Jousting makes a castle comeback

Jousting if back at Rockingham for the first time in 500 years

Centuries ago knights were a common sight for royalty and their subjects at Rockingham Castle in the heart of Northamptonshire.

Now, after five centuries, that sight is being recreated with a jousting tournament.

Organiser Sam Humprey said he had never intended to start jousing - he just fell into.

"We had some riding stables and my father was asked to supply some horses to stuntmen who were going to do some jousting

"The were injured and I ended up taking the art of one of the knights."

Sam is one of the best and worked on the BBC drama By the Sword Divided shot at the castle, and on big movies like Gladiator.

Family home

Knights and ladies of the Nottingham Jousting Association will be re-creating a tournament at Rockingham Castle on Sunday 6 June.

A group of youngsters from Corby who caught a glimpse of rehearsal at the picturesque castle declared it cool.

William the Conqueror ordered a castle at Rockingham.

Almost 1,000 years later in the great hall there are portaits of kings and queens who have stayed there over the ages, incuding Henry the VIII who handed the estate to Edward Watson.

The castle is still home to the Saunders Watson family.

And if the jousting proves a hit, the event could be held every year.