Dragon's Lair Canadian National and International Jousting Tournament, Joust - A Festival Of Mediaeval Mayhem, The Joust, History Of Jousting, The Royal Joust, England's Medieval Festival's Fully Armoured Joust

Dragon's Lair Canadian National and International Jousting Tournament

From the 12th to the 14th of July 2002, the Canadian National and International Jousting Tournament was held at the Dragon's Lair Farm near Waterford, Ontario. The event included riders from Belgium, UK, USA and Canada. Present at this event was a demonstration of medieval archery and artillery by members of Canadian Association of Ancient and Medieval Archery (CAAMA and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Also present at this event was the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA) along with the Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild (OMSG), an AEMMA Associate Group presented two 14th century armoured judicial duels daily on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend's event. The event attracted over 5,000 people despite the blistering heat and sun the entire weekend. However, with ample beer flowing in the beer garden under the massive indoor jousting lists, and spectating the heavy armoured jousts in the shade of the indoor lists, the spectators were able to witness the prowess of the armoured riders in comfort. The light armoured division also were held in the cooler interior lists and the games were held on the outdoor lists. Also present at this event were a number of vendors, with wares ranging from chain mail to armour to swords.

Joust - A Festival Of Mediaeval Mayhem

Joust– the UK’s largest and most spectacular mediaeval festival returns to the stunning setting of Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire for two family fun-packed weekends in 2006 - Saturday 22nd / Sunday 23rd & Saturday 29th / Sunday 30th July. Joust is fun, educational, cultural and entertaining; recreating the verve and vigour of a world when lives were harsh and hearts were passionate. From the moment you walk through the gates you are greeted by a multitude of mediaeval characters and have stepped back in time over 500 years.
Each day from 10am to 6pm, the packed programme of mediaeval revelry includes hundreds of heavily armoured knights battling for possession of the castle in the thunderous siege, colourful all-action Jousting from the Knights of Arkley, booming cannon displays, Archery competitions and demonstrations with William of Berkeley – the fastest longbow shot in the country, the Mediaeval Learning Zone with entertaining talks mediaeval Astrology, Birds of Prey displays, Jesters, mediaeval arts and crafts traders, and live performances from the internationally acclaimed singing group the Mediaeval Baebes. Wandering minstrels, mediaeval dance troupes and actor’s companies enliven the atmosphere while the ‘Mediaeval Island’ with its massive Living History Village is a treasure trove of lifestyles long lost in the mists of time.Sharpen your sword skills in the Knights Challenge Area and brush up on your longbow techniques with the Have a Go Archery. Groats are the currency in the Children’s Kingdom where kids can run amok in their own area. There is the pelt the peasant, face painting, the ever-popular wound painting, story telling, a bouncy castle and pony rides.
The festival ticket also gains entry into Berkeley Castle that dates back to 1153. The castle was the murder scene for one of the Kings of England and was the inspiration for Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Joust at Berkeley is excellently located 10 minutes from Junctions 13 and 14 on the M5 and has ample Free Parking

The Joust

When we think of the knight in shining armor, we almost automatically think of the grand joust. It's hard not to imagine the thunderous hoofbeats and the roar of the crowd as two knights race towards each other in a test of skill and nerve.
The Joust grew from the chaotic melee of the tournament. As restrictions were put on this dangerous form of combat practice, an event designed to test the horsemanship and weapons skill of the individual knight evolved, and eventually became the focus of the merry spectacle of the tourney.
In the joust the knight used the lance, a weapon specifically designed for mounted combat. At first jousters would simply spur their horses towards one another, weapons ready, each attempting to push the other off his horse. Once on the ground, his battle was as good as lost, for the mounted warrior could run him down, trample him, or spear him with his lance--all while out of reach of the land-bound fighter.
When the joust came to represent the horsemanship of the fighter, safeguards evolved. The lance was fitted with a three-pronged tip, a coronal, which was designed to keep the weapon from penetrating a knight's helm and to redistribute the force of the impact.
Armor developed specifically for the joust. Some armor had heavier protection on the side toward the opponent and lighter or no protection on the other side. There was a style of armor with a built-in shield at one side of the waist, just at the point where the lance should strike.
There was even armor designed to break apart on impact, leaving the rider in the saddle. None of this armor was ever used in real battle, for the point of the joust was to test skill, often against comrades, and survive.
The tilt barrier came into use by the middle of the fifteenth century. First, a rope hung with fabric was stretched along the jousting ground about three or four feet high; each rider was, theoretically, supposed to stay on his side of this barrier. This tentative barrier was replaced with a wooden one up to six feet high, for it was too easy for horse or rider to push through the fabric. Using a tilt barrier meant that the jousters had to point their lances at an angle, making them more likely to break and less likely to harm the opponent. Open jousting (without a tilt barrier) continued as a separate event.
There were other events besides the joust at a tournament, usually involving ways a knight would practice his skill. One such event was the ring, wherein a knight would ride past a dangling hoop only a few inches in diameter and attempt to spear it with his lance. Knights would also run the quintain, which involved riding at a dummy that had a target in one hand and a counterweight in the other. The rider had to be quick as well as accurate, for as soon as the target was hit, the counterweight would spin around, knocking a slow horseman in the head. As you might imagine, such events provided great entertainment for spectators.
But the joust remained the main event at what was increasingly a grander and more fabulous spectacle.

