KNIGHTS armed with swords and donning heavy armour duelled at the first Newcastle Medieval Festival on Sunday to the roar of the crowd.
More than 5000 locals and visitors went to the foreshore on the weekend to watch historical re-enactments and combat displays, see blacksmiths, leather makers and traders at work, and learn about a time gone by.
The two-day event, a first for the city, was a success, Newcastle Medieval Festival event coordinator Henry Carter said.
"It's nice to so many families coming out and enjoying the event and just having a fun day out, especially with Father's Day on Sunday," he said.
Walking into the festival was like taking a step back in time, with the smell of smouldering fires from displays hanging in the air and the sound of steel clanging on steel punctuated by the cheers of spectators.
Children and adults and even some dogs donned medieval costumes.
"We're trying to showcase a number of different eras that make up the early then late medieval, just to give people and idea and a bit of an education at the same time as having fun," Mr Carter said on Sunday.
A fan favourite was the combat display on September 1, with knights in full body armour wielding real steel swords as they duelled their opponents.
Men and women dressed in costumes inspired by countries across the world battled in another main arena in re-enactments.
"It's their version of a stress ball from the weekly grind, and they love it," Mr Carter said.
Ethan Clifford is part of a Newcastle and Central Coast sword fighting group and told the Newcastle Herald it was "hot and heavy" under all that armour.
"Each kit weighs roughly between 35 and 45 kilos, so it is heavy, it is hot," he said.
He and his teammates wore helmets made from hardened steel, roughly about 3mm thick, and were covered down to their toes for when they duelled and were hit with weapons.
"We do feel it, but it does protects us as much as possible," Mr Clifford said.
Organisers from hope to hold more Newcastle Medieval Festival events in the future.
