Historical re-enactment tragedy as man playing a knight impales himself with lance and dies

A ‘medieval knight’ taking part in an historical re-enactment has died tragically after impaling himself on a lance.

Peter Barclay, 53, from Virginia, was competing in an equestrian event when he was wounded last weekend.

He had been trying to spear a paper plate on the ground when the accident occurred in Williamstown, Kentucky.

The metal-tipped lance, similar to that used in jousts in the Middle Ages, flipped on impact with the ground and hit him in the chest.

Barclay, who performed under the name Master Terafan Greydragon, died en route to hospital.

The Society for Creative Anachronism says it will review its safety procedures.

Society Marshal, Alan Gravesend, said on Facebook: “The Society is investigating the matter and is fully cooperating with the authorities.

“The Society Marshal is conducting an investigation to determine what might have led up to the accident, and what specific measures should be taken to ensure that this does not occur again.

“Upon the completion of our investigation, the SCA will make the results available to the public.

“We have reached out to Terafan’s family to express our support for them at this moment of loss. We ask that Terafan and his family be held in your hearts.

The society has over 30,000 members in the USA, Britain, Europe and Australia.