TOURNAMENTS were combats of honour, in which persons of noble birth entered the lists
to gain reputation in feats of arms. The name is derived from tourner, to turn, from the
horsemen turning frequently as they rode round the enclosure, and during the
course of the engagement. The design of tournaments was to train the nobility to the use of
arms; none, therefore, were admitted to these sports but persons of noble birth, who could
prove their descent, at least, by three generations. They were also required to be men of
unspotted honour and integrity.
It was customary for princes, on some public festivity or rejoicing, to appoint a day for these
entertainments, and give public notice to the knights in their own territories, as well as in the
neighbouring states.
The knights generally made their appearance four days before the combat. They
endeavoured to excel each other in the splendour of their equipage and dress, and in the
excellence and beauty of their horses, which were adorned with the most costly caparisons.
Their armorial ensigns were displayed with great pomp during three days, that all who
viewed them might judge if they were worthy of entering the lists. The field where the
tournament was to be held was railed in with pales. This place was called the lists. A king was
appointed to preside over the sports, as were also judges to examine the knights' armour and
arms, and to see that no unfair advantage was taken. A number of other officers were
appointed, which our space will not allow us to mention.
A short distance from the lists were the galleries and pavilions for the spectators; the most
splendid was that fitted up for the lady who presided as queen of the tournament and her
attendants, all splendidly attired. The most noble and most beautiful ladies of the court
crowded to these martial entertainments to inspire the combatants with ardour, by giving
them some token or favour, such as a scarf, veil, or bracelet, with which the knight adorned his
helmet or spear.
Their arms were lances of light wood, without iron at the top; swords without edge or point; in
some instances wooden swords were used. The knights were formed into two parties, and
entered the lists by different barriers, riding round the lists several times to pay their respects
to their sovereign and the ladies. At length the heralds sounded to arms; the quadrils, or troop,
took their stations; when the charge was sounded, the knights rushed against each other with
the utmost impetuosity.
The clashing of swords, the sounding shields, the war-cry of the knights, who shouted the
name of their ladye-love in the midst of the mimic strife, greatly excited the spectators, who,
in return, cheered and encouraged the combatants. When the knights were brave
and determined, the contest lasted some hours; the vanquished, that is, those who were thrown
from their horses, withdrew from the lists as quietly as possible, leaving the field to their
successful opponents. The victory was decided by the number of knights unhorsed. The prizes
to the victors were adjudged and delivered by the queen and the ladies. This authority of the
fair sex contributed greatly to polish the manners of the nobility and gentry of the middle
ages, who were anxious to court the favour of those who were the distributors of public
honours.
Sometimes this entertainment was followed by jousts. Two cavaliers, out of gallantry, would
break a lance in honour of the ladies. These were followed by others until the lists were again
cleared for the tournament. The difference between tournaments and
jousts was, that the former were in the nature of battles, the latter of duels.
When the sports were over, the heralds and pursuivants declared the names and titles of the
knights, and proclaimed the heraldic ornaments which the emperor, king, or prince that
presided at the tournament granted to those whom he pleased to reward or
favour.
Notwithstanding all the precautions to prevent the mischief that might happen at these martial
exercises few were exhibited in which a great number were not wounded, some killed in the
melée, others crushed by the falling of the scaffolds, or trod to death by the horses. Kings,
princes, and gallant knights from every part of Europe have perished at different times while
attending or taking part in those mimic battles. Successive popes thundered out their
anathemas against all that encouraged this warlike and dangerous amusement. Those who
perished in these sanguinary entertainments were denied the honour of Christian burial; and
yet, so strong was the passion of the nobility of Europe for these martial sports, from a desire
to display their grandeur, courage, and address before the ladies and the assembled multitude,
that no bulls, decretals, or anathemas of the church were able to restrain them.
