Hastilude Hastilude is a generic term used in the Middle Ages to refer to many kinds of martial games . The word comes from the Latin " hastiludium " , literally " lance game " ' . By the 14th century , the term usually excluded tournaments and was used to describe the other games collectively ; this seems to have coincided with the increasing preference for ritualistic and individualistic games over the traditional mêlée style . Today , the most well - known of the hastiludes are the tournament , or " tourney " , and the joust , but over the medieval period a number of other games and sports developed , which altered in popularity and rules from area to area , and from period to period . Distinction was made between the different types by contemporaries in their description , laws , prohibitions and customs . Types of hastiludes . Tournament . A tournament , or tourney is the name popularly given to chivalrous competitions or mock fights of the Middle Ages and Renaissance ( 12th to 16th centuries ) . Joust . In contrast to the tournament , which comprised teams of large numbers ranging over large tracts of land , the joust was fought between two individuals on horseback , in a small , defined ground often known as the " lists " . The two would ride at each other from opposite ends , charging with a couched lance . In the early fifteenth century , a barrier was introduced to keep the horses apart , to avoid collisions . More informal jousting events would have several horsemen within the lists at once , where each waited to take up the challenge of another , although the aim remained for the joust to be a one - on - one duel . There were several types of joust , including some regional preferences or rules . For example , in fourteenth century Germany , distinction was made between the " Hohenzeuggestech " , where the aim was to break the lance , and the " Scharfrennen " , where knights sought to unhorse their opponents . These types called for different lances ( light in the former , heavy in the latter ) , and saddles ( where the " Scharfrennen " called for saddles without front or rear supports , which would impede the fall ) . Jousts originally developed out of the charge at the beginning of the mêlée , but by the thirteenth century had become quite distinct from the tourney . That it was seen as a separate event , with its own rules and customs , is clear from historical documents : such as Edward II of England ' s ban of 1309 of all forms of hastilude " except " the joust . By nature of its duel , and the discrete space required for the action , the joust became a popular spectator and ceremonial sport , with elaborate rituals developing around the whole event . Pas d ' armes . The pas d ' armes or passage of arms was a type of chivalric hastilude that evolved in the late 14th century and remained popular through the 15th century . It involved a knight or group of knight s ( " tenans " or " holders " ) who would stake out a traveled spot , such as a bridge or city gate , and let it be known that any other knight who wished to pass ( " venans " or " comers " ) must first fight , or be disgraced . If a traveling venan did not have weapons or horse to meet the challenge , one might be provided , and if the venan chose not to fight , he would leave his spur s behind as a sign of humiliation . If a lady passed unescorted , she would leave behind a glove or scarf , to be rescued and returned to her by a future knight who passed that way . Mêlée . Melee generally refers to disorganized close combat involving a group of fighters . A melee ensues when groups become locked together in combat with no regard to group tactics or fighting as an organized unit ; each participant fights as an individual . Behourd . Behourd is a kind of horseback fight where the contestant , lance or sword in hand , must defend a mock castle or bastion against several attackers . Quintain . The " quintain " ( from Latin " quintana " , a street between the fifth and sixth maniples of a camp , where warlike exercises took place ) , also known as " pavo " ( or peacock ) , may have included a number of lance games , often used as training for jousting , where the competitor would attempt to strike an object with his lance , sword or other weapon . The common object was a shield or board on a pole ( usually referred to , confusingly , as ' the quintain ' ) , although a mannikin was sometimes used . While the use of horses aided in training for the joust , the game could be played on foot , using a wooden horse or on boats ( popular in 12th - century London ) . Tupinaire . While frequently referred to by contemporary sources , and included ( separately ) in various prohibitions and declarations over the medieval period , little is known about the nature of the " tupinaire " . It is clearly a hastilude , or wargame , of some kind , and distinct from the other types , but there seems to be no clear description of its rules . Chivalric Combat . Not strictly a hastilude , which were essentially games , the chivalric combat had a judicial purpose , as a means of settling a criminal or treasonous charge . Fought with weapons of war , it continued until death or severe injury ended the fight , and the loser proved guilty , and , if still alive , would be executed . It is not dissimilar to the judicial duel , but was restricted to those of chivalric rank , and usually fought before a representative of the state or crown . Round Table . Debate exists amongst historians as to whether the term " Round Table " refers to a specific type of hastilude , or the structure of one , perhaps as a form of knock - out competition , or if it refers to the social event surrounding one of the other types of hastilude .