Tournament of Arms

One of the most famous parts of medieval culture is known as the tournament. In present day, there are not only reenactments of such events, but it is also displayed in media, such as films and writing, and thousands of articles can be found across the web. Those who participated in these tournaments, not those who are part of much safer reenactments, obviously did not have access to this media and experienced it firsthand, in competitions that became extremely popular all across Europe.

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A Brief History/Background on the Tournament of Arms:

The tournaments, which were also known as hastiludes, are said to most probably come from late Roman military exercises and then developed into friendly expansive practice battles (5). Through these knights could show many skills by participating in events "such as the jousting or the melee, indulge in a bit of pageantry, display their chivalrous qualities and win both riches and glory" (3). One of the biggest reasons for a knight to perform in a tournament was to enhance their reputation and demonstrate their abilities to those around them, including nobles and women that they might fancy and wish to catch the interest of by succeeding.

The main portion of the tournament was known as the melee, which functioned as a massive mock battle, involving hundreds of knights, which was more serious and dangerous at the start, eventually evolving into safer battles. Tournaments also consisted of jousting, food, and pageantry (the latter especially later on).

Tournaments began to be held all over Europe and England starting in the 1120s and 1130s. A combatant could be captured and would have to pay a ransom as well as giving his equipment to the captor. In tournaments, there would be aristocrats, but there would also be those looking to make a name for themselves, such as the lower level knights who could raise their value through participation (8). A Statutum Armorum (Statue of Arms) was made in 1292 that forbid weapons with points from being used (9). This reduced the overall risk of harm that came from this already dangerous competition.

One participating in a tournament or having ancestors that did so was "prima facie" evidence and gave the person the right to bear a coat of arms, demonstrating the difference between class and nobility (5). Up until the 14th century, the tournaments were still focused on melees, although the rules had become more strict over time to lower the danger from participation (5). The events became more extravagant and pageantry focused in the 14th century, bringing in higher costs and the need to prove one's lineage. Knights would have their coat of arms on their shield and horse cover for their lineage to be shown to the crowd, as well as being displayed in their sleeping areas and where their arms were placed when not competing (3).

The Parts of Tournaments:

Jousting

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Of the parts of the tournament, jousting is likely what people are most familiar with, although it was not the original focus of the tournament. It is seen in numerous forms of entertainment, but before it was just used in this form, it was part of the tournament. The joust was a one on one battle between two armored knights on horseback using lances. The two knights would use their horses to gallop at one another, while aiming the lance at the throat of the opponent or their shield (3).

While using weapons on each other carries risks regardless, the joust was safer than the melee in the sense that there were not large groups of knights charging at one another and the lances were wooden and would break rather easily, and they would then be replaced by the squires (3). Hand-to-hand combat was an optional part of jousting and not mandatory, but allowed a knight that had been knocked off their horse to challenge another to battle, and if  a knight desired to give up, they would remove their helmet. Although, being knocked off one's horse was generally the end. The winning knight would receive prizes such as a gold crown, a jewel, or other prizes. Although, the losing knight was expected to give money to the victor, as well as giving up their steed and equipment (3).

The Melee

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The main event of a tournament; also called a mock battle. Knights would be split into teams that could number up to a couple hundred per team. The initial melee tournaments were very dangerous, and men and horses could be injured or even killed, to the point where it was looked down upon by the clergy and the church. These battles involved teams of 100+ knights that fought

until they managed to get their opponents to leave the field (8). Once the teams were formed, a charge would sound violence would take place, both on horseback and on foot. Men and horses would be claimed for ransom in order to receive money and their equipment, and those who were not claimed be found across the ground, either gravely wounded or dead (5). Over time, the importance of horses in these melees was especially emphasized. Not only would the ransom force the knight to give up their horse, but the biggest prize of the tournament was always the same as well, that being a horse and killing a horse in a tournament was considered a large error that was only supposed to happen by accident(5).

Pas d'armes: A knight would hold an area against those who approached and would demand a battle against other knights The knights would either accept the battle or be considered dishonorable(5). This was not part of the actual tournament, but more so something knights could do in order to get battle practice.

Examples of tournaments and famous competitors/people:

William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (2)

William Marshal: A son of John FitzGilbert the Marshal, he was knighted in 1167. He had a famous reputation as a tournament participant early on, being a master on not only unhorsing his opponents, but taking ransoms as well (8). He was responsible of training the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry the Young King, and they became close friends, both participating in tournaments, 
William participating in up to five a year, to the point where he had enough prize money to have his own knights. He participated in wars, which also gained him a spot in the king's household and later on in like, he gained the opportunity to marry Isabel de Clare who was the heiress to Pembroke, a rich inheritance (8). He accomplished much throughout his life, being known for his generosity, chivalry, and prowess, before passing in 1219 (7).

Tournament of Peace (Joust of Peace): Took place in 1278 at Windsor Park, which was a tournament that was focused on being harmless. The swords were made of whalebone, the helmets out of boiled leather, and the shields were made of light wood, a contrast from other tournaments that were more dangerous (9).

Geoffroi de Charny (left)-Battle of Calais (4)

Geoffroi de Charny: Also known by the nickname, "the theoretician of chivalry", he was a medieval author in the 14th century as well as a knight. He thought of tournaments as great opportunities for the
men that participated in them as it gave them wealth, but also questioned it due to the constant risk of death through it (5). On top of his numerous texts, he was also a knight that was considered one of the most admired knights of the time, with recognition of his skills and honor making him a "true and perfect knight" (4). He was killed in the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 while holding the banner of France while fighting alongside the king (4)

Additional sites of interest: 

Medieval Times: An event I have personally been to. At Medieval Times, there are some scripted joust and sword battles as well as food (you get no silverware). You sit in color designated sections and each section has their own knight to root for. While obviously this is scripted and more modern, it is definitely an interesting and fun event to attend for some medieval-esque entertainment.

Works Cited

(1) "Attention Required!" Attention Required! | Cloudfare pixabay.com/vectors/jousting-tournament-line-art-5302913/.

(2) Ben Johnson. "William Marshall, a Knight's Tale." Historic UK, 4 Dec. 2016, www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/William-Marshal-Knights-Tale/.

(3) Cartwright, Mark. "Medieval Tournament." Ancient History Encyclopedia, 7 May 2018, www.ancient.eu/Medieval_Tournament/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2020

(4)"Geoffroi De Charny." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 21 Aug. 2005, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffroi_de_Charny. Accessed 22 Oct. 2020

(5) Handbook of Medieval Culture. Volume 1 : Handbook of Medieval Culture, edited by Albrecht Classen, De Gruyter, Inc., 2015. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bloomsburguniv-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1712977

(6) "Medieval Fighting Games." Medieval Chronicles, www. medievalchronicles.com/medieval-life/medieval-games/medieval-fighting-games/.

(7)"Medieval Knights Jousting." Karen's Whimsy, karenswhimsy.com/medieval-knights-jousting.shtm

(8)Saul, Nigel. Chivalry in Medieval England, Harvard University Press, 2011. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bloomsburguniv-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3301005

(9)"Tournament." Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/sports/tournament-medieval-military-games.