was captured. He was condemned to death by John de Vere, who's father he had cruelly executed some years before.

At his execution in 1470 he asked the headsman to strike three blows for the Holy Trinity.

It appears Tiptoft was not attainted and his son, Edward, inherited his titles and lands.