Did You Know About The Medieval History Behind Disneyland Paris? Find Out More Here!
Jousts, feats of bravery, noble knights- No, its not Disney’s latest animated feature but the history of the land that Disneyland Paris is on! We all know that Disneyland was built on orange groves and that Walt Disney World was swampland but did you know that Disneyland Paris sits on a plain that was once Europes most popular destinations for Medieval Entertainment!?
Some 800 years ago, during the medieval period, the field of Lagny-sur-Marne was the most popular place in France for jousting tournaments. This field was located just east of Paris on the east bank of the River Marne. Disneyland Paris now sits on a vast portion of that field. On November 1179, this location was home tot he most spectacular medieval tournament ever held. Presided over by King Louis VII of France to celebrate the coronation of his nephew Philip (heir to the throne) more than 3,0000 knights descended on the land for a Middle Age tournament like nothing that had ever been seen before.
Though jousting tournaments did take place, the real highlight of this event was the “Melee.” It consisted of a mock battle where two teams of knights on horseback fought on a large “battlefield.” The object of the game was to capture the knights on the opposite team which could then be ransomed.
Participants for all over France attended the tournament as well as members of the court of England including “young king” Henry Plantagenet (the eldest son of King Henry II.) Another noteworthy participant was Richard, Duke of Aquitaine (the future King Richard “The Lionhart”) and William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke who many believed was the greatest knight who ever lived. Also participating in the tournament included the Count of Flanders, Duke of Burgandy, David Huntington (brother of the King of Scotland) and many others.
As we mentioned above, the tournament was a “mock” combat but that didn’t mean the melee wasn’t dangerous. Injuries and even death were a possibility. On the day of the tournament teams formed on each side of the field. At the signal the two teams rode at each other with their lances leveled. Those that managed to stay on their horses during the first charge would seek out knights for one-on-one combat. The battle continued throughout the rest of the day and spread out over miles on the field. The event would take place at nightfall or when both sides were exhausted.
The event concluded with a banquet, entertainment and the distribution of prizes.
In a find that Disney historians are sure to love, there is an account of the tournament by William Marshal’s own biographer.
There were to be seen banners unfurled, so many of them and of such diverse types that no man could make them out sufficiently to be able to describe them in detail. The entire field of combat was swarming with them, the plain so full of them that there was not an inch of ground to be seen.
I can tell you that that encounter was not a stealthy affair, indeed, there was great noise and tumult as all strove to deal mighty blows. There you would have heard such a great clash of lances, from which the splinters fell to the ground as the companies met and impeded the forward charge of the horses.
The throng across that plain was huge, with each company shouting out its battle cry. On all sides you would have seen horses running and sweating with their exertions. Every man strove hard and did all within his power to perform high deeds, for it is in such a situation that prowess is shown and displayed for all to see. It was a very fiercely fought contest, many were the feats of arms performed that day; the tournament was an exceedingly fine one.
My lord William the Marshal performed so many feats that … afterwards, the King, those who witnessed the event, and those who heard speak of it, said that never before had finer blows been witnessed from a single knight, or known of, as those dealt by the Marshal that day. The bravest amongst them gave him high praise for this.
So, the next time you’re at Disneyland Paris and take up the reins of your noble steed on Le Carrousel de Lancelot… don’t forget the dashing young King Henry and his valiant knight William Marshal, who gallantly defeated their adversaries on the field beneath your feet!
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