Video: Leeds museum's medieval magic

PIC: James HardistyPIC: James Hardisty
PIC: James Hardisty
THE 20TH anniversary of the opening of a famous Leeds Museum will celebrated in style over the Easter weekend as internationally renowned knights compete for the Sword of Honour in a jousting tournament.

The Royal Armouries Museum opened in the city back in 1996.

To mark this date it will be holding an event which dates back considerably further.

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Jousting is the original extreme sport - with the first recorded tournament in the country being held in 1066.

PIC: James HardistyPIC: James Hardisty
PIC: James Hardisty

And at the Royal Armouries at the weekend visitors will be able to witness the thrills and spills of authentic medieval jousting.

The venue’s tiltyard will resound to the clamour and clash of a live action tournament as the Royal Armouries Museum’s own jouster Andy Deane and team mate Stacy Van Dolah-Evans will be competing for England and hoping to topple the current champions Poland who won both the individual and team event last year.

Atkinson Action Horses will be supplying the horses for the events and demonstrating some of the skills of their horses during the Tournament.

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There will also 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.

PIC: James HardistyPIC: James Hardisty
PIC: James Hardisty

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.

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.

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