Explore behind the scenes of Medieval Times

Even if you’ve never been to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, you know the deal: dinner and a show, raucous cheering for the knight representing your section, a lack of utensils, and so on.

Behind the scenes, there’s far more happening than meets the eye. You may not be aware of the fellowship that unites the performers, the care that goes into maintaining the stables, or the volume of freshly prepared food served every day. You don’t know these things, however, for now you are merely a squire. With some training and insight, you will share knowledge with the greatest of knights. To give you a sneak peek, let this guide serve as your own personal training for knighthood!

When the horses aren’t riding into battle, they live the good life. They're groomed and exercised every day, with visits from a veterinarian and a farrier. If you expect your horse to take care of you in the arena, make sure to treat him well throughout the week.

Medieval Times horses benefit from early retirement. It can be exhausting to spend years in the tournaments, sometimes with multiple shows per day. Around age 18, the horses retire near Dallas, Texas, where Medieval Times has its own ranch. This is where the horses are born and where they return after a fulfilling career of fighting bad guys.

You’ll have to master some basic combat skills if you want to make it as a knight. Did you know that all the fights you see at Medieval Times comprise 3 offensive moves?

Each battle includes variations of the attacks—on a horse, from an angle, etc.—but they all boil down to moves that target the head, shoulders, and legs. Watch the Red Knight demonstrate a strike to the head.

There are also plenty of libations for the over-21 crowd to choose from. To add even more flavor to your Medieval Times experience, enjoy a Royal Knight or Executioner signature cocktail before and during the show. AAA reminds you to consume alcohol responsibly.

Your training is almost complete, young squire! The only thing left is to actually see the battle at Medieval Times.

Upon your arrival, you can sign up to get knighted. While the crowd waits to enter the arena, you can kneel before the king to receive your knighthood, damehood, or whatever honor best suits you. Then take home a picture to commemorate the historic event. Congratulations, my liege, and enjoy Medieval Times!