Contrary to popular belief, Chivalry is not dead !

The royal court has arrived and taken their places, the trumpets are sounding, and all is in readiness... hold onto your turkey legs, the action is about to begin!

Not for centuries on English soil has the possibility been presented for open attendance for re-enactors in a medieval tournament. Not just theatre on horseback, imagine competing in armour in a contest of medieval games, with actual scoring presenting the opportunity to establish who is "Le Bon Chevalier" in England!

Destrier, England's late fifteenth century cavalry re-enactment group has the privilege of co-ordinating this year's display of horsemanship. The twice daily displays comprise a number of authentic games played in medieval times as part of the Knight's and Squire's training and repeated at tournaments and "behold" style contests. These games are those that most re-enactors know and will be able to practice to develop their skill at arms before competing. The games include but are not limited to, "Running the Ring", riding at a course of suspended rings to collect them on the point of a light seven foot lance, "Course of Heads", riding at a course of cabbages set on posts (extra points awarded for more difficult left side or back hand cuts), "Melee", a team contest of open skirmish between teams with scoring awarded for successful blows landed. The tournament will be judged openly and fairly and scored so the competitors and public can follow the progress. As with the Archery contest, any one can win. The scores will be displayed each day outside the Festival office for all to see, with an award ceremony for the best contestants.

This, of course represents the ultimate challenge for medieval re-enactors. The difficulty and danger of jousting in public on horseback sporting fifteenth century plate armour must not be underestimated and has to be seen to be believed!