After last year’s sell out success the Royal Armouries museum in the heart of Leeds will celebrate its twentieth anniversary with its twentieth Easter Tournament. Fans will be able to enjoy the thrills and spills of authentic medieval jousting, the original extreme sport and come face-to-face with our tournament collection of arms and armour at the Royal Armouries museum.
Royal Armouries will present a packed programme of dangerously entertaining events from Friday 25 March to Easter Monday (March 28). The tiltyard will resound to the clamour and clash of a live action tournament, as internationally renowned knights battle for the coveted Sword of Honour and the prestigious Queen’s Jubilee Trophy.
As well as individual competitions visitors can get behind their favourite team as ‘Team France’, ‘Team England’ and ‘Team Poland’ lock lances as the tension builds through the exciting four-day tournament.
The event will be the twentieth time that the Royal Armouries very own knight in shining armour, Andy Deane, will take part in the Easter Tournament. He will compete for the individual contest and for Team England alongside his team mate. Together they will be hoping that Team England can topple the reigning team champions, Jan Gradon and Jarek Struczyński of Poland. Jousting has a particularly high profile in Poland. The Royal Armouries will also welcome new competitors Marc Hamel and Michael Sadde who will represent team France.
Atkinson Action Horses will be supplying the horses for the events and demonstrating some of the skills of their horses during the Tournament. Their team have spent twenty years training horses for film, television and live events, including BBC One’s Poldark series.
Back by popular demand there will be a mêlée on the Bank Holiday Monday as part of a spectacular finale, when all the competing knights will clash in a medieval mock battle.
In a packed programme visitors will also be able to meet the knights and horses, see how knights kit up for the tournament and listen to tales of medieval daring-do. There will also be lots of activities in the museum, including armed combats and opportunities for hands-on fun in the Jester’s Yard Play Area and crossbow range.
Timetable for events:
Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday
Team competition 12 noon and individual heats 3 pm
Easter Monday
Mêlée 12 noon and grand final 3 pm, followed by presentation of prizes
Advance ticket prices:
Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday – Adult £10, Concessions £6, Families* £25
per day.
Easter Monday – Adult £14, Concessions £10, Family £39
Ticket prices cover admission to both shows at 12 noon and 3 pm.
*Family tickets are for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children
Tickets will also available for sale for individual heats on the day.
Book online today at www.royalarmouries.org
There are lots of other activities over the Easter holidays which include:
Tuesday 29 March 2016 – Sunday 17 April 2016 at Leeds
• Falconry displays
• Archery
• Make and take craft activities
• Squire School
• Storytelling
• Live combat demonstration
Talks and tours
Entry to the museum is free but some activities carry a small charge.
For more information:
www.royalarmouries.org
www.twitter.com/royal_armouries
Keep track of the teams, horses, individual competitors at
www.facebook.com/RoyalArmouriesTournamentsUK