Palace knight club
Scone is the perfect setting for medieval fighting
Evan Miller (5) from Coupar Angus The clatter of armour could be heard in the vicinity of Scone Palace on Saturday as the historic venue hosted the UK’s premier full-contact medieval battle group for a day of duelling.
‘Battle Heritage: The Tournament of Destiny’ also featured team fights, archery and a medieval military encampment as the picturesque palace went back to its roots for the day.
Saturday’s showpiece was also designed to flag-up the fact Scone Palace is hosting the International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships from May 10-13 next year.
While medieval re-enactment fighting has been popular for decades, countries around the world are signing up for full-contact events, in which ancient combat is revived as a regulated sport featuring historically accurate weapons and armour.
Organisers and participants say the sport is relatively free of injuries and that rugby players sustain more bumps and scrapes than those taking part in full-contact medieval fights.
The idea for Scone Palace to start hosting the full contact battles came from William Murray, Viscount Stormont and son of the Earl and Countess of Mansfield.
While working in New York, William (28) learned about the growing popularity of the sport and met several American and Canadian fighters.
After meeting the vice-president of the International Medieval Combat Federation, William offered to host the 2018 world championships at Scone Palace.
Describing his first brush with fullcontact medieval combat, William said: “It was quite the spectacle, like watching boxing in armour.
“It was hugely entertaining to watch, and not for the faint-hearted. I was brought up watching the film A Knight’s Tale, so I found myself completely taken by the sport.
“It’s a real coup for us to be hosting the World Championships.”
Participant Kirsty Langley (28) explained: “A lot of it for me is the camaraderie between the fighters.
“Even if you’re going against someone and giving them a battering, there’s a social aspect to it where you get together with them afterwards and all is good.
“It’s very much like rugby in that sense,” says Kirsty, who has been playing rugby since university.
But she also loves the transformation that takes place for her when she dons real armour and goes hell for leather on a battlefield.
“Most people’s kits are from Western Europe and are lighter. Mine is from Russia and is much heavier than your average, especially the helmet. I like that my helmet is slightly scary. I put on my armour and get into a different zone,” says Londoner Kirsty, who was brought up in Hammersmith and now lives in Feltham.
Just six months into FCMC, Kirsty, part of the South East Invicta team, is making her mark.
She has won a silver medal in sword fighting and tackled gold and bronze medallists at a world championship event this year in Denmark.
And she enjoys that she and her fellow female participants, although still numbering far fewer than the men, are turning the tide.
“South East Invicta has three members, whereas other regional teams only have one. Just last weekend we had three more women come along to the training to see what it was all about. I think the ‘Game of Thrones’ effect is very real.”
She added: “In medieval times women weren’t allowed to wear armour and fight, but we’re proving that we can do as good a job on the battlefield as the men.
“It’s brilliant to be doing things that men in the Crusades did. And it’s a great feeling when one of the blokes come up to me and tells me ‘You packed a proper punch’.” Armoured knights do battle
Heather McArthur, sales and events manager for Scone Palace, said: “We feel that this is the perfect setting for next year’s International Medieval Combat Federation World Championships.
“With 2017 being Scotland’s Year of History and Archaeology, it is fitting that we should be bringing alive the past, and the medieval period in particular, in our historic grounds.”
Nick Birkin, spokesperson for Battle Heritage, the group behind the weekend’s event, said: “We’re seeing full-contact medieval combat rising in popularity, from the UK to mainland Europe, New Zealand to South Africa.
“With Scotland’s medieval history, it makes sense for Scone Palace to play host to our world championships next year.”