They had tournaments like we have contests. Skill games and the prizes were money, honor, or slaves.
They served two purposes. One was for the knights to practice their skills and to compete against each other. The other was to give everyone a bit of fun and to show off skills.
Medieval tournaments evolved from the military games of the Roman Empire. The first tournaments that were called by that name, which had a new, medieval, character, happened some time around 940 or 950. But it was not until about 1050 or so that the tournaments took on the form we would recognize, with knights jousting and so on. The critical issue here might have been the inventions of the stirrup and arched saddle, without which jousting is really not possible.
In the Middle Ages, there were several types of tournaments. Jousting tournaments involved knights on horseback competing to strike each other with a lance. Melee tournaments were more chaotic, with knights fighting on foot in a melee combat. Archery tournaments tested the skills of archers in accuracy and distance shooting. There were also equestrian games like horse racing and quintain, where participants would practice their horsemanship and target skills.
There were many hastiludes to train knights. Mock battles between large groups were called melees. There were also tournaments, jousts, pas d'armes, quintains, and other war games.
In the Middle Ages, jousting was primarily a noble sport reserved for knights and other members of the aristocracy. It was seen as an opportunity for knights to showcase their skills, valor, and chivalry. Commoners, such as peasants and townspeople, were generally not allowed to participate in jousting tournaments.
Knights used it to show who they were underneath their armor. also there was a tree at each tournament with all off the heraldry pictures on it to show who was competing
knights were the ones that participated in medieval tournaments.
jousts
Tournaments
Knights participated in tournaments, which were often jousting competitions or melees where they showcased their skills in combat and horsemanship. Tournaments were important events for knights to gain fame, honor, and prestige in medieval society.
Knights participated in mock battles known as jousting tournaments. These tournaments were popular in the Middle Ages and served as a way for knights to showcase their combat skills and prowess. Jousting tournaments were also a form of entertainment for nobles and commoners alike.
whenever they wanted to
knights took part in tournaments such as jousting and wooing ladies in their time off
Early tournaments usually in northern France (Normandy) later they were held all around Europe
because its not cool
Medieval knights would often display the armor they won jousting as a sign of their prowess and victories. Some knights might also repurpose the armor for future tournaments or battles.
Knights and nobles participated in jousting tournaments to showcase their prowess as warriors. These tournaments were popular in the Middle Ages as a way to demonstrate skill in combat and horsemanship. Jousting was a major part of medieval tournaments and provided an opportunity for knights to gain honor and prestige.
When the knight was not fighting, they maintained their skills by competing in tournaments and other competitions.