The MoD is reviving the Royal Tournament, after an 11-year hiatus.
The event will take place in London's Earls Court, venue of the original tournament, and will include the same events, including the field gun race, in which teams compete to transport artillery pieces over a series of obstacles.
Other favourites, including the Massed Bands and the Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry will also return.
First held in 1880 - as British forces were embroiled in Afghanistan - the Royal Tournament became famous for its displays of military skill, especially horsemanship, and for its pomp and pageantry.
It ran until 1999, when it was axed by the Government, which cited financial constraints.
The tattoo, which used to be run by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), is being revived by ABF The Soldiers' Charity - rebranded from the Army Benevolent Fund earlier this year - which will meet the organisational costs.
The return of the event is supported by the MoD but, at least initially, will not be able to use the word Royal in its title, as it does not yet have the necessary patronage.
It was only in 1884, four years after it began, that Queen Victoria gave permission for the Royal prefix to be added to the title of the original event. The revived pageant will be called the British Military Tournament.
By: Brant
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1 comment:
Great to see a new military tattoo joining the already established events at Birmingham (www.birminghamtattoo.co.uk) and of course Edinburgh. These events are keeping alive the pomp and ceremony that makes Great Britain great!
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