Mediaeval combat shows, both on foot and on horseback, shows from falconers and ancient executioners, armour presentations, live music, workshops for children and adults, a live action game, an organic food market, mediaeval arts and crafts shows and, last but not least, a real knight's camp (professional mercenary sergeants-at-arms: members of the Polish Association of Mediaeval Combat): these and many more attractions are waiting or you at the grounds of Leśnica Castle on 5 October.
Mediaeval knights
This year's Jadwiżański Fair is a real treat for those who enjoy watching mediaeval tournaments would like to see the flower of Polish chivalry in live combat. Leśnica Castle will host knights with professional expertise in the field of mediaeval combat. They represent a new and rapidly developing branch of martial arts which, for several years now, has entertained audiences throughout the world. Knights in full armour (replicas) engage in full combat, using real swords, halberds, axes, billhooks, etc. Modern chivalric sports combat differs from its mediaeval counterpart in that the contestants are using blunt weapons.
Photograph: Archive Battle of the Nations
This spectacular, sharp and violent combat is nonetheless safe to contestants due to special protective measures and relevant regulations. It is also the Polish Association of Mediaeval Combat that has formed Poland's Chivalric National Team, which is one of the leading teams of this kind throughout the world, ahead of such countries as Germany, England, the US. Australia, Israel, Japan or Spain.
For one Sunday in October, the castle grounds in Leśnica will be teeming with real warriors who will face each other in combat both on foot and on horseback and will carry out workshops on mediaeval combat as a sports discipline. The event will also serve as the opportunity to visit a knight's camp and to see chivalric armour and weapons up-close.
Birds of prey and falconry shows
Falconry shows from Vancoš Group , a duo of experienced falconers, will also be one of the attractions at this year's edition of the fair. The show will cover 15 different species, including falcon, saker, eagle-owl, buzzard and even eagle and condor. Birds, as they fly among the audience, will give a display of their speed and agility.
Photograph: Archive Battle of the Nations
Executioner and instruments of torture
Mediaeval torturers will also visit the fair: Katostwo Nyskie is a two-people troupe that reconstructs the harsh reality of such ancient professions as the torturer and inquisitor (spanning 13th to 18th centuries). They will present a variety of instruments of torture, including the inquisitor's chair, chain of cheats or coat of shame (30 different instruments overall). The vivid figures of the Torturer and the Inquisitor will give the audience a chance to feel the atmosphere of those dark and gloomy times in human history.
Photograph: archive
Fair, craftsmen, musicians and workshops
Additionally, the audience will also be offered to take part in archery competitions, have a closer look at a mediaeval smithery workshop and learn the secrets of other arts and crafts from the era. Tradesmen offering organic products made with traditional recipes will also have their stands at the fair. Music will be provided the Tryzna Association for the Reconstruction of Mediaeval Culture, who will perform ancient mediaeval music with faithful replicas of period instruments.
Tryzna Association for the Reconstruction of Mediaeval Culture Photograph: lenart.fotografia.pl
Children will in turn be able to join recycling workshops to learn how to make a suite of armour as well as workshops on how to produce hand-made paper, and to visit a specially designated archaeological area or join a live action game.
The Fair will come to a spectacular close with the Mediaeval Fire Show performed by the Silesia Historical Reconstruction Group.
Photograph: Krzysztof Paszkiewicz
This year's attractions
- Knight's Tournament for Princess Jadwiga's Bootee(Polish Association of Mediaeval Combat)
- Early Middle Ages warriors show (Silesia Historical Reconstruction Group)
- Combat on horseback (Polish Association of Mediaeval Combat)
- Knight's camp
- Archery stand
- Mediaeval smithery workshop
- Falconry show (Vancoš Group, Czech Republic)
- "Play with the Torturer" - Inquisitors and Torturers live (Katostwo Nyskie Troupe)
- Exhibitions devoted to instruments of torture, punishment and executions
- Mediaeval music live from Tryzna
- Ancient dance workshops
- "Little Armourer" children's competition for the best handmade suite of armour
- Recycling workshops "Armour for a Little Knight" (Anima Create)
- Historical live action game for children
- Handmade paper production workshops (Museum of Paper-Making in Duszniki-Zdrój)
- Archaeological area for children (Wroclaw City Museum)
- Games and competitions for the audience
- Mediaeval Fire Show (Silesia Historical Reconstruction Group)
