Leeds nostalgia: Till yard tussle set for Royal Armouries

Date:24th March 2016. Picture James Hardisty.
The twentieth anniversary Easter Jousting Tournamnet at the Royal Armouries, Leeds. Pictured Andy Deane, holding Jasmine, from the Royal Armouries who will be representing England during the weekends contest. — Date:24th March 2016. Picture James Hardisty. The twentieth anniversary Easter Jousting Tournamnet at the Royal Armouries, Leeds. Pictured Andy Deane, holding Jasmine, from the Royal Armouries who will be representing England during the weekends contest.

The museum, which marked its 20th anniversary last year, 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.

The competition was a sell-out in 2016. Each day of the tournament weekend will be packed with pomp and pageantry, music and minstrels plus two not-to-be-missed dangerously entertaining tournament shows.

The Royal Armouries introduces the Knight’s Apprentice Horse Shows on April 8 & 9 as three courageous trainee knights compete for the honour of taking part in the Easter Tournament. Under the watchful eye of experts from the Royal Armouries and Atkinson Action Horses the apprentices will face a range of arena challenges designed to test their suitability. Only one will win the chance to squire for the world class knights competing in the medieval tournament.

Less than a week later the tiltyard will resound to the clamour and clash of a live action tournament, as six highly experienced knights battle for the coveted Sword of Honour and the prestigious Queen’s Jubilee Trophy in the Easter Tournament (April 14-17).

As well as individual competitions spectators can get behind their favourite team as Royal Armouries first timers ‘Team Norway’, join event stalwarts ‘Team England’ and ‘Team France’ as they lock lances and the tension builds through the exciting four-day jousting tournament. Easter Monday will feature special events, including a melee, parade of knights as well as the grand final.

Rachael Bevan, events manager, said: “We have introduced an exciting new twist to our Easter events programme with the Knight’s Apprentice horse shows, where audiences will be able to find out just how much work goes into training to be a Knight.

“Then we will move on to the international jousting heavyweights to provide the competitive drama over the Easter Tournament weekend.

Cheer on your favourite knight in shining armour as they clash head to head in an August Bank Holiday Tournament at the Royal Armouries Museum this weekend (August 27-29).

Experience all the thrills, spills and sheer excitement of authentic jousting, as knights don full armour and wield their lances in the battle to secure the ultimate prize The Queens Golden Jubilee Trophy. — Cheer on your favourite knight in shining armour as they clash head to head in an August Bank Holiday Tournament at the Royal Armouries Museum this weekend (August 27-29). Experience all the thrills, spills and sheer excitement of authentic jousting, as knights don full armour and wield their lances in the battle to secure the ultimate prize The Queens Golden Jubilee Trophy.

“This year we have an impressive first-time team from Norway, a very strong French team including female jouster Marie Baron, as well as our very own Andy Deane, once again seeking glory for Team England and in the individual competition. With the amazing horse skills to add in to the mix it promises to be a great day out for everyone.”

The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Activities in the museum start at 10.45am. Arena shows will be at 12pm and 3pm and last approximately 45 minutes. Tickets include both shows.

Tickets: Good Friday: adult £10/conc £6/family £25, Saturday: adult £10/conc £6/family £25, Easter Sunday:adult £10/conc £6/family £25, Easter Monday: adult £14/conc £10/family £39. For more ticket details, see the website: