Why jousting was the blockbuster (and bloody) sport of the Middle Ages

Jousting was a popular sport and spectacle during the medieval period in Europe, which involved two knights riding towards each other on horseback, each wielding a long lance.

Knights would wear armour that could weigh up to 50 kilograms and was specifically designed to protect vital areas while still allowing them to mount and ride a horse.

The objective of the joust was to strike the opponent with the lance in a specific target area, usually the shield or helmet, with enough force to break the lance or knock the opponent off their horse.

Jousting began in the 11th century and lasted until the early 16th century.

The origins of jousting are unclear, but it is believed to have originated from military training exercises, where knights would practice charging at each other with lances.

The popularity of jousting reached its peak during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Many medieval rulers, such as King Henry VIII of England, were avid jousters, and tournaments were held regularly throughout Europe.

Knights jousted for a variety of reasons, including to display their martial prowess, as a form of entertainment and sport, and as a means of demonstrating their chivalric values.

It was closely linked to the Code of Chivalry, a moral and social code that emphasised honour and loyalty among the knightly class.

Jousting was considered an essential part of a knight's training, as it allowed them to hone their riding and combat skills.

Knights also jousted to gain fame and glory, as successful jousting performances could bring wealth, prestige, and the admiration of others.

Additionally, knights often jousted in the name of a lady, dedicating their victories to her in the spirit of courtly love.

In some cases, jousting was used as a diplomatic tool, with knights from different countries participating in tournaments to build relationships and establish alliances. 

Tournaments, or tourneys, were a significant part of medieval culture and involved a variety of competitions and festivities.

These events were held to celebrate important occasions, such as weddings or religious holidays, and often lasted for several days.

Tournaments were watched by members of the nobility, as well as common people, and provided an opportunity for knights to demonstrate their skills and gain fame, wealth, and prestige.

Jousting was the main event of a tournament, but other events included the melee, which was a mock battle between two teams of knights fought on foot or on horseback, where the objective was to capture or disarm opponents.

The tournaments also featured archery contests, where archers competed to shoot arrows at targets, horsemanship competitions that involved displaying the skills of horsemanship, such as jumping, riding, and maneuvering, and wrestling contests, which were a display of strength and skill that involved grappling and wrestling opponents.

Foot combat was another sport that involved knights fighting with swords, axes or other weapons while on foot, often wearing armor similar to what they used in battle.

Music and dance were also important parts of tournaments, with minstrels, troubadours and musicians creating a festive atmosphere during feasts and between events. 

The tournaments provided an opportunity for knights to demonstrate their chivalric values, such as bravery, honor, and loyalty, and to build relationships and establish alliances with other knights from different regions or countries.

Jousting was a very dangerous sport, resulting in injuries and even deaths from the high speeds the knights collided with each other. 

The knights wore armor and helmets to protect themselves, but even with this protection, injuries could be severe, including broken bones, concussions, and internal injuries.

By the late 14th century, tournaments introduced a wooden barrier known as the 'tilt' to separate the charging knights and reduce the chance of fatal collisions.

Despite the risks, jousting remained a popular sport for centuries, with knights willing to take on the dangers in the name of honor and glory.

Jousting began to decline in popularity during the 16th century as military tactics changed and cultural interests shifted.

The increasing availability of firearms and the development of new military technologies made heavily armored knights and their traditional weapons, such as lances, less effective in battle.

As a result, knights no longer had the same military significance, and jousting began to lose its practical purpose.

The death of King Henry II of France in 1559 from a jousting wound significantly impacted its popularity. 

Also, hosting a tournament was an expensive affair, as it involved providing lodging, food, and entertainment for the participants, and required large open spaces to hold the events.

This made it challenging for the nobility to justify the cost of organizing such events, and gradually, tournaments became less frequent and less elaborate.

Additionally, as the Renaissance period emerged, there was a shift towards more intellectual pursuits and artistic endeavors, which meant that less attention was given to chivalric values and martial pursuits like jousting.

The increasing importance of diplomacy and politics also led to a shift in focus from personal glory and honor to more practical and strategic considerations.