Travel to the 11th Century at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is a one-of-a-kind dining and entertainment experience. Where else can you enter a European style castle and be immediately transported to the 11th century? Where else can you dine on a feast fit for a King while cheering your favorite knight to victory as he skillfully jousts and sword fights his mighty opponent while atop a magnificent Andalusian stallion. Nowhere else but Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. It’s been entertaining guests in North America since 1983. And if you haven’t yet experienced it, now is the time.



The Medieval Times Experience
As guests enter the European-style castle, which was founded by a noble family in Spain whose lineage dates back to the 11th century, they are awestruck by the soaring tower, elaborately decorated Hall of Arms, the Knight Club, and the Museum of Torture. More excitement as well as beauty await at an indoor stable viewing area where the Medieval Times spectacular horses can be viewed as they prepare for the evening’s tournament.

As the time approaches for dinner and the competition, guests are seated in the castle’s Grand Ceremonial Arena, where after being given colored crowns, they cheer for one of six knights (donning matching colored tunics) who chivalrously vie for the honor of King’s Champion. During the contest, guests are served a medieval-style four-course dinner in pre-silverware fashion by servants in period attire.


The Noble Knights
All knights performing at Medieval Times uphold a two-decade tradition of beginning as squires, enduring up to 500 hours of rigorous training before achieving knighthood. The knights fight with genuine titanium and wooden weaponry and require hours of intense daily practice with trainers and horses prior to going before a live audience. Knightly competitions, contests and duels enacted during a performance are authentically choreographed to match the medieval traditions of knighthood.


The Horses
Medieval Times is the North American leader in preserving the thousand-year-old pure bloodline of Andalusian horses, a Spanish breed that served royalty in the 11th century. One of the most rare breeds in the world, the Spanish Andalusian Stallion is the pride and joy of Medieval Times. Originating from the Iberian Peninsula and named for the region in Spain called Andalusia, the Andalusian was the “royal horse of Europe” and is one of the great, ancient equine breeds. Andalusians possess a proud but docile temperament, and are sensitive and particularly intelligent, responsive and cooperative, learning quickly and easily when treated with respect and care.

Medieval Times owns and cares for 30 horses, ranging from three to 16 years old. Though it takes great pride in its snowy Andalusian Stallions, it also proudly features other breeds at the castle, including Friesian, Minorcan, Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.


Noble Tradition Reigns

In 1991, Medieval Times opened its 241-acre Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Texas, where the horses are safely bred, cared for, and trained for performance in Medieval Times’ nine castles throughout North America. Each spring, the ranch celebrates the birth of many Andalusian foals at its Texas facility. As young colts, the horses are introduced to halters and lead ropes. They are pampered and tamed, and grow accustomed to being in close proximity to humans.

At age two, the horses are old enough to begin simple training, including lunging, working with long reins and saddle. After receiving their first shoes at age three, basic training is completed at the Texas ranch. The horses are then transported from their first home at the ranch to one of the nine Medieval Times castles.

At the castle, the master trainer begins teaching the horses advanced level dressage through gentle manipulation of the reins. As the horses become more experienced, a special four-rein harness is used to properly position the head and to develop the elegantly bowed neck. After many years of advanced training, the horses are ready to move into the spotlight as a feature performer in the Grand Ceremonial Arena. Many of the choreographed moves the horses make are traditions established thousands of years ago. During the nightly performance, guests experience the feats of horsemanship achieved through the careful training at the ranch and castle.


Medieval Times was founded by a family from Majorca, Spain whose noble lineage dates back to the 11th century. For castle locations, reservations, hours, admission and group rates, visit www.medievaltimes.com or call 888.935.6878.