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History of Jousting

The words "Tournament" and "joust" are often used indiscriminately; strictly speaking "joust" involves single combat between two horsemen, whereas "Tournament" refers to the "melee" or mounted combat between bodies of armored knights outside of warfare. "Tournament" is also used to describe the overall event or series of events at which such combat takes place.
The origin of the word tournament is not fully known, though it has been suggested that it derives from the fact that medieval knights rode at the quintain, and often at one another, 'par tour' or in turns.
The Tournament, in its earliest form, was basically a mounted sport whereby participants prepared themselves for war. It may have derived from the Roman 'Game of Troy' (ludus Troiae) or from similar war games practiced by Germanic tribes of the same period, in which mock battles were fought.
Although its origins might have dated from antiquity, the medieval tournament did not actually appear in written records until around the middle of the 10th century AD. The first recorded reference of such an organized event is dated in the year 1066, and makes mention of a certain Godfrey de Preuilly, who is described as having invented the medieval tournament. In fact, according to contemporary chronicles, he is reported to have been accidentally killed while taking part in his own invention.
The earliest tournaments appear to have evolved in mainland Europe. There are many references to such European events during the 12th century, and during this century such events became quite popular amongst the mounted soldiery of the continent. In addition, there are certain documents which detail the arrival of the sport in England during the reign of King Stephen in the mid 1100's.
During this developmental stage of the practice, tournaments were basically a mock battle, fought with real weapons in the preferred style of the day. These early tournaments consisted universally of a 'melee' or small battle in which skirmishing tactics were refined and applied; often these engagements would last several hours or days and would range over a wide topographical area, occasionally spilling into nearby towns and settlements. Such melees were, in effect, small wars, with the primary distinction between them and actual warfare being that, technically, a state of warfare did not actually exist between the two opposing factions at the time. In any event, early tournaments lacked almost all of the ceremony and structure which governed such events in the centuries to follow.
During the 12th century, however, tournaments began to become more organized. The single greatest unifying factor which appeared at this time was the almost universal adoption of the "lance charge" which began the melee, in which armored opponents started such contests by mounting a tremendous cavalry charge against the opposing side. The two forces would clash together, often at great cost to men and mounts, then, when the respective charges had ground more-or-less to a halt, the two sides would begin to pound one another, riding to and fro, jockeying for position. The melee would become a swirling mass of horses and riders, the participants hacking and slashing at one another in an attempt to win the advantage for their side. Fatalities were not uncommon. It is no wonder that the practice was banned by several popes throughout its colorful history.
During the 13th century new rules were developed and implemented to add to the relative safety of both participants and observers. An alternative form of lance was developed, the 'lance of peace'. This was similar in most respects to its deadlier cousin, except that its tip had either been rebated (blunted) or replaced by a metal crown-shaped head called a coronel, which was designed to disperse the impact of the blow. In addition, rebated swords came into general use at tournaments around the same time, along with lighter more specialized armor, and all such armaments were grouped together under the title 'armes a plaisance' (arms of courtesy). Nevertheless, actual sharpened weaponry and heavy field armor was still used in certain circumstances, the 'armes a outrance' or "arms of war." Such weaponry was utilized in serious challenges and combats, the contest ending when one combatant was killed or disabled.

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The Royal Joust

RoundTable Productions is proud to offer this unique and very special show, a medieval armored joust. Step back in time and witness an event fit for kings, queens and commoners alike. The Royal Joust is a special event that accurately captures the feeling of a true historic medieval joust. Your guests will witness knights in shinning armor, ladies in majestic gowns, the grandeur of colorful warhorses, and the pomp and pageantry of the medieval event that has thrilled people’s imagination for five hundred years.
The Royal Joust, presented by Roundtable Productions, is a representation of a jousting tournament of the 1480’s. This show has been rigorously researched and documented for historic content. All ceremony, costumes, and equipment are made to the highest standards for both authenticity and safety.
In the late Middle Ages, tournaments where considered the super bowl of their times. The knights who jousted where super stars to the common people, who even then thrilled to the daring exploits of their favorite knight. Many historic documents where used to create this unique event. The Beauchamp Pageants, a pictorial history of the Earl of Warwick, dates from the late 1400’s. He gives us a treasure trove of pictorial evidence for costumes and equipment. The English translation of a French medieval text on how to hold a tournament; King Rene’s Tournament Book, gives us the written source for scripting. The rules for the joust are those laid down by Sir John Tiptoft in 1466. All this research and development gives us the unique ability to deliver and historically exciting and accurate event.

