A fearless woman has broken tradition to become the first female ever to compete again male jousters at an English castle.
Traditionally no females took part in the dangerous tournaments during Medieval times because all elite knights were male.
But today 46-year-old Nicky Willis, a leading female jouster on the European circuit, broke ranks and joined male knights competing at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire.
The landmark decision allowing women to compete against men at English castles was made because of the 'Game of Thrones effect', according to organisers English Heritage.
Take that, m'lady! Women joust with male knights in a British castle for the first time ever - thanks to the Game of Thrones effect
Leading female jouster Nicky Wills was invited to Warwickshire Castle to compete against men in tournament
Landmark decision allowing women to compete against men at English castles made because of Game of Thrones
No females took part in the dangerous competitions during Medieval times, when all elite knights were male
By Amie Gordon For Mailonline
26 June 2016
Daily Mail
A fearless woman has broken tradition to become the first female ever to compete again male jousters at an English castle.
Traditionally no females took part in the dangerous tournaments during Medieval times because all elite knights were male.
But today 46-year-old Nicky Willis, a leading female jouster on the European circuit, broke ranks and joined male knights competing at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire.
The landmark decision allowing women to compete against men at English castles was made because of the 'Game of Thrones effect', according to organisers English Heritage.
Fearless: Nicky Willis, 46, a professional rider who regularly jousts at locations around the continent, competed against three leading male jousters at Kenilworth Castle
Traditionally no females took part in the dangerous tournaments during Medieval times because all elite knights were male - but Ms Willis (pictured), broke that tradition today
The champion: The brave warrior even managed to accumulate more points than her three male counterparts in the competition
British actress Gwendoline Christie plays female knight and warrior Brienne of Tarth in the hit television series, which has taken the world - and clearly the modern jousting scene - by storm.
Hundreds of spectators braved thunderstorms and cheered on Ms Willis, who donned full body armour and carried a red shield as she charged towards the men on her horse.
The brave warrior even managed to accumulate more points than her three male counterparts before the wet weather forced the competition to be suspended.
Ms Willis said: 'Kenilworth is famed for some of the most elaborate tournaments in medieval England - as well as playing host to one of England's strongest women Queen Elizabeth I - so it's the perfect place to sort the women from the boys.'
Steve Lawton (top) was one of the three knights jousting against Nicky Willis (bottom) at Kenilworth Castle
Hundreds of spectators made their way along to the English Heritage site in Kenilworth for the event - with those participating donning traditional clothing in keeping with the event
Savchenko Dmitry (pictured) and his horse prepared to do battle against Nicky Willis at Kenilworth Castle this afternoon
Mother-of-three Jemma Page, 36, who took her 12-year-old daughter Lucy to the event, said: 'We often come to the Kenilworth events as a family because the kids love them.
'It is great to see a woman doing the jousting too and it really captivated Lucy's attention.
'It's good to show her that women can do exciting things like this and match the men.
'Usually at Medieval events the women are just seen doing the cooking and cleaning. But it is great to be able to watch them jousting and hopefully it will inspire the next generation.'
English Heritage said it had made the landmark decision to allow visitors to see the 'most accomplished knights on the circuit'.
The landmark decision allowing women to compete against men at English castles was made because of the Game of Thrones effect, according to organisers
Spectators stood by ready to cheer on the knights as they duelled in the dramatic jousting tournament
Emily Sewell, the charity's head of events, said: 'Historically the knights who took part in jousting tournaments were an elite band, the best of the best.
'No women were amongst that group.
'Now they are, and in order to bring our visitors the opportunity to witness some of the most accomplished knights on the circuit, it made complete sense to invite the leading female jousters to join us this summer.'
As well as competing at Kenilworth yesterday, Ms Willis will take the reins at Pendennis Castle in Cornwall in August.
The decision to change the rules has paved the way for more women to compete in such events.
Another female competitor, Dutch jouster Alix van Zijl, will also ride in contests at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight and Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire this summer.
Savchenko Dmitry (top) was one of the Knights who stepped up to the mark to compete against Nicky Willis, as was fellow competitor Martyn Smith (bottom)
The decision to change the rules has paved the way for more women to compete in such events. Dutch jouster Alix van Zijl, will also ride in contests at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight and Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire this summer
Traditionally no females took part in the dangerous tournaments during Medieval times because all elite knights were male.
