BLENHEIM Palace proved a fitting backdrop for a whole host of falconry, archery and battle by horseback over the May bank holiday.

The long weekend saw chequered-clad knights gallivanting into the stunning grounds to battle on horseback at the palace's three-day jousting tournament.

Crowds of show-goers cheered on the Knights of Royal England as they battled it out lance in hand.

The valiant knights fighting on horseback at the event include Sir Stephen of Porlock, Sir Sam of Hever, Lord Ashley of Hampshire and Sir Jasper.

Sir Jasper - also known as Jeremy Richardson, from Kent - said: "Blenheim Palace is a really brilliant place to joust and we've had an absolutely fantastic time.

"We've attracted huge crowds since we've been here, probably more than 7,000 each day and it seems as if everyone has really enjoyed it."

Knights dressed in traditional full gear to give the audience a truly medieval experience of jousting and those on horseback showed off their skills as they aimed their lance for the quintain and others turned to swords for close quarters combat.

Mr Richardson said: "We demonstrate a variety of skills in our shows, we have people picking things up off the floor from horseback and tilting, which is a form of jousting.

"It's nice to show off a lot of different activities to the crowds."

The tournament hoped to recreate the jousting matches of skill and bravery of Britain's 13th Century and even was even recreated in the same place on the south lawn where the 9th Duke of Marlborough would have actually jousted in the early 1900’s.

Mr Richardson jousts with his son Sam - or Sir Sam of Hever - and at 25-years-old he is the youngest jouster of the group.

Sam said: "I'm the youngest in the group by a long way but it's great to be able to joust with my dad and to have a good time."

Alongside the tournament - which ran from Saturday, April 30, to Monday, May 2 - crowds enjoyed birds of prey displays, dragon shows and turned their hand to trying archery.

Harris the hawk, Eagle Owl and and American Kestrel also swished and swooped among the crowds in an exciting display.

Also new for this year's tournament was the chance to ride around the heritage site by horse and carriage as well as watch the medieval jesters providing comical entertainment across the weekend.

Youngsters took the reins elsewhere in the grounds to put on their very own jousting tournament with 35 puppets they had created and Yumi the 12ft long dragon.