Eglinton Country Estate was the ancestral home of the
Earls of Eglinton and chiefs of the Clan Montgomery The landscape
gardens, were designed by John Tweedie (1775–1862), and laid out for
Alexander, the 10th Earl, together with extensive tree plantings.
The Tournament
In 1839 the grounds hosted the Eglinton
Tournament, a re-enactment of a medieval joust. 16 knights, all prominent
figures of the period, were set to compete on 29 August but torrential rain
delayed proceedings for 2 days.
Initial predictions of 4,000 attendees were surpassed on the day when an
estimated 10,000 people arrived.
Tournament Impact
Because of the extensive publicity and the number of
press officials attending the rain soaked event was lampooned throughout the
age. It permutated all elements of literal, artistic and social culture.
One reputed example is in Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll when
Tweedledum and Tweedledee fight with umbrellas and declare they will "fight
until six and then have tea".