The use of gunpowder, and the consequent inutility of armour to defend the person in battle,
gradually put an end to these animating shows. The tragical death of Henry II. of France, in
1559, who was accidentally killed in a tournament, caused laws to be passed prohibiting their
being held in that kingdom. They were continued in England till the beginning of the
seventeenth century.
An attempt was made to revive these martial exhibitions in Scotland, a few years ago, by Lord
Eglintoun, the acknowledged leader in all manly sports, elegant athletic exercises, and baronial
liberality. This noble peer proclaimed a tournament to be held at Eglintoun Castle on the 28th
and 29th of August, 1839.
The lists were duly prepared, a covered pavilion was erected for the accommodation of the
ladies, which would contain 3000 persons. In front of this pavilion was the throne of the
Queen of Beauty and her attendants. Around the lists, at convenient distances, were
arranged the tents or pavilions of the knights, over which floated the gonfalon, or great
banner, emblazoned with the arms and motto of the knight to whom the tent was
appropriated, penons and penoncils fluttered at each angle of the pavilion, and the shield was
placed over the entrance.
The knights vied with each other in the decoration of their pavilions; all was in accordance
with ancient customs: and if the shade of Froissart had witnessed the scene, it could not have
complained of modern innovation or misplaced ornament. The procession of the King of the
tournament, the Queen of Beauty, with the judges, heralds, pursuivants, halberdiers, musicians,
men-at-arms, as also the splendid retinues of the noble challenger and the gallant knights,
presented a scene unparalleled for magnificence and heraldic emblazonment since the days
of Edward IV. Every form was observed in this modern tournament; and a more interesting
scene for the historian, the antiquary, and armorist, could not be exhibited.
Unfortunately, the continued rain cast a gloom over this animated spectacle, which
nevertheless excited the highest admiration of all who beheld it: a spectator of the scene could
well imagine the enthusiasm similar ones would create in the minds of the gay and brave of
former times. It is deemed necessary to briefly notice the last tournament held in Britain; as
any one that requires full information on every part of heraldic ornament, processional
arrangement, and technical definition, may find positive examples in the details of this
gorgeous exhibition.
to gain reputation in feats of arms. The name is derived from tourner, to turn, from the
horsemen turning frequently as they rode round the enclosure, and during the
course of the engagement. The design of tournaments was to train the nobility to the use of
arms; none, therefore, were admitted to these sports but persons of noble birth, who could
prove their descent, at least, by three generations. They were also required to be men of
unspotted honour and integrity.
It was customary for princes, on some public festivity or rejoicing, to appoint a day for these
entertainments, and give public notice to the knights in their own territories, as well as in the
neighbouring states.
The knights generally made their appearance four days before the combat. They
endeavoured to excel each other in the splendour of their equipage and dress, and in the
excellence and beauty of their horses, which were adorned with the most costly caparisons.
Their armorial ensigns were displayed with great pomp during three days, that all who
viewed them might judge if they were worthy of entering the lists. The field where the
tournament was to be held was railed in with pales. This place was called the lists. A king was
appointed to preside over the sports, as were also judges to examine the knights' armour and
arms, and to see that no unfair advantage was taken. A number of other officers were
appointed, which our space will not allow us to mention.
A short distance from the lists were the galleries and pavilions for the spectators; the most
splendid was that fitted up for the lady who presided as queen of the tournament and her
attendants, all splendidly attired. The most noble and most beautiful ladies of the court
crowded to these martial entertainments to inspire the combatants with ardour, by giving
them some token or favour, such as a scarf, veil, or bracelet, with which the knight adorned his
helmet or spear.
Their arms were lances of light wood, without iron at the top; swords without edge or point; in
some instances wooden swords were used. The knights were formed into two parties, and
entered the lists by different barriers, riding round the lists several times to pay their respects
to their sovereign and the ladies. At length the heralds sounded to arms; the quadrils, or troop,
took their stations; when the charge was sounded, the knights rushed against each other with
the utmost impetuosity.
