Relive the Middle Ages...!
“Apud Berlar” … the cause to Quondam
Several sources like historian Raymond De Groodt, confirm ’t Hooghuys was the arena of tournaments and shows during the Middle Ages. The castle was called the “Burcht of Berlaer” and “Huus op ten Berch”.
On Quondam, which means “before” in Latin, we want to revive the tournaments of back then. In the oldest known certificate of Berlaar, “Apud Berlar” (1236), is written about divers, successive donations by Gilles II Berthout, the Lord of Berlaer. He used to live in ‘t Hooghuys. Probably, he got deadly wounded during one of the tournaments on his own castle domain. In distress, to get healing, he donated several belongings in less than a week. The abbey of Roosendaal is one of them.
Sword Fighting
Two swords, one winner
Saturday & Sunday at 12h00: sword fighting tournament
Watch anxiously the sword fights between well-trained knights. Before the one-on-one fight begins, the participants face an obstacles run while wearing their full equipment (around 45kg). In that way, we neutralize the physical advantages such as arm length and size to enable the jury to judge objectively the technical skills.
It is no longer a fight over life or death. However, it is not less dangerous. Only well-trained sword fighters are allowed.
On Sunday, the best knights fight against each other in the final.
Knights riding horses …
a spectacular show
Saturday & Sunday at 12h00: Skill at Arms | 14h15 and 16h30: joust
To participate in joust, you had to be a well-off knight. Arised as pastime in times of peace, they fought with hollow wooden lances against each other. The winner got the horse and the equipment of the opponent. Sometimes, the losers even got “captured” and people had to give ransom to the victor. The value of an equipment and a horse back then, is now comparable to a house. So, if you were a successful jouster, you would never lack any money.
The most famous and successful joust knight was, without a doubt, William Marshal, first Earl of Pembroke. He won over 500 joust tournaments.
On Quondam, the jousters represent the following four regions of the Burgundian Empire of the 15th century: County of Flanders, Duchy of Limburg, Duchy of Brabant and County of Burgundy
Jousting
In the morning, they face several tests during the “Skill at Arms”: ring sticking, swine sticking, throwing the javelin, sticking shields and the spectacular apple- or cauliflower stabbing.
In the afternoon, the knights joust individually against each other. During the sticking, they try to collect points as many as possible, by hitting the right spots.
The herald foresees extensive and professional commentary, assisted by a chief referee, point calculator and two other referees.
On Sunday, the best knights struggle against each other in the big final. Do you know already who you are going to cheer for?
Archery
Who has the most strings to his bow?
Saturday & Sunday from 12h00 to 18h00: archery tournament
During the 100 Years War between 1337 and 1453, the English took the opportunity to optimize their archery skills, using a longbow. Since the fourteenth century, archers were the reason why knights didn’t decide anymore who won or lost in a battle. The Battle of Agincourt is a good example of that.
Over 40 archers of different nationalities will impress you with their tricks and show you what their year-long training is worth. With a real longbow in their hand, they face at least two times an obstacles course while shooting at different goals. These goals can go from blazons (round discs pressed out of straw) to 3D-animal figures and even moving targets. In that way you can discover, in an animal friendly way, how archers hunted during the Middle Ages. Hopefully the best ones will win!