Experience the feverish excitement of Medieval Times!

“A KNYGHT ther was, and

that a worthy man.

That fro the tyme that he first bigan

To ridden out, he loved chivalrie,

Trouthe and honor, freedom

and curtesie.”

Geoffrey Chaucer, Prologue to Canterbury Tales

(Written between 1387 and 1400)

Is there a way that one can jump back into time for a few hours and experience some of the color and fever of the Medieval period complete with jousting knights and dashing stallions? A group of friends from Fallbrook can testify that it is possible. They recently made the trek up to Medieval Times in Buena Park to eat with their hands and watch in rapt attention as knights dashed around the arena on powerful steeds.

The staff makes sure that once their guests enter the doors a journey to Medieval Times begins. Several authentic suits of armor stand in the foyer of the “castle.” Before entering the arena where all the action takes place, little knights and princesses are given the opportunity to purchase the accoutrements of their status, including wooden swords and plastic armor for the knights and tall flowing hats and rhinestone tiaras for the little princesses.

Guests are also able to view some of the horses used in the show (through barred and plastic windows). The variety of horses put into action includes Andalusian Stallions, Arabian Geldings and Frisian Geldings. The horses are born and raised on a ranch facility in Texas, then transported to Buena Park when they are three years of age. In the Medieval Times Buena Park facility, training in an advanced level of “dressage” is continued. After several years in the show arena, the horses are retired to the same ranch where they were born.

The Andalusian Stallion is a horse that has been preferred by knights and royalty for thousands of years. Homer mentioned Andalusians in his work the “Iliad,” which was written in approximately 1100 BC. In 1066, William the Conqueror rode an Andalusian in the Battle of Hastings. These powerful horses were able to carry the weight of an armored man and still run strong and fast. Most Andalusian horses are white or grey but can be other colors.

The knights are trained through a rigorous program. Because the shows are actual competitions, knight performers must be suitably prepared. They undergo many hours of training in order to skillfully create a battle which is safe for the knights yet exciting for the crowd. The men compete in games of skill including jousting, which requires men on horseback to charge each other with lances while their horses are galloping at a fast pace. When they meet, one knight is knocked to the ground. Knights must also be skilled at sword fighting. “The weapons used at Medieval Times are authentic in size and design,” according to the Medieval Times Web site. The site also mentioned that the weapons are replaced every twelve weeks. However, wooden lances are replaced frequently since they tend to splinter apart during competition.

Once inside the arena, guests are drawn to imagine that the king has requested a royal feast and tournament to be held inside his castle. Six courageous knights compete in jousting and other contests. Each knight is clothed in a different color, which corresponds to the color of “crown” hats worn by the dinner guests. Each section cheers for its own knight. When a knight wins a contest, the castle’s princess throws him flowers, which he, in turn, tosses to the little princesses and ladies in the crowd. The show is two hours long and worth every minute.

The knights and princesses from Fallbrook enjoyed eating their meal “Medieval style” — sans silverware. In fact, guests at the tournament are not given a choice — it’s eat with your hands or don’t eat at all! A full meal consists of a half roasted chicken, one barbeque spare rib, a half herb-basted potato, minestrone soup, garlic bread, pastry and two rounds of Pepsi or beer.

Travel back to Medieval Times and enjoy the king’s banquet and knight’s tournament. You will return with a greater appreciation of Medieval knights and a definite appreciation of, and gratitude for, silverware.

Medieval Times is located at 7662 Beach Boulevard in Buena Park. Call 1-888-WE-JOUST for reservations or access the Web site http://www.medievaltimes.com. Admission is $49.95 for adults and $33.95 for children age twelve and under; however, special rates for groups of fifteen or more are available. The admission fee includes dinner, beverages and the knight’s show.

Warning: Medieval Times horses kick up dust in the enclosed arena. Persons with respiratory conditions, allergies or asthma should consider this and are cautioned by management to “attend at their own risk.” Medieval Times also uses stroboscopic and pyrotechnic effects.