|
|
Tournament |
|
 Index  King Joey Button Text Button Text Pager |
To arrange a tournament was an expression of leadership in the community. Edward 1 made his tournament debut at Blyth in 1256. In 1260 he lead a company of newly dubbed knights on a two year tourneying tour of Europe. A tournament in which he participated in 1270 became known as the "Little War of Chalons" . Edward sponsored two round tables, one at Falkirk in 1302 and one at Nefyn in 1284 to celebrate his conquest of Wales.
The tournament a`plaisance, fought with blunted weapons was popular from the 13th century on. A more
primitive tournament was a` outrance, with the traditional "me`lee", or mock battle. The tournament a`plaisance was quite varied. Knights fought jousts in pairs, and would run a number of courses together. Participants generally belonged either to the county elite, or the higher nobility. Knights of Earls who were not present at tournaments often fought under other retinues, just as they would in battle.
|
