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Triangular castle provides jousting battle backdrop

News imageHES Two knights on horseback clash in a jousting competition if front of a large crowd with trees and a castle behind themHES
The jousting event took place at Caelaverock Castle in southern Scotland

Caerlaverock Castle provided the backdrop for a jousting tournament at the weekend.

The event in the grounds of the building - which has a unique triangular shape - was part of Historic Scotland's summer programme.

Sir Checkmate and Lady Sophia battled it out in front of large crowds across Saturday and Sunday at the site near Dumfries.

In addition to the jousting, there was a range of medieval-themed experiences for visitors, including falconry displays and a "squire school" for children.

News imageHES A man dressed as a medieval knight punches the air and shouts to the crowd. He is on horseback on a white horseHES
The event is organised by Historic Scotland at the south of Scotland castle
News imageHES A knight with a patterned lance charges past another knight on his horse in a joust. There is a crowd watching in the background.HES
Riders charge at each other with lances in a joust - each one trying to knock the other off their horse

Caerlaverock Castle was besieged and captured on a number of occasions but the best-known sieges were in 1300 and 1640.

The first involved Edward I, with the small garrison surrendering to the English king's army within two days.

The second - the castle's last - went on for 13 weeks before the forces finally surrendered.

Afterwards it was stripped of fixtures and fittings and its south curtain wall demolished so it could never again be used as a place of defence.

News imageHES Two people an inflatable snail and inflatable chicken carry out a mock joust in front of Caerlaverock CastleHES
Caerlaverock Castle has a unique shape
News imageHES Two children carry rocks while racing across the grassHES
There was entertainment for all ages on offer

Jousting consists of a "mock battle" between two riders charging at each other with levelled lances, each one trying to knock the other off their horse.

They were part of early medieval tournaments but began to fall from favour in the early 16th Century.

Tilting or riding at rings is another form of jousting where a rider tries to put a lance through small metal rings.

The term joust was also used for contests between two men who fought on foot.

News imageHES Two knights charge at one another with a side-on view and trees in the backgroundHES
The event took place on Saturday and Sunday