Deep within the recesses of the battlement-crowned resort named for King Arthur’s sacred sword there is a realm where medieval behavior rules the day, mortal combat is commonplace and eating with one’s hands is not merely tolerated, but mandatory. Excalibur Hotel & Casino’s Tournament of Kings is a favored place of brave knights representing thousand-year-old thrones to gather and share company, swap stories, clash swords and display expert horsemanship to shouts of “Huzzah!” from onlooking crowds.
Those thrones are generally stable, but not every kingdom gets a permanent place in the arena. Austria, France, Hungary, Ireland, Sweden and Spain are now joined by Romania, whose hardened armies arrive after preventing hordes from the east from sweeping across Europe. Romania’s rulers included members of the Order of the Dragon from Transylvania and Wallachia such as Vlad Dracul, whose son Vlad Dracula would inspire legends of merciless cruelty towards his enemies.
Tournament of Kings has a section devoted to its own dragon on par with the bleachers reserved for fans of the continental kingdoms. Hearty Cornish hen dinners (dietary accommodations may be available upon request) are served to guests, making flatware unnecessary and conserving precious metals for swordsmiths. Monarchs and aristocracy make merry, dancers twirl and pounding on tables is a time-honored tradition of showing enthusiasm.
The evening is hosted by the wizard, whose pyrotechnical prowess is impressive but has not yet been lethal to the leagues of Las Vegas visitors in Tournament of Kings’ more than two decades of history. The skills of the warriors who cross swords, on the other hand, improve with every show. Sounds of metal striking metal resound through the arena as armor-plated knights thrust and parry. One lapse of split-second timing can make the difference between victory or defeat.
Timing is even more important when knights ride towards each other on horseback at top speeds. Jousting is the deadliest of games, having brought a sudden end to many a monarch’s reign. The chances of being unseated, trampled on, impaled or blinded is intimidating, but the tradition lives on at Excalibur. Nearly a dozen horses from the Tournament of Kings’ stables take part.
Ultimately, the eternal forces of good and evil square off in a special effects climax filled with smoke and fire. The sounds are as intense as the sights, with the proceedings having the magical effect of maintaining the attention of younger audience members. There was no social media during the medieval era. There was chivalry, honor, and spectacle. There were dukes and damsels, dining halls and dark forces.
And these elements are all present at Excalibur daily. Time marches on, but the Middle Ages never end at Tournament of Kings.
Excalibur, 702.597.7600
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