Medieval jousting
Jousting
Jousting is when two knights mounted on horses wearing armor and using lances fight against each other. Jousting was a very popular form of entertainment during the middle ages. There were often times Medieval tournaments where jousting contests took place. When knights took place in jousting they kept their body in excellent shape so it would be ready any time that he was called to war by his lord.
The two types of Jousting
There were two kinds of jousting in the middle ages, one was called Joust a plaisance. Joust a plaisance was a series of elimination rounds of jousting which were held over many days and an overall jousting winner would be determined. Another type which was called pas d'armes or passage of arms was where a knight would send out a statement saying that he would take place in all jousting challenges at a specific time and place.
Origins of Jousting
Many of the origins of jousting can be found to trace back to very early time in history where the world relied on equestrian skills for battle. The Roman arena games were replaced for less brutal games like gladiator wars which had far less casualties and jousting. A very important element of jousting is the Code of Chivalry listed below:
The word "joust" comes from the Roman word 'juxtare' which translates to "to meet together".
Jousting Tournaments
Jousting tournaments were very major events in the Middle Ages and gave high training to the Knights and great entertainment to the local people. Near the castle there were usually large fields called 'lists' where the jousting tournaments were held. People would watch the game from the castle or from the sides of the field. A large grandstand was built for the ladies and other noble spectators one story about the field to the side. Pavilions which are bright round and very colorful tents that held the surgeons and combatants. Jousting events brought combatants, nobles, royalty, ladies, knights and the common people all together.
Rules of Jousting
The rules of the jousting event were passed around before the event started. Some of the common rules were:
Jousting is when two knights mounted on horses wearing armor and using lances fight against each other. Jousting was a very popular form of entertainment during the middle ages. There were often times Medieval tournaments where jousting contests took place. When knights took place in jousting they kept their body in excellent shape so it would be ready any time that he was called to war by his lord.
The two types of Jousting
There were two kinds of jousting in the middle ages, one was called Joust a plaisance. Joust a plaisance was a series of elimination rounds of jousting which were held over many days and an overall jousting winner would be determined. Another type which was called pas d'armes or passage of arms was where a knight would send out a statement saying that he would take place in all jousting challenges at a specific time and place.
Origins of Jousting
Many of the origins of jousting can be found to trace back to very early time in history where the world relied on equestrian skills for battle. The Roman arena games were replaced for less brutal games like gladiator wars which had far less casualties and jousting. A very important element of jousting is the Code of Chivalry listed below:
- To fear God and maintain His Church
- To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
- To protect the weak and defenceless
- To give succour to widows and orphans
- To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
- To live by honour and for glory
- To despise pecuniary reward
- To fight for the welfare of all
- To obey those placed in authority
- To guard the honour of fellow knights
- To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
- To keep faith
- At all times to speak the truth
- To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
- To respect the honour of women
- Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
- Never to turn the back upon a foe
The word "joust" comes from the Roman word 'juxtare' which translates to "to meet together".
Jousting Tournaments
Jousting tournaments were very major events in the Middle Ages and gave high training to the Knights and great entertainment to the local people. Near the castle there were usually large fields called 'lists' where the jousting tournaments were held. People would watch the game from the castle or from the sides of the field. A large grandstand was built for the ladies and other noble spectators one story about the field to the side. Pavilions which are bright round and very colorful tents that held the surgeons and combatants. Jousting events brought combatants, nobles, royalty, ladies, knights and the common people all together.
Rules of Jousting
The rules of the jousting event were passed around before the event started. Some of the common rules were:
- Location of the event
- Sponsor of the event
- The specific styles of combat that the Knight was expected to use
- What weapons were allowed