May Day in England is recognized as a time
for worker's solidarity.
These groups in Chesterfield represent
Trades Unions, groups associated with
worker's rights, and Peace activists.


Several miles away at Bolsover Castle,
we go back in time to experience life in the
seventeenth century.

This castle looks like a fortress, as it commands
a view of the Vale of Scarsdale.














The Cavendish family built the house to
celebrate the age of Chivalry and Romance .






May Day was also the Knights' Tournament at the Castle. This is the 'real thing' - history brought to life! Four teams, each with a Knight and several of his Squires, compete. The Tournament moves to a different castle each month and culminates in the Grand Final at the end of the summer.



Blue Team - Challenger for the North Sir John Babbington



















Yellow Team - Challenger for the East
Sir George Melton





















Red Team - Challenger for the South
Sir Thomas Heron












Green Team - Challenger for the West
Sir Richard Mortimer

















Squires prepare their longbows for the archery competition











The Knight Marshall, and his men, judicate each event.








The Squires shoot over a distance of 66 feet.


















Falconers provide a different kind of sporting event. The Master Falconer puts his birds through their paces; an ancient and highly skilled sport. The birds are resting in the pavilion prior to taking the field. These birds were used to hunt game for the King and his Lords'.











Squires take the field once more for the Mounted Skill at Arms competition. They are outfitted in heavy armor for protection. This is not a rehearsed fight! The Squires took some nasty blows from these medieval weapons.




















Knights prepare for the Mounted Skills at Arms contest.




































The mounted Knights strike at a cabbage with a sword, thrust a javelin into a straw dummy, and strike a quintain so that it revolves a complete 360 degrees. The joust is perhaps the most exciting and recognizable activity of the tournament. The Knights are mounted in full armor and charge at each other with lances at a speed of 50 mph!
UNFORTUNATELY my camera battery expired at this most crucial time - no photographs!


The VICTOR: Sir George Melton -Challenger for the East
Yellow Team - scored the most points .