April 30, 2010
Despite Met Office warnings to the contrary, today’s weather was dry and sunny, if just a little chilly at times – so sitting on the South Lawn at Blenheim Palace and watching the jousting was a great way to spend the afternoon. Blenheim is a striking Baroque palace set in over 2000 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown. There are also pleasure gardens, including a butterfly house, a large adventure play area and the Marlborough Maze.
The twice-daily jousting tournaments by The Knights of Royal England are preceded by birds of prey demonstrations by falconer Michael Davie. Both are excellent family entertainment and children are actively encouraged to participate in the shows. Michael Davie invited volunteers from the audience to experience having a Harris hawk or an American eagle landing on their arm. In the second demonstration all the children were asked to sit in the centre of the arena whilst the owl swooped low – just above their heads. It’s impressive stuff and the kids loved it.
The Knights started their show by asking children to join them for a parade around the arena; the children were given mediaeval weapons to carry, including swords, maces, flails and sticks. Then the jousts began and everyone was encouraged to cheer for their favourite knight. To see horses at full gallop, with their riders holding shields and four-metre lances yet remaining totally unfazed is breathtaking; it shows what highly accomplished equestrians The Knights are. As well as jousting, The Knights indulged in other mediaeval entertainment, both on and off horseback.
There are plenty of food and drink stands as well as the palace cafés – but many people had taken picnics and that seems a sensible way of keeping the cost down. The palace is also offering free ticket upgrades to annual passes that seem very good value.
The twice-daily jousting tournaments by The Knights of Royal England are preceded by birds of prey demonstrations by falconer Michael Davie. Both are excellent family entertainment and children are actively encouraged to participate in the shows. Michael Davie invited volunteers from the audience to experience having a Harris hawk or an American eagle landing on their arm. In the second demonstration all the children were asked to sit in the centre of the arena whilst the owl swooped low – just above their heads. It’s impressive stuff and the kids loved it.
The Knights started their show by asking children to join them for a parade around the arena; the children were given mediaeval weapons to carry, including swords, maces, flails and sticks. Then the jousts began and everyone was encouraged to cheer for their favourite knight. To see horses at full gallop, with their riders holding shields and four-metre lances yet remaining totally unfazed is breathtaking; it shows what highly accomplished equestrians The Knights are. As well as jousting, The Knights indulged in other mediaeval entertainment, both on and off horseback.
There are plenty of food and drink stands as well as the palace cafés – but many people had taken picnics and that seems a sensible way of keeping the cost down. The palace is also offering free ticket upgrades to annual passes that seem very good value.