IT WAS trial by combat as 50 heavily-armoured knights wielded swords, axes and spears in battle at a spectacular new festival in Corwen.

Gwyl Y Fflam (Festival of Flame) – which celebrates the town’s links with Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr, has been praised by Battle Heritage for its triumphant hosting of the annual British Medieval Combat Championships, held in Wales for the first time ever.

Gŵyl y Fflam took over Edeyrnion fields for all things medieval, including the opportunity to take a video tour of Glyndwr’s home at Sycharth, near Llansilin, with the annual Combat Championships Heritage Cup VI a crowd-puller

Festival organiser Dylan Jones said hosting such a high profile tournament was a triumph for Gŵyl y Fflam and for Corwen.

He said: “What a tremendous thrill for everyone here to see such uniquely skilled fighters in action. I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like it before and I doubt many people in Denbighshire have either.

“It’s absolutely phenomenal to think that in our inaugural year of organising this festival we’ve been honoured with the chance to host a national championship on this scale.

“It’s been a highlight of our programme for sure, helping us to draw in a good size gate.”

British Medieval Combat tournaments are a full contact martial art using historically designed weapons and body armour. 50 fighters competed in the championships with many camping in the town for the event's duration.

In a series of duels and bouts, men and women kitted out in steel helmets, chainmail and battle armour charged at each other in a 25-metre combat rink.

Among competitors was three time world champion women’s long sword exponent Lara Serviolle and sword and shield dueller Rachael Waters.