But today 46-year-old Nicky Willis, a leading female jouster on the European circuit, broke ranks and joined male knights competing at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire.
The landmark decision allowing women to compete against men at English castles was made because of the 'Game of Thrones effect', according to organisers English Heritage.
Take that, m'lady! Women joust with male knights in a British castle for the first time ever - thanks to the Game of Thrones effect
Leading female jouster Nicky Wills was invited to Warwickshire Castle to compete against men in tournament
Landmark decision allowing women to compete against men at English castles made because of Game of Thrones
No females took part in the dangerous competitions during Medieval times, when all elite knights were male
By Amie Gordon For Mailonline
26 June 2016
Daily Mail
A fearless woman has broken tradition to become the first female ever to compete again male jousters at an English castle.
Traditionally no females took part in the dangerous tournaments during Medieval times because all elite knights were male.
But today 46-year-old Nicky Willis, a leading female jouster on the European circuit, broke ranks and joined male knights competing at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire.
The landmark decision allowing women to compete against men at English castles was made because of the 'Game of Thrones effect', according to organisers English Heritage.
Fearless: Nicky Willis, 46, a professional rider who regularly jousts at locations around the continent, competed against three leading male jousters at Kenilworth Castle
Traditionally no females took part in the dangerous tournaments during Medieval times because all elite knights were male - but Ms Willis (pictured), broke that tradition today
The champion: The brave warrior even managed to accumulate more points than her three male counterparts in the competition
British actress Gwendoline Christie plays female knight and warrior Brienne of Tarth in the hit television series, which has taken the world - and clearly the modern jousting scene - by storm.
Hundreds of spectators braved thunderstorms and cheered on Ms Willis, who donned full body armour and carried a red shield as she charged towards the men on her horse.
The brave warrior even managed to accumulate more points than her three male counterparts before the wet weather forced the competition to be suspended.
Ms Willis said: 'Kenilworth is famed for some of the most elaborate tournaments in medieval England - as well as playing host to one of England's strongest women Queen Elizabeth I - so it's the perfect place to sort the women from the boys.'
Steve Lawton (top) was one of the three knights jousting against Nicky Willis (bottom) at Kenilworth Castle
Hundreds of spectators made their way along to the English Heritage site in Kenilworth for the event - with those participating donning traditional clothing in keeping with the event
Savchenko Dmitry (pictured) and his horse prepared to do battle against Nicky Willis at Kenilworth Castle this afternoon
Mother-of-three Jemma Page, 36, who took her 12-year-old daughter Lucy to the event, said: 'We often come to the Kenilworth events as a family because the kids love them.
'It is great to see a woman doing the jousting too and it really captivated Lucy's attention.
'It's good to show her that women can do exciting things like this and match the men.
'Usually at Medieval events the women are just seen doing the cooking and cleaning. But it is great to be able to watch them jousting and hopefully it will inspire the next generation.'
English Heritage said it had made the landmark decision to allow visitors to see the 'most accomplished knights on the circuit'.
The landmark decision allowing women to compete against men at English castles was made because of the Game of Thrones effect, according to organisers
Spectators stood by ready to cheer on the knights as they duelled in the dramatic jousting tournament
Emily Sewell, the charity's head of events, said: 'Historically the knights who took part in jousting tournaments were an elite band, the best of the best.
'No women were amongst that group.
'Now they are, and in order to bring our visitors the opportunity to witness some of the most accomplished knights on the circuit, it made complete sense to invite the leading female jousters to join us this summer.'
As well as competing at Kenilworth yesterday, Ms Willis will take the reins at Pendennis Castle in Cornwall in August.
The decision to change the rules has paved the way for more women to compete in such events.
Another female competitor, Dutch jouster Alix van Zijl, will also ride in contests at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight and Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire this summer.
Savchenko Dmitry (top) was one of the Knights who stepped up to the mark to compete against Nicky Willis, as was fellow competitor Martyn Smith (bottom)
The decision to change the rules has paved the way for more women to compete in such events. Dutch jouster Alix van Zijl, will also ride in contests at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight and Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire this summer