Fighting for honour, not medals, at Richmond Castle
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 August 2012
If the modern sports of fencing, javelin and archery using a techno-bow lack a little excitement and risk, then come down to Richmond Castle in North Yorkshire on Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 August, as English Heritage’s knights show you medieval-style sport, using swords, clubs and traditional longbows in the Knights Tournament!
For two days, Richmond Castle will be transformed into a medieval arena for combat, with four knights representing the North, South, East and West battling to be crowned the day’s victor – although no medals await these knights, simply honour and pride! The knights and their squires will compete in a number of tests of strength and skill, from archery to the melee – a no-holds-barred combat recreating the medieval battle field.
“This Knights Tournament is every bit as competitive as an Olympic event or a Champion’s League football game – whilst the knights and their squires follow the rules of chivalry outside the arena, once inside, it really is the case that the best knight will win,” comments English Heritage’s regional events manager, Jon Hogan. “We’ve been running Knights Tournaments around the country for a number of years, so these combatants have been honing and refining their skills, which creates some nail-biting fights that have the audience cheering and wincing as each blow falls!”
The tournament itself forms part of a much larger medieval weekend within Richmond Castle’s walls. Between rounds, visitors can wander around and meet the tournament’s ‘retinue’ - a living history encampment provided by the Clarence Household. Amidst all the tension of the competition, English Heritage’s very own medieval jester, Peterkin, will entertain the crowds with silliness, foolery and even a little fire, whilst the talented wandering minstrels from Trouvere will provide atmospheric music, and even teach a medieval dance or two!
Richmond Castle’s Knights Tournament is one of a series of competitions for the knights taking place at English Heritage sites around the country. The points from each of the tournaments are accumulated over the summer months, with the overall winner set to be revealed at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire on August Bank Holiday Monday (27 August 2012).
Admission to the Knights Tournament at Richmond Castle is £6.50 for adults, £6.00 for concessions and £4.50 for children. English Heritage members get in free. The event runs from 11.00am to 5.00pm, with the castle itself open from 10.00am to 6.00pm.
For more information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/richmond or call 01748 822493.
ENDS
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk
