14th Century Knighting Ceremony 2024

During the Middle Ages, it was common practice for knighting ceremonies to take place on the eve of a tournament, battle or joust. The Abbey Medieval Festival honours this tradition.

The authentic 14th century Knighting Ceremony takes place in the candlelit Abbey Church with its magnificent medieval stained glass windows. In the medieval feudal society, knighthood was one of the greatest achievements a person could obtain. Originally a title given to mounted warriors, it eventually became a rank of lower nobility and was infused with the ideals of chivalry. Many young boys would train their whole lives to achieve knighthoods, working their way up from pages and squires to earn their spurs.

This year Companie Draco Routiers will recreate a knighting based on Ramon Llull’s ‘Book of the Order of Chivalry’ written in 1275 and translated and used throughout the 14th century.

Our worthy recipient, hailing from Italy, is none other than Abbey veteran, Giovanni Carandini, who has been a member of Companie Draco Routiers since 2020. This year is unique however, as Giovanni is already a knight of great renoun, earning his spurs with the Knights Order of the Lion Rampant in 2009. Since then, Giovanni has continued to uphold his commitment to the ideals of Chivalry, mentoring young and old with wisdom and grace, as well as taking the field in displays of martial endeavours. As such, he is to be inducted into a new knightly order, the Order of the Wyvern.

This Order was founded amongst the Knights of the Companie, with the mission to foster and grow the re-enacting community through joint efforts and cooperation, and to uphold the ideals of Chivalry.

So join Companie Draco Routiers at the Abbey Church to celebrate Giovanni, as he is recognised by his peers for his continuing love of Chivalry.

The Knighting Ceremony tickets are limited and can only be PRE-PURCHASED before the event.

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Host or Publisher Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology