PREVIEW

The Royal Armouries annual International Jousting Tournament is back in 2019 and this year Yorkshire's greatest spectacle promises a transatlantic clash of knights.

From Friday 19th to Monday 22nd April the museum's impressive jousting arena in Leeds will resound to the cheers of crowds, as eight internationally-renowned knights battle it out in an authentic medieval tournament, right in the heart of the city.

As well as individual competitions, spectators are encouraged to get behind their favourite teams as the Royal Armouries welcome returning victors from Team Poland, and from all the way from across the Atlantic, Team USA and Team Canada, first time participants in this much loved tournament. The teams will battle it out against the Royal Armouries own Team UK in pursuit of the coveted Sword of Honour and prestigious Queen's Jubilee Trophy.

There will be two shows each day of the tournament, with Easter Monday featuring special events, including an authentic medieval maze and the grand finale and prize-giving.

The individual knights competing will be Andy Deane and Mike Collin for Team UK, Jean-Francois Drapeau and Jessy Dufresne for Team Canada, Michal Ruda and Piotr Rydzewski for Team Poland, and Jeffrey Wasson and Jeff Sanders for Team USA.

In the weeks leading up to the tournament the museum is hosting a number of exciting events as part of its Medieval Easter programme (30th March to 14th April). As well as an action packed daily programme of combat demonstrations, dramatic performances and have-a-go activities, visitors can also experience a live-action Wars of the Roses weekend (6th & 7th April).

The weekend before the tournament (13th & 14th April) visitors can get up close to the action at A day of knights and see the knights from Team UK in training. There will also be an opportunity for children to get behind-the-scenes to meet the knights and learn what it takes to be a jousting champion, as well as meeting the real stars of the show - the horses of Atkinson Action Horses.

Commenting on the events, Mark Jackson, Events and Informal Learning Manager, said: This year's tournament promises to be bigger and more action-packed than ever before. We are delighted to be welcoming these world renowned competitors to our arena and honoured they are travelling such a distance to take part.

This is the first time we have welcomed teams from Canada and the USA and we are really excited to see them in action.

Royal Armouries has sites in Leeds, HM Tower of London and Fort Nelson in Hampshire.

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds houses a major part of the national collection of arms and armour, and displays over 8,500 objects throughout its five themed galleries.

Website: www.royalarmouries.org

Sunday 21st April 2019
Picture Credit Charlotte Graham