VISITORS to Old Sarum Castle will be catapulted into two days of medieval merriment with a thrilling Knights’ Tournament over the bank holiday weekend.

Swords will be wielded, archery skills tested and helmets battered as these knights are put to the test.

This English Heritage event sees a troupe of medieval knights competing for victory. Hailing from the four corners of the country and assisted by their squires, the knights will come together to battle it out at Old Sarum.

The four armoured knights and their squires will compete in three gruelling rounds, including hand-to-hand combat and archery competitions.

This exciting event will transport visitors back to the 15th century, offering a mix of pageantry, excitement and action, whilst providing them with a real taste of the fearsome battles that took place at Old Sarum Castle in days gone by.

The full tournament experience will be brought to life with a living history encampment where the knights’ supporters will welcome visitors to see what life would have been like on the move for medieval soldiers and their families as they travelled from place to place to fight for king and country.

Visitors can also enjoy falconry displays, be entertained by the castle jester and budding young knights can take part in junior jousting and practice their sword skills in the children’s melee.

English Heritage events manager Jenny Davie said: “It’s not choreographed, but an authentic battle – and is as close to the tournaments of medieval England as we can make it.”

“Our four knights are highly trained, and take the competition really seriously. They don’t pull their punches, and rely on their armour and wits to protect them from the blows of their opponent – and literally, anyone could win.”

The event is on Sunday and Monday and runs from 11am until 5pm. For more information go to english-heritage.org.uk