Falconry, displays of uniforms and real jousting by knights in armour are among the sights at The Royal Armouries on Leeds' riverside. Modern and purpose-built in 1996, the museum serves as both a family attraction and an important national archive.
Five themed galleries - War, Tournament, Self-Defence, Hunting and Oriental - contain some of the nation's greatest treasures. Highlights include medieval tournament armours, the English Civil War collection and the world record-breaking elephant armour.
The use of violence by humankind for supremacy or survival, or its sublimation into sport or play, has been one of the main forces for historical change. This is the underlying theme of the new Royal Armouries, which presents a fascinating and often disturbing story of great importance.