| The delivery of the keys |
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Immediately afterwards the knights from the various districts of the town are blessed before competing in a jousting tournament, simulating the battle against the hated Saracens. On the afternoon of the 1 3th young knights, noblemen and women parade around their own district, along the tortuous winding basalt paved streets of the old town, lined with crowds of people, until they reach the place where they will pay homage to Count Roger and his troops. The participants represent the historic districts of PiazzaArmerina: Monte, Casalotto, Canali and Castellina. All the parades head for the same destination: the Cathedral square. Here, surrounded by the colourful crowds, they take their places. In the baking hot sun, they all wait for the crucial moment. Suddenly, in the distance, you hear the beating of drums carried on the wind and a fanfare of trumpets announces the approach of Count Roger's troops. Foot soldiers, archers and cross-bowmen precede the main body of the army, made up of cavalry. The arrival of the Count is thus announced by the rhythmic sound of hooves on the road surface. He is accompanied by pages and equerries and, after dismounting, heads towards the local dignitaries. From the opposite side of the square, the Grand Magistrate of the town and the Grand Dame, preceded by the Town Crier, come across to meet him. Next to the bell tower of the Cathedral the Town Crier reads the proclamation: everyone listens in silence. This first phase ends with a large meaningful bow. Immediately afterwards the citizens of Piazza swear loyalty to the Norman Count and, to demonstrate the strength of their convictions, present him with the keys to the town. At this point the parade is reformed and everybody, with Count Roger, the Grand Magistrate and his wife at the head, moves off in a procession that takes them along the main streets of the town, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of drums and trumpets.
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