Female knights to joust at English castles for the first time

'I have heard how much fun it is. I can't wait to be part of the action this year,' says jouster Nicky Willis

Nicky Willis will be seen jousting at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire (English Heritage/Andrew Maybury)

Female knights are taking part in jousting at English castles this summer for the first time ever.

English Heritage has announced that female jousters will take part in tourneys at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire, Pendennis Castle in Cornwall and Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight.

Originally used as a training exercise for early medieval knights, by the time of King Henry VIII it had become an elaborate and expensive sport for knights, nobles and even royalty.

Women were barred from taking part as only knighted men were eligible.

Emily Sewell, English Heritage's head of events, said: "Historically, the knights who took part in jousting tournaments were an elite band, the best of the best.

"No women were amongst that group.

"Now they are, and in order to bring our visitors the opportunity to witness some of the most accomplished knights on the circuit, it made complete sense to invite the leading female jousters to join us this summer."

Following the popularity of Game of Thrones' Brienne of Tarth, English Heritage wanted to show the most accomplished female jousters, Nicky Willis and Alix van Zijl from the Netherlands, competing against their male counterparts.

Ms Willis said: "I have heard how much fun it is to joust at Kenilworth, and I can't wait to be part of the action this year.

"Kenilworth is famed for some of the most elaborate tournaments in medieval England - as well as playing host to one of England's strongest women, Queen Elizabeth I - so it's the perfect place to sort the women from the boys."