A performer dressed as a squire holds a shield as he is hit with a lance at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Performers dressed as medieval knights joust at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Max Barnes, 12, dressed as a squire, tries wearing a medieval knight's helmet before helping to perform jousts at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Performers James Ferguson and Dan Spencer get dressed for the joust at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A performers dressed as a medieval knight jousts at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Performers dressed as medieval knights prepare to joust at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Ashley Harridge, a performer dressed as a medieval knight, checks his horse before jousting at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Performers dressed as squires watch medieval jousting next to a basket full of severed head props at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Performers dressed as medieval knights fight with swords at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A performer dressed as a medieval knight jousts at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Performers dressed as medieval knights prepare to joust at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire April 1, 2013. Knebworth House, a stately home of the Lytton family since 1490, hosted The Knights Of Royal England in their first medieval jousting tournament of the season. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY)