Wielding longswords and halberds, more than 750 fighters from 34 countries have descended upon the Czech Republic to compete in the Battle of the Nations on May 6. The medieval-fighting competition, which takes place over five days in Prague, pits national teams against each other in a number of categories, including women's 3 on 3. Blades are blunted as a precaution, but the fighting is full-contact and brutal -- as one would expect to see on a medieval battlefield.
Battle Of The Nations
1
A fearsome-looking member of the French team before marching into battle.
2
Spanish contestant Santiago Torres Bejarano makes his way to the battleground with his team's flag.
3
Anna Danilukova, from the Prague band Jagabab, sings a medieval drinking song on the outskirts of the battle.
4
Andrei Serebryakov from the Ukrainian team taking a moment before entering the fray. "I'm a little nervous now but always after the first hit I stop being afraid."
5
The U.S. prepares to engage in battle.
6
A French fighter on the march to battle.
7
A fighter with the British team with a well-armored GoPro camera.
8
Belarus and the U.S. team crash into battle.
9
With the crowd roaring and battle cries resounding, the Polish (foreground) and Italian teams run at each other.
10
The small but well-filled arena, situated on a hill overlooking Prague.
11
An Italian fighter hacks into a Polish opponent.
12
A German fighter surrounded by Ukrainians.
13
Levente Daniel Varro taking a rest after an intense battle. The Hungarian fighter entered the fray with a borrowed helmet that proved a touch too small. "My nose always gets hurt, because it's big."
14
Charging Belarusians swing at a British fighter.
15
Almost anything goes in the fighting. This Belarusian fighter was throttled to the ground by a British opponent.
16
Sofie Maceanruig (right) is herself a fighter for Britain in the women's division, but today she is supporting (literally) her male compatriots.
17
The Ukrainians gather for a team talk before entering the arena.
18
U.S. fighter Richard Starr nursing a fractured wrist. "I ran into Russia."
19
Harvey Palmer from the U.S. team after bowing out of the contest. His helmet is inscribed with knightly virtues.
20
A participant takes advantage of the massage tent.