Tournaments General

Text

The first tournaments took place in France in the 10th century during the reign of Henry I. They quickly became a popular entertainment initially at courts, later spreading throughout Europe and captivating people of all social standings. Tournaments were multi-day celebrations accompanied by actual combat and numerous ceremonies with symbolic significance, solemn religious services, feasts, dances, and more. Tournaments were organized by the nobility to celebrate the culmination of important political negotiations or extraordinary events such as coronations, royal weddings and engagements, oaths of allegiance, peace negotiations, and so forth. The aim was to demonstrate skill and mastery in combat, to shine in front of others, and often to receive substantial rewards. Tournaments were either individual, where two knights faced each other on horseback or on foot, or team-based, where two teams competed in the arena. In both cases, the objective was to knock the opponent to the ground without killing or seriously injuring them. Even so, injuries and even deaths were not uncommon. The Church initially strongly opposed tournaments, and it wasn’t until the 14th century that it lifted the general ban and allowed their organized and unpunished conduct.

Artwork