Jousting: A Medieval Sport

Jousting is the medieval sport where full armored knights rode on horseback across fields with lances and other weapons pointed at each other. Jousting was a very sophisticated sport and it tested courage and combat skill. It was an athletic contest to the death (before 14th century). This sport is still played today, however, it is not as prominent as it was during the Middle Ages. Very popular in Medieval Times, jousting tournaments originated in France and spread to the rest of Europe. This sport was played as a tournament and required various kinds of equipment to be played (“Jousting”).

First, jousting was founded in France and the first recorded joust was in 1066CE, the same year as the Battle of Hastings. This sport spread from France

all over Europe and was very popular in England. The people in the jousting tournaments were provided by landowners and nobles because of the feudal system in the Middle Ages. These jousts were practical and provided training for the knights to keep them in shape for upcoming battles. Soon enough, these jousting tournaments became a form of entertainment. Jousting became so well-known and practiced that rules were placed to limit the number of jousts so they do not interfere with the actual war or battle going on. In the 13th century, jousting became so popular that it was being held as an event itself and was called the Round Tables, an elimination event. Jousting also became a main topic in romantic stories. The tales of King Arthur were the most famous out of the bunch. Before the 14th century, jousts had been fights to the death, but during this century points were awarded for how well each knight struck and for shattering a lance. By the 14th century, this type of jousting was a form of entertainment for aristocrats(New). As time went on, tournaments became highly formal. For example, royal permits and challenges need to be issued to landlords to select their best fighter(James). Nobles also hired other knights who did not work for them called freelancers. Later on, jousters did not just fight for their pride, they fought for money and titles. These jousters, just like professional athletes today, were very famous and even had medieval herald write literature about them to help popularize them. In the 16th century, the development of firearms hindered the importance and relevance of jousting. Jousts were no longer needed and only became entertainment for the royal court. By the 17th century, jousting was not popular anymore and became a thing of the past. Surprisingly, an adapted form of jousting became a state sport of Maryland, along with lacrosse, in 1962(“History”).
Second, jousts were played as tournaments in the Middle Ages.

There were two types of tournaments, Joust a Plaisance and Pas d’armes. Joust a Plaisance tournaments were sets of elimination competitions that were held over several days until a winner was determined. This type of jousting was the kind that was played in the Round Tables events. Pas d’armes tournaments were when knights issued proclamations to other challenger knights who would meet at a specific time and place. Surprisingly, jousts were rarely the main event in tournaments because melee was considered the most important(James). Jousts were held in fields called lists that were close to a castle. The lists helped maintain the chaos that was going on during the jousting tournaments. Because of the formality of the jousts, there were numerous preparations to be made beforehand. The challenges would be sent, rules for the tournament would be announced by town criers, the criers also spread word of the tournament, and banners would be hung in support of the knights. The jousting rules were presented before each jousting tournament was held. These rules included where and when the jousts would take place, who would sponsor it, the type of combat used, and the weapons allowed. The jousts also had many ceremonies that took place. The first day of the jousting tournament would be called an Invocation, the second day called the Display of Helmets, the third day called the Knights of Honor, and the last day was when the

knights would meet in the center of the list. Specifically, for the Pas d’armes after the opening day, there was a day for the Tree of Shields. On this day colored shields were hung up and challenging knights would use their weapons to hit the shield. Each day of the tournament would end in feasts, music, and dancing. At the end, the knights would embrace each other in chivalry and companionship(Alchin).