Jousting is the medieval sport where fully 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 the courage and the combat skill of knights. 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 spread quickly all over Europe from its place of origination in France. Jousting was important in history, it was played as a tournament, and required various kinds of equipment to be played (“Jousting”). First, jousting was important in history. Jousting was founded in France and the first
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Jousting spread from France to England, to Germany from the 10th to 12th century (“History of”). The tournaments 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 their opponent and for how well they shattered a lance. In 1292, Edward I of England had a statute of arms made and this said that blunt weapons should be used in jousting tournaments. Because of that statute of arms, …show more content…
The weapon that was used most frequently was the lance. This weapons main purpose was to push the opposing knight off of his horse while riding towards each other. The technique used with the lance is known as tilting. The lances were made from solid oak, but were made blunt enough to not penetrate the armor. Since they were made from oak, a significant striking force was required to shatter them. However, Other weapons that were used infrequently are maces, morning stars, pole weapons, and swords. The purpose of these weapons is also to knock the opponent off his horse and to strike the opponent in certain positions to gain more points. While using all of those dangerous weapons, armor and protection was very important. In the early days of jousting, knights wore heavy helmets known as great helms and wore chain mail armor. In the 14th century, armored advanced and became full plates of metal armor called harnesses. Harnesses were specially modified suits of armor for jousting because they contain extra plate pieces for protection. A complete harness suit contained a light suit with heavier bolted on plates on armor on the exterior. The special jousting armor pieces that were added on for the harnesses gave more protection with the loss of agility and the knights ability to move. As time progressed, the great helms became outdated and innovations were made to the knight’s helmets. Special jousting helmets
Jousting spread from France to England, to Germany from the 10th to 12th century (“History of”). The tournaments 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 their opponent and for how well they shattered a lance. In 1292, Edward I of England had a statute of arms made and this said that blunt weapons should be used in jousting tournaments. Because of that statute of arms, …show more content…
The weapon that was used most frequently was the lance. This weapons main purpose was to push the opposing knight off of his horse while riding towards each other. The technique used with the lance is known as tilting. The lances were made from solid oak, but were made blunt enough to not penetrate the armor. Since they were made from oak, a significant striking force was required to shatter them. However, Other weapons that were used infrequently are maces, morning stars, pole weapons, and swords. The purpose of these weapons is also to knock the opponent off his horse and to strike the opponent in certain positions to gain more points. While using all of those dangerous weapons, armor and protection was very important. In the early days of jousting, knights wore heavy helmets known as great helms and wore chain mail armor. In the 14th century, armored advanced and became full plates of metal armor called harnesses. Harnesses were specially modified suits of armor for jousting because they contain extra plate pieces for protection. A complete harness suit contained a light suit with heavier bolted on plates on armor on the exterior. The special jousting armor pieces that were added on for the harnesses gave more protection with the loss of agility and the knights ability to move. As time progressed, the great helms became outdated and innovations were made to the knight’s helmets. Special jousting helmets