The clashing of swords, the sounding shields, the war-cry of the knights, who shouted the
name of their ladye-love in the midst of the mimic strife, greatly excited the spectators, who,
in return, cheered and encouraged the combatants. When the knights were brave
and determined, the contest lasted some hours; the vanquished, that is, those who were thrown
from their horses, withdrew from the lists as quietly as possible, leaving the field to their
successful opponents. The victory was decided by the number of knights unhorsed. The prizes
to the victors were adjudged and delivered by the queen and the ladies. This authority of the
fair sex contributed greatly to polish the manners of the nobility and gentry of the middle
ages, who were anxious to court the favour of those who were the distributors of public
honours.
Sometimes this entertainment was followed by jousts. Two cavaliers, out of gallantry, would
break a lance in honour of the ladies. These were followed by others until the lists were again
cleared for the tournament. The difference between tournaments and
jousts was, that the former were in the nature of battles, the latter of duels.
When the sports were over, the heralds and pursuivants declared the names and titles of the
knights, and proclaimed the heraldic ornaments which the emperor, king, or prince that
presided at the tournament granted to those whom he pleased to reward or
favour.
Notwithstanding all the precautions to prevent the mischief that might happen at these martial
exercises few were exhibited in which a great number were not wounded, some killed in the
melée, others crushed by the falling of the scaffolds, or trod to death by the horses. Kings,
princes, and gallant knights from every part of Europe have perished at different times while
attending or taking part in those mimic battles. Successive popes thundered out their
anathemas against all that encouraged this warlike and dangerous amusement. Those who
perished in these sanguinary entertainments were denied the honour of Christian burial; and
yet, so strong was the passion of the nobility of Europe for these martial sports, from a desire
to display their grandeur, courage, and address before the ladies and the assembled multitude,
that no bulls, decretals, or anathemas of the church were able to restrain them.
The use of gunpowder, and the consequent inutility of armour to defend the person in battle,
gradually put an end to these animating shows. The tragical death of Henry II. of France, in
1559, who was accidentally killed in a tournament, caused laws to be passed prohibiting their
being held in that kingdom. They were continued in England till the beginning of the
seventeenth century.
An attempt was made to revive these martial exhibitions in Scotland, a few years ago, by Lord
Eglintoun, the acknowledged leader in all manly sports, elegant athletic exercises, and baronial
liberality. This noble peer proclaimed a tournament to be held at Eglintoun Castle on the 28th
and 29th of August, 1839.
The lists were duly prepared, a covered pavilion was erected for the accommodation of the
ladies, which would contain 3000 persons. In front of this pavilion was the throne of the
Queen of Beauty and her attendants. Around the lists, at convenient distances, were
arranged the tents or pavilions of the knights, over which floated the gonfalon, or great
banner, emblazoned with the arms and motto of the knight to whom the tent was
appropriated, penons and penoncils fluttered at each angle of the pavilion, and the shield was
placed over the entrance.
The knights vied with each other in the decoration of their pavilions; all was in accordance
with ancient customs: and if the shade of Froissart had witnessed the scene, it could not have
complained of modern innovation or misplaced ornament. The procession of the King of the
tournament, the Queen of Beauty, with the judges, heralds, pursuivants, halberdiers, musicians,
men-at-arms, as also the splendid retinues of the noble challenger and the gallant knights,
presented a scene unparalleled for magnificence and heraldic emblazonment since the days
of Edward IV. Every form was observed in this modern tournament; and a more interesting
scene for the historian, the antiquary, and armorist, could not be exhibited.
Unfortunately, the continued rain cast a gloom over this animated spectacle, which
nevertheless excited the highest admiration of all who beheld it: a spectator of the scene could
well imagine the enthusiasm similar ones would create in the minds of the gay and brave of
former times. It is deemed necessary to briefly notice the last tournament held in Britain; as
any one that requires full information on every part of heraldic ornament, processional
arrangement, and technical definition, may find positive examples in the details of this
gorgeous exhibition.
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