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Hundreds of years ago men on horseback would joust for an "arm of purple satin" at the weekend.

The Jousting of the Saracens may have become more of a rarity, but contests still take place in Piazza San Francesco, Arezzo, within travelling distance of Florence.

The colourful event, which sees the men and women of the town dressed in medieval costume, occurs next on September 7th.

Competitors fight it out for the chance to knock into a Saracen puppet wearing a shield, gaining points for riding skills and accuracy.

The Jousting of the Saracens is free to watch and the locals certainly know how to party.

Townsfolk ride battle horses, dress as flag bearers, trumpeters and medieval people.

The Joust is believed to date back to 1200 and was most certainly influenced by the crusades.

Contests were used by knights bearing axes, daggers, lances or swords to knock one another off horseback, often resulting in death.

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