Northeast Atlanta is getting the royal treatment two weeks earlier than expected.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament announced their newest Castle will open July 21 as an anchor of the shopping destination in neighboring Gwinnett County, Discover Mills. Tickets are now on sale, with reservations required, at 1-888-WE-JOUST (935-6878) or through www.medievaltimes.com.

“The construction crews completed their hard work faster than planned, and the knights, serfs, wenches and horses couldn’t wait to start entertaining guests in Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament’s new home,” said Jon Speier, general manager at the Atlanta area Castle. “Everyone is invited to meet thy fun on July twenty-one.”

Originally scheduled for an early August opening, the Lawrenceville area will be the home of the ninth Medieval Times Castle in North America, following other Castles in Kissimmee, Fla.; Buena Park, Calif.; Schaumburg, Ill.; Dallas, Tx; Lyndhurst, N.Y.; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Hanover, Md., at Arundel Mills near Baltimore / Washington, DC.

“Medieval Times brings a new dining and complete entertainment experience to Georgia and the Southeastern U.S.,” said company CEO Kenneth Kim. “We look forward to forming partnerships with schools in the area and becoming proactive members of the community.”

During the high season, the Castle will employ 200 people. Finishing touches are underway as construction crews complete the Castle’s stone façade on the Medieval Times exterior walls. The knights, horses and a cadre of special equipment for the Castle began arriving in Georgia during early July.

When Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament opens, guests in the completed 1,085-seat Grand Ceremonial Arena will feast on a four-course meal including roasted chicken and spare ribs as they are treated to the spectacular pageantry of an 11th century tournament, including jousting, sword fighting and gallant knights on horseback. The 87,000-square-foot Castle’s medieval theme will be straight from history books. A Spanish family whose ancestry dates back to the 11th century created the unique dining and entertainment concept and faithfully reproduces the customs and trappings of the era.

That magical combination of fun, feasting and fighting that has captured the imagination of 36 million people through the years is expected to be just as enthusiastically received by residents and guests of the Atlanta area.

The journey back in time begins as guests enter the Castle through the mall, and are greeted by King Alfonso and his daughter, Princess Esperanza. Guests receive a colored crown corresponding to their seating area and the gallant Knight they will cheer on to victory throughout the show.

Guests then pass through the colorful Hall of Banners and Flags, and may choose to visit the Museum of Torture, where guests can inspect a historical collection of instruments of ridicule and torture used during the Middle Ages. Guests enter the Hall of Arms where imposing full suits of gleaming armor line the walls.

A full-service bar is available, and younger lords and ladies may enjoy frosty fruit flavored slushes served up in medieval-themed goblets. Themed gift items such as authentic swords from Spain, suits of armor and pewter collectibles will be available in the Court of Crests and Crafts.

The addition of the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament® attraction is the newest phase of Discover Mills, and is expected to bring a steady stream of residents and tourists to the destination.

Tickets for the four-course dinner and live show are $47.95 for adults; children (age 12 and younger) will be $35.95. Reservations are required. For additional information, contact the castle at 770-225-0230 or 1-888-WE-JOUST (935-6878) or visit www.medievaltimes.com.