Jousting is a tournament in which young knights may showcase their lance and horse riding skills. Those brave knights jousting in this dangerous tournament must have unlimited courage and skill with their lance. The following is a guide for such brave knights wishing to enter in a jousting tournament for the first time.
Protective equipment for knights who wish to take up jousting:
The padded acton – This is a heavily padded tunic worn under the coat of mail for protection of the bare skin from chafing while jousting.
The coat of mail halberk – This is a mid thigh shirt with sleeves made entirely of chain, which discourages the piercing of brave knights with the jousting lance.
The coat of plates – metal plates are sewn inside cloth or leather clothing for protection of knights from the thrusting jousting lance.
The mail coif – This is a protective chain mail hood worn by knights for protection of the tender head in jousting tournaments.
The full face metal helmet – This apparatus has holes only for sight and is worn to protect the faces and necks of the brave knights of jousting.
The vamplate – A hand shield for the knights lance to prevent jousting or thrusting injuries to the hand.
The tilting – A shield held on the right side to prevent injuries from thrusting lances while atop their fine mounts.
Additional equipment for jousting knights:
The lance – A long spear type instrument used to prod and unseat the other knights while jousting.
The winch – For getting knights and all their heavy equipment up onto their mounts.
The coronel – The hardened end of the knights jousting lance.
The horses (mounts) – Must be sturdy, strong and true to the jousting knights they serve.
Jousting procedures and techniques:
- Don your armor. Be certain there are few vital spots unprotected.
- Wear your lady’s favor on the upper arm
- Ready and raise the weapons for jousting.
- Mount the horse, with lance at the ready.
- Use a winch or handy slave for mounting if needed.
- Sit firmly in the saddle. Use knees and thighs to grip your mount.
- Tilting and lance should be held upright in the right hand.
- The reigns should be held firmly in the left hand for jousting, for better control
- At the signal, set your mount to gallop hard and straight. (Be sure your lance is still upright.)
- Two strides before the collision, lower your lance across your mounts neck.
- Aim for your opponent’s torso.
- Do not poke with your knights lance, simply brace and let it follow it’s true course.
- Jousting knights should use their thighs to hold themselves firm in the mounts saddle.
- On impact, knights should lean back on their mounts to absorb the force and stay in the saddle.
- Repeat this procedure until one of the knights is unseated.
Source:
Historic Enterprises
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