Image: a female knight knights a small boy

Summer knights

Enjoy an extraordinary summer seeing our knights in action. Whether you're going to a joust or a tournament, find out about the history of knights as well as what you can expect at our events. Do you know the difference between thirteenth and fifteenth-century knights? What's a tilt rail? These questions and many others are answered below.

A brief history of knights

Forget what you think you know about knights in shining armour. Historian Dr Charles Kightly breaks down the myths to reveal a brief history of medieval knights.

Discover the history

A knight's tale

Before you see the knights at our sites this summer, find out more about what will be on show.

A brief history of knights' tournaments

Discover the origins of tournaments and how these daring events turned some knights into celebrities.
Joust spotters' guide

Discover some of the details to look out for at our extraordinary fifteenth-century jousts this summer.
Spot the difference

What's the difference between a thirteenth and fifteenth-century knight? Quite a lot as it happens!

Knights on screen

From olympians trying out jousting to tips on how to make your own chain mail, enjoy our videos all about knights and their adventures.

How to Train a Knight
How to make chain mail
Jousting: the ultimate sport
Victoria Pendleton: Jousting With An Olympic Champion

Image: Infographic of stats about knights and jousting

See the knights in action!

Go back in time and get closer to the action as rival knights compete in tournaments, jousts and clashes at sites across the country this summer. Whether its thirteenth or fifteenth century skills on display, all of our events offer extraordinary fun for would-be knights of all ages.

Book now