Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-02
The Medieval Tournament.

THE tournament in its inception was
more gathering for the practice of ath-
leiic games than anything else. In time,
however, it became the occasion for the
display of ali the pomp and circumstance
of the time, and was made the chief attrac-
ton at such popular festivities as a royal
marriage, the entrance of a sovereign into
town, or any other occasion of public
rejoicing. There is a tradition that the
tournament, properly so called, was first
instituted in the tenth century in Brittany
by Geotfrey, the lord of Preuilla.
When tournament was resolved upon
The Judges were selected, and the time and
place, together with the rules regulating
III. were proclaimed publicly by the her
aid, cor eta crl, or with the voice and the
trumpet, as it was called The king-at-
arms, wearing a gold cloth upon which
the arms of the judges were painted, pro-
claimed the tournament, whilethe heralds
distributed cards upon which the arms
were painted to anyone who would take
Ila1m.
The occurrence of tournament created
a great excitement all through the sur
rounding country. The knights and
mobiles came with their retinues to attend
ii. while the dealers and peddlers, and all
the classes who sought such public gath
cE1ngs for the furtherance of their private
gains, swarmed to the spot in crowds.
Great labor, pains and expense were in
VOlyed in the preparation of the lists in
which the tournament was to take place,
and the temporary accommodations for
the actors, the spectators and the Judges.
The lists came finally to be constructed
nm an oblong form, and were decorated
with brilliantly painted and gilded de
signs and heraldic emblems, and hung
with rich tapestries Banners bearing
hersldlc devices were brought by the va
Tious knights who gathered to take part
IN the celebration, and before the day Of
the tournament the houses in which they
lodged were decorated with them, while
IN some castle, cloister or monastery of
the vicinity their coats of arms were hung,
NlSlJOTS
gathered to inspect them. If among them
any lady recognized the banner of a knight
against whom she had any cause for com
plaint, she called the attention of the
Judges to it; and if on investigation he
was found unworthy he was not allowed
i0 take part in the tournament
Before the opening of the serious bust
ness for which the gathering had come
together the esquires practiced in the lists
and the ladies gathered to witness their
teats. Frequently in these trials an es-
quire who distinguished himself was
knighted on the spot, and allowed to cele-
brate the occasions by taking part in the
ensuing tournament
Upon the stands built for the spectators
were gathered the beauty and fashion of
the time. Kings, queens, princes, and the
highest nobility of the land gathered to
witness the spectacle, and by their pres
ence inspirit the contestants to display
their prowess. At certain parts of the
lists the stands were erected for the camp
2naIshals and the seconds of the knights.
Within the lists, or close to them, were the
kingS-at-arms and the heraldS, who were
To watch the sports and render faithful
account Of them. Crowds Of servants
were at hand to render assistance if needed.
Bands of music added to the festivity of
ihe scene. As their clarion notes sounded,
ahe knights, in full armor, magnifcently
equipped, with their steeds decorated and
armed, entered the lists, followed by their
esquires. Sometimes the knights were led
into the lists by the ladies they had sworn
to serve, fastened with gold or silver
chains, from which they were released be-
fore the combat began. AS rule the
knight bore, also fastened upon some part
OF his person, ina conspicuous place, some
¬ 0f ribbon or other favor which his
lady had bestowed upon hlm.-Eduord
HosOIa'1d, IN Harper s Magoz5ne.