The Knights and ladies enter the field to the call of the hunting horn. A circuit of the arena is made to give the audience an opportunity to see all the contestants before they present themselves to the compere who outlines the format of the show, introduces the concept of the hunt and each of the games in turn. The games are distributed throughout the arena to ensure the public get a good view of the proceedings no matter where they are standing. Whilst the games are presented in a lighthearted approach they are in fact devised to replicate the skills and techniques needed to perform feats dictated in manuscripts of the time such as... read more

Destrier's standard tournament day consists of several performances comprising hunting gamesand skill-at-arms, arming of the Knights display with a jousting competition between two teams of Knights. Throughout, the members and horses remain part of the public's day out displaying medieval horse care and providing informative answers to questions on medieval life in general allowing people - and particularly children - to interact with a popular piece of heritage first hand. Due to Destrier's unique origins as a display team, it is the only one of it's kind in the U.K, which boasts such a commitment to portraying the medieval horseman and woman in such detail... read more

The dynastic struggle now popularly termed "The Wars of the Roses" is an inspiring period of history, populated with larger than life characters, romance and intrigue, heroic deeds and great battles worthy of Homer's epic on the Trojan War.Of the many enduring images of this time is the armoured knight or man at arms, charging into battle mounted on a proud steed. Whilst popular history simplifies the methods of warfare of this time, recent thinking has reverted to consider use of cavalry shock tactics as being one of the tactics employed on the field. From the ill-advised charges at Blore Heath to the near successful gallop to snatch victory... read more

The dynastic struggle now popularly termed "The Wars of the Roses" is an inspiring period of history, populated with larger than life characters, romance and intrigue, heroic deeds and great battles worthy of Homer's epic on the Trojan War.Of the many enduring images of this time is the armoured knight or man at arms, charging into battle mounted on a proud steed. Whilst popular history simplifies the methods of warfare of this time, recent thinking has reverted to consider use of cavalry shock tactics as being one of the tactics employed on the field. From the ill-advised charges at Blore Heath to the near successful gallop to snatch victory... read more