What Is a Jousting Tournament?

During the Middle Ages a jousting tournament was a grand spectacle in which warrior aristocrats battled for glory and perhaps for the love of a beautiful lady. Spectators from all classes of medieval society flocked to the tournaments for the pageantry, the romance and the excitement.

Basics

A joust is combat between two horsemen. A jousting tournament is a major sporting event in which several pairs of horsemen fight one after another. It was also possible for the horsemen to team up and fight as squads.

Origins

In 1066 a Frenchman, Geoffroi de Purelli, wrote the first set of regulations for a tournament. Tragically, he was killed in the tournament for which he had written the rules.

Purpose

A tournament kept the fighting men of the upper class fit, strong and in practice between wars, while also providing an outlet for their aggression.

The Joust

A joust was simple: Two men, wearing armor and mounted on horses, lowered their lances and charged. Whoever unhorsed his opponent won.

The Risks

Tournaments were an extreme sport in which many fighters were wounded and sometimes killed. Among the victims was King Henry II of France, who died when a lance pierced his eye.

References

• National Jousting Association