England's Medieval Festival's Fully Armoured Joust

Mounted tournaments were an integral part of the training of cavalry troops and men-at-arms in medieval times, providing both an exercise to sharpen battle skills and an early form of entertainment. They were a punishing form of training, with serious injuries and even death being common. You learnt fast, or you paid the price.
The spectacular fully armoured Joust seen at Herstmonceux Castle has become one of the highlights of the England's Medieval Festival and is staged once a day.
Mounted troops played a significant part in the struggle of the Wars of the Roses and the Hundred Years' War, despite the fierce stopping power of the longbow. Cavalry charges featured in such battles as Blore Heath and Bosworth Field, as well as further afield in France. Fast, efficient light cavalry units evolved as a solution to the stalemate of two armies intent on using the 'English' system of defensive tactics.
Destrier is one of Britain's most celebrated groups of medieval re-enactors, specialising in displaying all facets of medieval cavalry. Members of Destrier are in constant demand for their skills and showmanship, particularly in the world of television and film - you'll probably recognise the odd face or two. And, like becoming a knight in medieval times, becoming a member of Destrier is no straight-forward business: each and every one is an expert in arms and horseback skills in order to add an authentic dimension to the medieval military encampment.
The Jousting tournament is the hardest hitting and most demanding challenge of accuracy, stamina, horsemanship and courage for any rider! The breaking (and receiving) of lances on the riders plate armour. With half a ton of horse and rider galloping toward each other at 25 miles an hour the combined impact of two contestants is not to be undertaken lightly! This particular game is reserved for only those with a high standard of defensive apparel and prior knowledge of this noble art. The Jousting tournament will end with a "Melee", a team contest of open skirmish between teams with scoring awarded for successful blows landed.
The Knights and Squires of Destrier will be providing all the comentary and judging for the mounted tournaments again this year. Their members will be displaying these skills as they compete against each other in full plate armour.
Pick your champion.... and come along and cheer them on! See the timetable in the vistors info section of this website for details of the Joust timings.

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What happens at a joust?

First the trumpets sound, announcing the entrance of a herald who will act as MC for the joust. The herald will explain what’s about to happen during the joust.
He will then call forth the knights. In come the knights in procession, each knight is lead in by his lady mounted on a courser. The ladies lead in their knight as a sign that the deeds of the knights are done to honor their ladies. Following the ladies and knights; are the squires who carry the knight’s shield and lance. The knights then parade about the field with flags showing off their own skill and that their destrier, or warhorse.
The knights continue this show of mounted skill with, the Games. Running the ring; using a lance the knight will charge down the field and skewer a ring suspended. Not an easy thing in seventy pounds of armor. He will joust the quintain; a training tool for a jousting knight. It is a shield placed on a spinning arm, when a knight would hit it with their lance the arm would spin. A counter weight is placed opposite the shield; if a knight charged too slowly he would receive a buffet from the counter weight. This is followed by the Battle of Crest & Baton. This is a game of martial skill; where each knight places on his helm a crest, then take in hand a wooden baton. The object is while mounted shatter the crest of your opponent. Our knights take this as the first opportunity to show of their skill at fighting, for it “impresses the ladies well”.
The herald will announce a formal challenge, given by one of the knights. The challenge is in the form of a joust a’outrance, or a joust of war. The herald will lay forth the rules for the joust; what is honorably permitted and what is not. For judgment of this martial debate a lady of the tournament will be chosen from the crowd. This noble lady will act as judge in matters of honor. Chosen by the knight’s ladies, she will be crowned the queen of love and beauty.
The knights will then arm themselves at the ends of the field. They will don their helms and take up their shields and lances. With a sign from the herald the trumpets sound and the knights and their mounts will charge one another; breaking lances against their opponent. When all lances are broken the knights will take up sword and axe; fighting till one knight is un-mounted.
If the Queen of Love and Beauty believes honor is not yet fulfilled, the noble contestants will continue on foot with pole axe and great sword; till one or the other is victorious. The champion will proceed at the heralds request to mount his destrier, and accept a gift from the Queen of Love and Beauty. Taking his flag he will ride about the field showing honor to the crowd and accepting their applause. The trumpets sound and with a thank you to the Queen of Love and Beauty the herald will conclude The Royal Joust.
Historic armored jousting is a growing in popularity; offering a unique blend of martial and mounted skill for both rider and mount. Along with the Royal Joust, RoundTable Productions offers a question and answer sessions during your event. This a great opportunity to answer questions, and let your guests young and old experience first hand the knights, horses and equipment used in jousting today.
The Royal Joust is an exciting, educational, and spectacular show that leaves your guests cheering for more; adding to your event and helping your guests to have an experience they will remember. Our joust shows are as flexible as your event is diverse; with full thirty minute shows to ten minute demos. We can fit a show, to fit your needs, for exciting entertainment.

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