Tiltyard
Encyclopedia
A tiltyard was an enclosed courtyard
for jousting
(also known as "tilting"). Tiltyards were a common feature of late medieval castles and palaces. The Horse Guards Parade
in London
was formerly the tiltyard constructed by Henry VIII
as an entertainment venue adjacent to Whitehall Palace; it was the site of the Accession Day tilt
s in the reigns of Elizabeth I
and James I
.
Henry VIII also constructed a tiltyard at Hampton Court Palace
, where one of the towers, known as the Tiltyard Tower, was used for viewing the tournaments below.
A modern tiltyard was constructed outside the Royal Armouries
in Leeds
for demonstrations of medieval martial pursuits, including jousting and falconry.
Another tiltyard used during the reign of Queen Elizabeth existed at Kenilworth Castle
in Warwickshire
. It was constructed on top of one of the dams that formed part of the water defences between the outer bailey and the bridgehead
. Today it forms the main walkway to the castle.
Courtyard
A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. These areas in inns and public buildings were often the primary meeting places for some purposes, leading to the other meanings of court....
for jousting
Jousting
Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two knights mounted on horses and using lances, often as part of a tournament.Jousting emerged in the High Middle Ages based on the military use of the lance by heavy cavalry. The first camels tournament was staged in 1066, but jousting itself did not...
(also known as "tilting"). Tiltyards were a common feature of late medieval castles and palaces. The Horse Guards Parade
Horse Guards Parade
Horse Guards Parade is a large parade ground off Whitehall in central London, at grid reference . It is the site of the annual ceremonies of Trooping the Colour, which commemorates the monarch's official birthday, and Beating Retreat.-History:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
was formerly the tiltyard constructed by Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
as an entertainment venue adjacent to Whitehall Palace; it was the site of the Accession Day tilt
Accession Day tilt
The Accession Day tilts were a series of elaborate festivities held annually at the court of Elizabeth I of England to celebrate her Accession Day, 17 November, also known as Queen's Day...
s in the reigns of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
and James I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
.
Henry VIII also constructed a tiltyard at Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London; it has not been inhabited by the British royal family since the 18th century. The palace is located south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames...
, where one of the towers, known as the Tiltyard Tower, was used for viewing the tournaments below.
A modern tiltyard was constructed outside the Royal Armouries
Royal Armouries
The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom's National Museum of Arms and Armour. It is the United Kingdom's oldest museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world. It is also one of the largest collections of arms and armour in the world, comprising the UK's National Collection of Arms and...
in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
for demonstrations of medieval martial pursuits, including jousting and falconry.
Another tiltyard used during the reign of Queen Elizabeth existed at Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle is located in the town of the same name in Warwickshire, England. Constructed from Norman through to Tudor times, the castle has been described by architectural historian Anthony Emery as "the finest surviving example of a semi-royal palace of the later middle ages, significant...
in Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
. It was constructed on top of one of the dams that formed part of the water defences between the outer bailey and the bridgehead
Bridgehead
A bridgehead is a High Middle Ages military term, which antedating the invention of cannons was in the original meaning expressly a referent term to the military fortification that protects the end of a bridge...
. Today it forms the main walkway to the castle.