It is within the castle that is going to be reconstructed a courteous(friendly) joust, under the leadership of the English specialist James Hester. It is under the sign of division(sharing) and of understanding of common historic values that take place these European Heritage Days in the castle of Castelnaud.
Old(Former) curator(conservative) of the collections of Royal Armouries of the Tower of London and assistant of preservation of Royal Armouries Museum, James Hester is also a specialist of medieval techniques of fight and ends currently a doctorate on this subject. For this exceptional event, he(it) suggested associating theory with practice: he(it) will confront a series of opponents in fights on foot, with weapons, suits(costumes) and reconstructed equipments of time(period).
Native to England, James Hester goes(surrenders) therefore to France to feel(experience) his combatant's qualities facing every opponent who will be willing to meet his challenge. This one was before announced in a letter of weapons describing precisely theme and rules(rulers) of fights. Clashes will make as part of the defence of a step, here the court(yard) of the châtelet of the castle of Castelnaud, and will be staged on the mythological theme of the war god, Mars. Fights will be made in pleasure, on foot, and in the long sword with an equipment of period going from 1380 till 1430.
This event joins right(straight) line of the politics(policy) of mediation of the castle of Castelnaud which puts forward(advances) for several years a living approach of medieval history(story), in particular through the reconstruction.
Fights between James Hester and his opponents will be intersected, throughout two days, by chat between the public and of reconstituteurs and medieval specialists. Presentations(Displays) of the equipment of the combatants will be also proposed.
The castle of Castelnaud will be also lucky enough(also have the opportunity) during these Heritage Days to welcome Gaël Fabre, gifted manufacturer of swords, Georges Jolliot, blacksmith specialised in creation, or "beating" of armours, and Fabrice Cognot, blacksmith specialist of the medieval weaponry. These three experts and renowned artisans will present to the public their production based on historic sources(springs) and period pieces, and explain secrets of their manufacturing.
[STOP_TRANSLATION]Une visite thématique du musée de la guerre au Moyen Âge qu’abrite le château sera également proposée, pour faire le lien entre la joute de James Hester et les collections. Elle abordera l'évolution de l'équipement du combattant au Moyen Âge et le développement du phénomène des tournois, permettant ainsi d'approfondir les thèmes abordés lors des combats et causeries.
Une activité de découverte de l'escrime médiévale sera également proposée aux enfants, sous la houlette de James Hester lui-même.