Worcester – Imagine sitting in the stands in the Middle Ages, watching two armor-clad men charge at each other on horseback while trying to knock each other to the ground with a 10-foot lance. It may be tough to imagine, but Higgins Armory Museum is offering a similar opportunity Sunday, March 25, when the women of the Worcester Roller Derby League put their best skate forward as they engage in their own jousting tournament.
“Historically, jousting featured manly knights on horseback meant for the pure entertainment of the masses,” said Devon Kurtz, director of education at Higgins. “We don's have knights and we don's have horses, but we do have women on roller skates and there will be plenty of entertainment for the crowd on hand.”
The event, which is open to the public for viewing, will begin at 1 p.m. with “roller” jousting. The tough girls from the Worcester Roller Derby League will don their equipment, along with a shield and a lance as they try their hand at medieval jousting…on roller stakes. At 1:30 p.m., watch a scrimmage match as the Worcester girls match up against the Pioneer Valley team in a traditional roller derby battle.
The event is a part of Higgins” Women in Armor Month. Throughout the month, Higgins is honoring women who broke with tradition and took up arms. The roller derby is a way of showcasing the tough women who wear a different kind of armor – roller derby gear.
All events will take place outside in the Higgins Armory parking lot and are subject to weather conditions. For more information about activities taking place throughout the month, visit www.higgins.org or call 508-853-6015.
