Swords, shields and suits of armour will bring medieval scenes to a city church when a national tournament of duelling and melee arrives.
Norwich’s medieval combat school Knights Tower will host the tournament later this year, which is open to beginners who want to have a swing at sword fighting.
Knights Tower was started four years ago by Lee Warden and has enjoyed a surge in popularity, boasting 30 to 40 regular members with some as young as six years old.
They train people to fight in both soft kit and full steel armour and Lee uses his years of experience to help coach those who want to learn.
He describes it as "exhausting and terrifying at times" for the group, which meets at St Lawrence Church on St Benedicts Street every Saturday lunchtime.
"I'm the team captain for the school so if people want to learn then we are able to provide that for them," Lee explains.
"The rules for the tournament are based on a manuscript from the 1430s, it was written I believe by the king of France and the translation is available so that's what we base our rules on."
The 34-year-old is passionate about representing Norwich’s medieval history, saying that the sport appeals to history buffs and people wanting to try something new.
Knights Tower is preparing to host its first national tournament, which will be held at Norfolk Tank Museum, near Long Stratton, on May 5 and 6.
Tickets are available to watch fighters in armour compete in a variety of different fighting styles including one-on-one duelling and three-on-three melee fights.
Last year some fighters from the school were part of an exhibition outside the British Museum, with fantasy TV epics like Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones inspiring a renaissance of medieval combat sports.
"I don't think people realise until they try it, just how heavy it all is," Lee added. "It's not without risk of course, but all the weapons are blunted.
"But you can really get a sense for what it was like if someone bashes you over the head with a two-handed axe. It does prove that armour works."
For those keen to test their mettle, open sessions are run every Saturday at midday at St Lawrence Church, with the first session free and £5 for adults or £2 for children after that.
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