Good old fashioned fun brings crowds to joust

One of the most popular events of the West Sussex calendar drew the crowds last weekend, despite some bad weather.

Yet again the Arundel Castle International Jousting & Medieval Tournament proved to be a real hit. The contest is the longest of its kind in the world.

Four teams comprised of knights from as far afield as the USA competed for glory, while the individual knights were in the running for induction into the Order of Arundel - the highest honour a knight can receive in the UK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mounted on beautiful steeds, specifically trained to be ridden in jousts, these knights put on an astounding showcase of strategic and physical prowess throughout the week long tournament.

As the tournament entered its seventh year at Arundel Castle, rivalries between teams and nations were fiercer than ever with the Kingdom of England riding to victory.

Team England were delighted to regain the title, having lost out to the Burgundian Alliance in 2014.

Knights Stacy Van Dolah Evans and Darth Rimmer are pictured top right posing with the winners’ rings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Taking the individual jousting title this year was Jarek Struczynski, knight of the Kingdom of Poland.

The award for the Most Chilvalrous Knight of the competition was given to Darth Rimmer, knight of the Kingdom of England while Luc Petillot, knight of the Kingdom of France took the Skill At Arms title.

The last day of the joust is also becoming known as ‘engagment day’.

In 2013, Stacy Evans proposed to Lady Kyle Van Dolah and this year, Head Falconer Kevin Lochner proposed to his girlfriend in the chapel .

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jousting medals and trophies were handed out on Sunday July 26 by Angela Standing, Deputy Mayor of Arundel.

The next event to take place at Arundel Castle will be the Living History Day today (Thursday 30 July).

Further information on the Castle and its 2015 event calendar can be found at www.arundelcastle.org.

Pictures by Victoria Dawe.