Wed. Dec 4th, 2024
photo ©Julia Claxton

International jousting tournament comes to Arundel Castle, 25 – 30 July

Competitors from around the world are heading to Arundel Castle this month to vie for the prestigious Order of Arundel at the spectacular Jousting and Medieval Tournament (25-30 July) – the pinnacle of the Castle’s events calendar.

Joust Week at Arundel Castle, 23rd July 2013 photo ©Julia Claxton

The gruelling six-day tournament, which is the longest of its kind in the world, will see representatives from England, France, Norway and Poland face off in a thrilling battle of strength, skill and nerve.

With rivalries as fierce as ever as the competition enters its ninth year at Arundel Castle, visitors can expect edge-of-their-seat excitement from the off as competitors mounted on horseback and clad in gleaming full plate armour lead an action-packed programme. 

Played out in the shadow of the mighty Castle, Arundel Castle’s Jousting and Medieval Tournament is the only competition of its kind in the country. The jousters are required to wear full plate armour, in-keeping with the 15th century authenticity of the event. This is no mean feat, as the armour can weigh on average 25-35 kilos.

The jousters cannot defend themselves while they focus on striking their opponent, they have to rely on the quality of their armour to protect them. The competitors must also be mindful of damage to their armour, as any repairs or adjustments required will be made in real time in the site’s tented encampment during the event.

As an added challenge, each jouster will only meet their steed for the contest in the moments before their first joust, and will rotate through a selection of horses throughout the week, as a true test of horsemanship. The 14 beautiful horses are specially trained for jousting, and will navigate the tilt rail with equal amounts of speed, precision and grace.  With horsemanship being measured as part of the competition, striking up a successful partnership with their mount will be almost as important as striking their opponent!

Reaching combine impact speeds of up to 35-45mph

Jousting is not for the faint hearted, but promises an awe-inspiring visual spectacle for spectators.

After months of intense preparation, each competitor will be hoping to secure both individual and team victory – none more so than the two female jousters, Alison Mercer and Bente Andresen, who are joining the field for the first time this year representing the England and Norway respectively.

France will also be hoping to change its fortunes, as despite competing in all nine tournaments at Arundel Castle, it is yet to emerge triumphant.

In addition to the action at the tilt rail, visitors will also be able to enjoy more activities than ever before including daring hand-to-hand combat challenges, craft displays, ancient cookery demonstrations, storytelling and have-a-go archery.

photo ©Julia Claxton

Castle Manager

Bryan McDonald commented: “What an exciting week we have in store for our visitors during the Jousting and Medieval Tournament! This year is our biggest jousting event to date – and I am certain it will also be our best.

“The eight talented competitors have travelled from all over the world to take part in this tournament, so they will be giving their all in every challenge they face. I look forward to seeing great rivalries play out at the tilt rail and hearing roars of support from the audience, of course!”

For more information on Arundel Castle and its events calendar, or to purchase tickets for the Jousting and Medieval Tournament, including access to the event, Castle and Gardens, please visit: www.arundelcastle.org.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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