Watch: Sword fights part of big day in Ludlow
When knights in armour cross swords these days it is usually just play-acting – but not at one bank-holiday medieval melee.
Ludlow Castle played host to Battle Heritage, the national club for full-contact medieval fighting, as part of a day of historical family fun.
The club appeared at Ludlow fresh from representing Britain in the world championships of what is a serious sport – where they came second out of similar clubs from 26 countries.
Nick Birkin, of the Crow Hotel, in Tenbury Wells, is the club's events manager, and said the awards would be put on display there.
Speaking at yesterday's medieval extravaganza, he said: "This is not just re-enactment, we do this is a full-contact sport. You could compare it to MMA (mixed marshal arts) in full body armour, with fully authentic weapons – but rounded edges, of course."
The group marched on the castle at 10am and staged battles and displays throughout the day.
Mr Birkin said yesterday: "Today there are 15 fighters and they are doing dualling which is scored on points for the amount of times you hit each other, a bit like boxing."
The group brought a "living village" with them, complete with wives and children in costume.
