One of the most important aspects of chivalry is the knight
and his horse. Without these two,
chivalry or even the knight of the Middle Ages, would be somewhat very less
interesting. For it was the loyalty, honor, and bravery of the knight and his
trusted steed, that became legend and the subject of many stories and
fables. This image is what inspired
Chaucer’s “A Knight’s Tale” and many other medieval writer’s inspirations. It was also what became the main symbolic
aspect of the medieval tournament.
The standard tournament or model for such event, arose from
Roman times as depicted through early works of art, but was further developed
and branded during the 1160’s and 1170’s and through such works as The Life of William Marshal and many of
the works of romances by Chretien de Troyes, who was renowned for his works of
chivalry and courtly love romances.
Throughout the Middle Ages, chivalry and the knight was an
important symbol to secular society. Tournaments
were knights would showcase their skills, were a height of popularity in Tudor
times, as well during the time of Edward IV and Richard III. References are
slim but they did hold these events. It
is entirely possible that Richard himself was trained to participate as well. But
we do not know, nor have the evidence at hand to know if this really happened
or not, least I have not come across it of late. (Richard competing in a tournament, would be
like jackpot in my book!) We know from historical record that Edward paid for
Richard to be tutored in the ways of knighthood up at Middleham Castle, while
he was staying with Richard Neville, the “King Maker.”
Aneurin Barnard as Richard, Duke of Gloucester |
There are records that in
1465, when Richard would have been 14 years of age, he began his study of arms
under Warwick. His age corresponds to the average age of when most youth of
noble linage would enter the tutelage of one who would prepare them for the
ways of taking up arms whether it be for warfare or for sport. It is noted,
Edward IV paid “for costs and expenses incurred by him on behalf of the Duke of
Gloucester,” while Richard was at Middleham. It is presumed that Edward IV was
thinking of the future of his throne when he made this move. He knew Warwick’s reputation, as it was
beyond excellent, and he needed as many allies as possible on his side to maintain
the throne and keep the peace in the land. Henry VI was still alive, dethroned,
but alive. That alone was enough of a threat. He needed allies, and ones of blood were the
best kind. So by training Richard in the finest art of warfare to the highest
degree and preparing him for the most honorable position of knighthood, later
becoming a knight of the Order of the Garter, was a perfectly planned move. The skills and expertise later won Richard his
renowned reputation on the battlefield as well as being an excellent
equestrian.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of tournaments and
the “big picture” is the contribution that Richard started while he was king;
he started the College of Arms. The College of Arms still exists today and
housed the heralds and their work. The
heralds kept track of the genealogy aspect of the noble families that bore
their crests, as well as the use of arms in battle and on the jousting or
tournament field. The heralds have been known to be of use since the twelfth
century. In 1484, the heralds were granted a charter to have their services
housed in London, by Richard III. When
Henry Tudor came to power, he dismantled the heralds giving their authority of
their order to his mother, Margaret Beaufort. It wasn’t until 1555, that it was
reestablished. The heralds whether they are in funeral processions, or other
stately events also were present at tournaments. There they confirmed and
recording participation in events and proved proof of genealogy of the
competitors during these events. They were also quite noticeable because their
tabards were of the royal coat of arms, which distinguished them from other
members of court and signified their importance.
(Image: King Richard III and his family in the
contemporary Rous Roll in the Heralds' College. Left to right: Anne
Neville, Queen of King Richard III; King Richard III; Edward, Prince of Wales,
their son. ) [1]
So why where tournaments important? Besides working on skill
and equestrian expertise; knights alike could tone their skills so when it was
time for battle, they knew what they were up against. It was also a place to display and build a
reputation for their houses, as well as training. It is uncertain that Richard III actually
competed in any of these events, but it is known that Edward IV held them, and Henry
VIII did participate, hence his famous jousting accident that caused him pain
in later years of his life.
One of the most famous events of these tournaments, was
jousting. Which involved two-armored
knight on horseback. While on horse
back, the knights charged each other very fast, using lances and the goal was
to either break the opponent’s lance or unhorse him. Jousting was very popular in England and
Germany through out the Middle Ages. It
was highly popular in France until 1559, when King Henry II was killed in a
jousting tournament. It was discontinued in France as a sport as a result. Horses
used in these events were not light breeds such as Arabians, or Thoroughbreds of today, but heavier
breeds similar to warm-bloods chargers and “Destriers.” Chargers were bred for aglity and stamina and the destriers
were similar but larger to Andalusians, but not as big as today’s draft horses.
Kind of in the middle.
15th-Century Manuscript Illumination of
a
Knight in Armor from the Codex Capodilista
|
In the tournaments
and also on the battlefield the horses wore it’s riders herald or coat of arms
on his blanket or “caparison”, had armour on his head called
“chanfron.” The rider almost all the time had spurs to help drive the horse
forward, as well as saddle and bridle. The
different colors and the overall display was one that was very appealing to
many, espeically the sepectators of the sport aiding in its popularity. Later
in the 15-16th century armor even had branched off to specific uses,
even one for tournaments. Modifications were made to the suits to help with
lance blows and helms were fashioned for more movement and better overal fit. Tournaments were mostly held on Mondays,
Tuesdays and other days of the week with the exception of Fridays and Sundays.
As well as put on during the year, except during the 40 days during Lent. Announcment of such events were made about a
fortnight before, or two weeks. At the
end of the day, the patron or whom ever put on the event celebrated the days
festivities with food, banquet, prizes and various forms of entertainment. It
was an event that many would not want to miss. Because of the festivities
surounding such events, it is prehaps why its allure and importance still
remains today and is an important symbol of midieval life and culture. Adding to its perservation, the contrubitions
made by King Richard III, with the housing of the Heralds aided directly its
preservation for years to come and is probably why we know of it today.
Sources/Notes:
1. Original from the Rous Roll, by John Rous, 15th
century. Image is printed in: Jesse, John Heneage (1862) Memoirs of King
Richard the Third and Some of His Contemporaries: With an Historical Drama on
the Battle of Bosworth (PDF), London: Richard
Bentley, pp. p. X Retrieved on 10 April 2009. (Accessed: 2/6/2014)
2. Halsted, Caroline
A. Richard III: As Duke of Gloucester and King of England.
Vol. 1 Longman. London, England. c. 1844. Pp. 109- 116
3. Jones, Robert. Knight, The Warrior and World of
Chivalry. Metro Books, New York, New York c. 2011
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tournament_%28medieval%29
7. Email from Amy Licence 2/7/2014
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