Tournaments, which figure prominently in medieval French literature, evolved in the late 11th and early 12th c. to test the equestrian skills demanded of knights in battle. In the early days these mêlées were often unintentionally dangerous—Count Geoffrey of Brittany was killed in one in 1186. Consequently the Church banned all such meetings, and did not change its mind until 1316. But although the French monarchs were thereby deterred from participating, the ban was not otherwise effective in limiting the spread of what became a very popular sport. In the interests of safety the proceedings were sometimes pared down to ‘hastiludes’—mounted combat using only spears—or even jousts (single combat), and the chief aim became to unhorse and ransom opponents. The popularity of such encounters derived from the opportunity they provided for knights to enrich themselves and to catch the eye of potential noble patrons. The most striking example of upward social mobility achieved largely through prowess in tournaments was the career of William Marshal, a knight in the service of the Angevin kings of England who ended his life as earl of Pembroke and regent for the young Henry III. His exploits were celebrated in the Histoire de Guillaume le Mareschal [see Anglo-Norman Literature, 4].
The 1170s marked a proliferation of tournaments under the patronage of Count Philip of Flanders, Henry the Liberal of Champagne, and Henry, heir to the Angevin king Henry II. They became a spectator sport with a particular appeal to the ladies of the courts, who encouraged the development of heraldic devices for ease of recognition. The increasing emphasis on the splendour of apparel and equipment led to escalating costs and prevented all but the richest of lords from staging these spectacles for the rest of the Middle Ages. But those who could afford to do so regarded it as a worthy demonstration of their high social status. Tournaments were held in special places appointed for the purpose, and in celebration of marriages, knighting ceremonies, or other important occasions. Frederick Barbarossa's plans for the Third Crusade were hatched at a tournament, as were those of the counts of Blois and Champagne for the Fourth Crusade. As late as 1559, Henri II died as a result of an accident sustained in a tournament.
[Jean Dunbabin]
Bibliography
- R. Barber and J. Barker, Tournaments (1989)
