History of the Tournament
Tournaments developed from a form of medieval training for war into courtly entertainments used by monarchs to demonstrate their power and wealth.
These later tournaments were colourful spectacles that would last for several days with different competitions on each day. These days would be accompanied by feasts, pageants, music and dances.
Only the most wealthy could afford to stage such a spectacle and only the rich nobility could afford to take part.
Tournaments were occasions for knights to be seen in parades and processions showing off their horsemanship, coats of arms, wealth and of course their most fashionable, expensive and often strange armours.
By the time of the Tudors the chief purpose of tournaments was to glorify the sovereign and to add lustre to great royal occasions, but by the late 17th century they had virtually disappeared.
Types of combat
There were three forms of tournament combat. Each event had its own set of rules dictating the type of armour and weapons to be used.
Tourney
Mock battles fought in teams in the countryside.
Joust
A contest between two mounted knights charging at each other with lances.
Foot Combat
Weapons used included spears, maces, pollaxes and two-handed swords.
Notable objects located in this gallery
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Field and tilt armour of Robert Dudley
The armour of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, a favourite courtier of Elizabeth I.
Dates from 1575 | Object number: II.81
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Foot combat armour of Christian I
A foot combat armour for Christian I, Elector of Saxony by Anton Peffenhauser.
Dates from 1591 | Object number: II.186
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Tilting armour of Maximilian I
An armour for jousting over a tilt or barrier for the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.
Dates from 1500
