A SCHOOL field in Feltham was transformed this week into a magical 'battle ground' for hundreds of youngsters.
Fairholme School, Peacock Avenue, hosted the special event on Tuesday May 24 so everyone could watch the 'Knights of the Damned' ride into battle.
More than 500 youngsters, parents and staff from Bedfont Primary School, Southville Primary School, Cardinal Road Infant School, Crane Park Primary School and Forge Lane Primary School went to Fairholme to see what the professional Mediaeval jousting team could do.
Head teacher Ken Noakes described it as a "stunning event", saying: "The sound of galloping hooves, a lance striking a shield, the cry of a fallen rider, the essence of days long gone when knights rode into battle on horseback and a lady’s honour in the form of a favour was all important.
"And all of this was heard on the playing fields of Fairholme School last week as the school played host to the UK’s leading professional medieval jousting stunt team, The Knights of the Damned."
Four knights on horseback, four squires and a story teller took the audience back to the year 1386. The tournament began with the knights honing their skills by striking the man-shaped target. This was followed by a display of riding where the knights tried to unhorse each other in the “joust.”
Mr Noakes said: "The children cheered wildly for their favourite knight and booed the unchivalrous antics of the Black Knight.
"After the knights romantically accepted favours from the girls (and boys) in the audience children and adults were thrilled by superbly choreographed foot fights with long swords, flaming fireballs on chains and unyielding quarterstaffs as each knight battled for supremacy against another."
Seven-year-old Ellen Josling, who attends Fairholme School, said: "It was an excellent day. I can still feel the breeze on my cheeks from the galloping horses dashing past me.
"The jousting team made me laugh, cheer and frightened all at the same time."
