Saturday, January 9, 2010

Exhibition: The Eglinton Tournament

From BBC News:
A set of paintings depicting a 19th Century jousting tournament in Ayrshire are to go on display in the area. East Ayrshire Council has successfully raised £85,100 to buy the Eglinton watercolours by James Henry Nixon.

The works depict scenes from a Medieval re-enactment tournament staged by the 13th Earl of Eglinton in 1839. Historic shields, which furnished the knights' tents, were also bought for £7,000. The works will go on display at Dean Castle, Kilmarnock, next year.

The Eglinton Tournament, which took place over three days in August 1839, highlighted the 19th Century fascination with all things Medieval. Privately funded by Lord Eglinton at a cost of £40,000 and held in front of the castle on his Ayrshire estate, the spectacle included a procession, jousting by tilt and mêlée, a banquet and a ball.

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