Legendary Summer Events 2022
Experience legendary drama at one of our blockbuster historical events taking place across the country this summer.
Witness the pomp and pageantry as brave knights and jousters battle it out in real tournaments, displaying feats of strength and skill to rival today’s top athletes. Sample the sights, smells, and sounds of our atmospheric living history areas, and marvel at historical re-enactors, food tents and armour demonstrations that’ll keep the whole family entertained.
Legendary Jousts
Experience the exhilarating spectacle of speed and skill as four legendary knights compete for honour and glory. See lances shatter, feel the thunder of hooves, and hear the roar of the crowd as our fearless fighters and their magnificent steeds courageously charge toward each other at full speed.
Knights' Tournaments
Get closer to the action as rival knights compete in the ultimate multi-event tournament. Arrows will fly, swords will clatter, but who will emerge victorious from the Grand Melee finale?
Clash of the Romans
Watch the Roman Empire’s finest soldiers compete in an intense show of courage and clout. Two teams will throw spears, take aim on the archery field and clash with swords and shields. Pick a side and cheer them on – but remember, only one will emerge victorious.
Living History
Immerse yourself in the living history encampments, where you can meet colourful characters, witness hand crafts in process, and try on knights’ armour for yourself. Budding warriors can join in with drills out on the field, and even get a test of historical combat in the kids’ battle.
Podcast: Brave Knights and Epic Fights
Go behind the scenes at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire to discover what goes into recreating medieval history with joust organiser Diana Evans and professional jouster Dominic Sewell.
Find more episodesWhat does it take to joust?
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Jousting: The Ultimate Sport
Watch as we put jouster Roy Murray to the test at the University of Bath, where he performed a range of physiological assessments commonly used to measure today's Olympic athletes.
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THE HISTORY OF TOURNAMENTS
Dr Charles Kightly explores the origins of knights' tournaments and how these daring and entertaining events helped to turn some knights into international celebrities.
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Jousting with a champion
See how double Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton got on when we asked her to try the medieval sport of kings at Kenilworth Castle.
More to Explore
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Travel guides
Plan a weekend away or take a short break with our regional travel guides. Our guides are packed with ideas of things to see and do, plus practical advice for getting around.
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Holiday Cottages
Immerse yourself in England's colourful past by staying in one of our unique and historical properties - choose from cosy cottages, gatehouse towers, beachside retreats and more.
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Days out with Dogs
Enjoy a great day out with your dog at an English Heritage property. There are plenty of dog-friendly sites across the whole of England for your furry friends to enjoy.
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Members Do More
Help to keep the story of England's history alive for future generations. Join today and enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of historic places, for yourself and up to 6 children.
