Around 100 heavily armored men met on the field of honor at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Friday.
Lord’s Mobile Armored Contact Tournament came to Springfield for the first time.
The medieval style contest brought competitors from as far away as Norway, China and Italy to vie for top honors in the prestigious event.
Mayor Misty Busher was on hand for opening ceremonies and to welcome contestants and spectators to the city. She says activities such as these are a huge boost the city coffers.
Local labor leader, Brad Schieve, has been a competitor in the past but this year was one of the organizers of the event. He says he dreamt of being a knight as a young boy and loved the Charleton Heston epic film, El Cid, and then years later got to compete at the very castle where the movie was made.