3-078-278 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches at the Royal Military Tournament, Agricultural Hall, Islington [in London], 1890. 'Fencing on horseback; wrestling on horseback; hailing the victor; bayonet fencing; spectators; charge of 1st Life Guards...The eleventh annual Military Tournament was opened by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany on Wednesday, June 18, the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo...some feats of skill, including the decapitation of sham heads mounted on poles, struck off by the swords of mounted soldiers at full gallop around the arena, lemon-cutting, tilting at the ring, and tent-pegging, were performed by non-commissioned officers and men of different regiments. There was also a combined movement of cavalry, infantry, mounted infantry, machine-guns, artillery, and engineers...In the artillery drives it should be noted that, for the first time, Volunteer teams took their places equally with the Royals, and acquitted themselves exceedingly well'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.