Jousts and Tournaments

The jousts, tilts, and tournaments, in which knights were frequently engaged, were military exercises, generally performed at courts of princes, or at the castles of great feudal lords. Jousts were single combats between two knights, and were of two kinds: the joute a l'outrance, or mortal combat; and the joute a plaisance, or the jousts of peace. Tilts were exercises on horseback in which the combatants attacked each other with lances.

The tilting-armor was of light fabric. When the tilt was over, the prize was bestowed upon the victor by the Queen of Beauty chosen by the ladies. Tournaments were performed between two parties of cavaliers.

The description of a tournament in Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe," called "The gentle passage of arms of Ashby de la Zouche," has probably never been exceeded in graphic beauty by any writer: the reader can scarcely believe that he has not the scene before him.

These exhibitions were a favorite amusement during the days of chivalry, and drew together large assemblies of the rank and beauty of the times.

The great expense of organizing and attending them, caused them frequently to be prohibited by the princes.

They gradually went out of use as chivalry declined, and the art of warfare was changed by the introduction of gunpowder.