Thrills and Spills of the Tournament - Monday, 19 March 2012
See the cut and thrust of medieval tournaments come to life at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, this April.
Just as Formula I racing exhilarates crowds today, the great tournaments of the Middle Ages proved a fast, frantic and high-risk spectacle for participants and spectators alike.
The Royal Armouries will trace the development of the tournaments through the ages – firstly through an illuminating and fascinating lecture and then by staging a traditional joust.
The Dangerously Entertaining events run as follows:
Extreme Sports, Tuesday, April 3, 6.30pm to 8.30pm – Join us for an informative and entertaining lecture by Senior Curator of Armour Karen Watts. Karen will explore the evolution of tournaments – from training for war to a high-risk sport. This lecture will be followed by a guided tour of the museum’s Tournament Gallery, plus an armed poleaxe demonstration. Tickets priced £5.
Jousting Tournament, Saturday, April 7 to Easter Monday, April 9 – experience this thrilling spectacle as knights in shining armour, from around the world, clash in combat to do battle royal for the Queen’s Jubilee Trophy. Witness the speed and artistry of the knights, as they battle it out on horseback.
Show times are 12 noon and 3pm on Easter Saturday and Sunday, followed by semi-finals at 12 noon on Easter Monday and the grand final at 3pm. Tickets priced £5 for adults, and £3 for the under 16s.
Tickets for both events are available at the door, or in advance on 0113 220 1888 or by visiting www.royalarmouriesshop.org/tickets
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Notes to editors
For more information and the latest news about the Royal Armouries:
Royal Armouries website
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- Royal Armouries is the national museum of arms and armour and has sites in Leeds, HM Tower of London, Fort Nelson and Louisville, Kentucky. It is the first British national museum to open a permanent presence in another country
- Admission to the museum is free. However, there may be a small charge for some special events.
- Open all year daily, 10am-5pm. Closed 24-25 December
- Information Line: 0113 220 1999
- Website: www.royalarmouries.org
- The Royal Armouries Museum should not be confused with Royal Armouries International plc, the private sector corporate hospitality business.