In recent years, Ireland and certain parts of the UK have become havens for medieval enthusiasts. There has been a huge surge in medieval sports, with the International Medieval Combat Federation helping to provide people with the chance to battle it out under historic conditions.
A Spike in Medieval Interest
The resurgence in medieval interest has been encouraged by modern media. Game of Thrones, for example, has reignited interest in knights through its blend of rich storytelling and mythical setting. In video games, knights are also featured in fantasy worlds, where people take control of noble warriors. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a good example here, as players are thrust into the action as they play out dynamic, visually striking moments in the Middle Ages.
In other verticals, including iGaming, you also have titles like Knight Fight. This game follows the story of four knight brothers, who settle their arguments via duelling. Four collector knights move and collect symbols that trigger several features. The game also showcases crests of different colours, a homage to knights of distant lands who used to fight for famous families in the medieval era.
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The Rise of Medieval Fighting Events in Dublin and Beyond
Medieval events are being hosted in Ireland, and across the UK, all the time. Medieval MMA is also proving to be quite popular, where combatants use historically accurate armour and swords, although blunted, to engage in competitive fights. The aim is to recreate authentic historic battles, according to tournament rules. Numerous countries are invited to take part, with most events being open to the public. Thousands of spectators watch the events, with dozens of smaller events scattered throughout the year.
Teams like the Glasgow Sword Breakers and Invicta are usually stationed in medieval camps and have to wear authentic, historically accurate clothing at all times to maintain their image. Fighting is always done on foot, with strict rules in place to ensure that the competition is fair and that the fights themselves are safe. Fighting can be done between individuals, or some leagues have up to 16 fighters per side. Events tend to take place between March and August, due to the nature of them taking place outside.
For history buffs, events like this are particularly exciting as they offer the chance to learn more about the era while being given a glimpse into what life was really like at the time. From the nuances of archery to fitting armour, and entertaining famous courts, it’s certainly a way to immerse yourself into the culture of that era, while allowing yourself to learn something new about the way life used to be.
Events like this tend to be very popular and draw hundreds of people from across the country every year. They also help to boost tourism in places like Ireland and across the UK, as events tend to garner attention from international teams. With England being the perfect setting for events like this to take place, it’s certainly an exciting sport that is rapidly increasing in popularity.
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