The Castleton Cup is held annually in Rochdale, which is part of the Honour and Arms Buhurt League Challenger, an international league that takes place in different locations all over the globe.
The medieval martial art form takes heavy inspiration from 13th to 16th century style of fighting, and it’s name derives from the old French word ”Béhourd“, which literally translates to “wallop”.
Clad in authentic armour, competitors are given blunted weapons to whack their opponents with.
Each fight was like a blast from the past, and knights did not hold back — the pounding of axes and swords on steel rang through your ears.
Armour was dented and weapons were broken but each fight was as entertaining as the last.
Head coach of the Northern Wolves team based in Rochdale, Danny George, said: “It’s a different kind of sport. It’s a full contact combat sport, but it’s a different level of training.
“If you’ve got any kind of interest in historical aspects as well as kind of combat, martial arts and training, it marries the two together really, really well.
“It’s also really good as an alternative way just to get fit.”
Feature image credit: Poppy Dippnall
