The Dove Valley Arts Society welcomes back Toby Capwell, whose Richard III lecture we enjoyed so much. He is an academic specialist who is also one of the world’s foremost jousters and medieval martial artists.

In the Renaissance, Christmas was a popular time to hold jousts, tournaments and courtly spectacles. In the dark, dead of winter, a colourful, glamorous celebration of chivalry very much took on the role of a kind of sixteenth-century 'festival of light'. In England, Christmas jousts became especially popular under that famous lover of armour and fighting, King Henry VIII. Meanwhile, in the German Empire, the Habsburg courts held fabulous winter masques.

There is a £5 entry charge for non-members.

This is one of a series of events - please be aware that if you attend more than one event then you will be asked to become a member.