The first mention of the "martial games" known as jousting is recorded in chronicles from the 11th century (Clephan 1). Jousting, referred to generally as "Hastiludia or spear play," was only one of numerous popular martial games in the Middle Ages (Clephan 2). The skills and techniques involved in jousting were initially used in combat but ultimately became a tournament sport for entertainment for wealthy nobility during the Renaissance. This analysis will discuss the history of jousting during these two periods.
In Knights at Tournament, Christopher Gravett traces the history of jousting from its use in warfare to its rise in popularity as a martial game in tournaments during the Renaissance and became known as "The Sport of Kings," because of the rich nobles who could afford to engage in such games and the fact that even kings participated in jousting tournaments (Gravett 7). Jousting typically consists of two mounted riders carrying a pointed-edged lance made of solid wood and riding at each other at full speed in an effort to knock the other off the horse, known as "tilting" ("Jousting" 1). When used in combat, jousting often involved tilting with a variety of weapons, including lances, battle axes, daggers, or swords.
During the Medieval period, jousting in combat became highly controversial politically because of its deadly and uncivilized nature. The Catholic Church also found the practice repugnant and excommunicated jousting, including tournaments. As Gravett (7) writes, "The Church had consistently opposed tournaments, issuing prohibitions in 1131, 1139, 1179, 1193, and 1228." However, Richard I granted licenses for jousting tournaments after the 1193 ban and the one in 1228 had little success. The "papacy disliked the way the tournament promoted activity in a turbulent baronage" (Gravett 7).
In the 1300s, one document known as "The Chronicles of Froissart" contends that a...