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The sport of tournament has very ancient roots. The first tournaments typical of the Middle Ages were probably held in the 900’s. These tournaments were little more than loosely organized free for all using regular weapons. The tournament often escalated into serious conflicts. The knights of this period were somewhat barbaric and had little respect for each other and the church, and no respect for the peasants. The church intervened and placed restrictions on knights with a penalty of excommunication for those who refused to submit. This did much to tame the unruly warriors. The Pope even passed an edict declaring tournaments illegal and that those who died in them would not be given a Christian burial. This may have slowed down tournaments, but it did not bring them to a halt. Tournaments slowly became more controlled. Blunted weapons replaced the regular ones that were used for war, still, many knights were seriously injured and killed. The church continued to denounce and pass edicts outlawing tournaments, but with supporters like Richard the Lionhearted, tournaments flourished. A tournament was even held in Palestine during the third crusade at Acre. In the time the tournament was formalized with very specific rules and restrictions. It became the equivalent of professional sports. The tournament consisted of a variety of events. Tilting or jousting was one of these events. Originally the purpose of tilting was to unhorse your opponent, but in later years it became more of show than of real combat and special lances were used that broke on impact. The main event of every tournament was the melee’. The melee’ was in the truest sense a battle. The knights were divided into two opposing teams. This could be done randomly, but often was set upon national or political lines. The two “armies” would face off and battle until one side was totally captured or surrendered. It was here that many knights who had no castle or lands earned their income. During the course of the melee’ many knights would become unhorsed, unarmed and captured. This knight would be lead to an impound area where he would sit out the rest of the melee’. As a defeated knight he would forfeit his horse, armor and weapons. Generally he would have to pay a considerable ransom to regain them. A knight of prowess could earn a substantial income “playing the tournament circuit.” Loosely drawing from these colorful events of yesteryear, The Royal Order of Chivalry holds modern day tournaments. The Royal Order of Chivalry retains the spirit of chivalry, the color and pageantry, emphasizing skill and prowess, while removing the dangerous aspects. Typically Tournaments Ribbons are competed for. The Royal Order of Chivalry tournaments are conducted under very strict guidelines.
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