Jousting: Tournament at the Tower pt 1, London England 2007

[GriffinHistorical]

MrNamen, the words we used are ad libbed with a mind to period feel. We do not speak 'tudorese' or try to be real medieval people as the audience simply wouldn't understand true medieval English.

We have a fine line to tread with getting info across to a modern audience whilst still retaining a period feel.

We certainly don't borrow any dialogue from 'The Tudors', which is at best a script writers attempt at loosely interpreting events from HVIII's reign.

[GriffinHistorical]

printz150 - the words used are 'laissez aller'. Stricly speaking it means to let go but it has 'off we go!' meanings with a sense of lack of restraint. It's French for lets get ready to rumble!, but with a more period feel.

[MrMeineNamen]

this are the exact lines from the show Tudors... or is the show Tudors taking these lines? or were these just documented word from word 600 years ago?

[nonSteel]

Bahaha, they wouldnt allow women to just interupt like that

[historicent]

@nonSteel She was portraying Queen Elizabeth Woodville, and we were jousting for her pleasure as members of the court and visiting nobility. As Queen, she could do anything she liked in this situation.

[shcnoozlebop]

i didn't know people would still be jousting today. but it doesn't seem nearly as brutal as it used to be when it started.

[1169Timothy]

@shcnoozlebop Jousting tournaments in the medieval era were not blood baths you know. They were contests for knights to gain prestige and honor as well as a form of sport for the masses. The only thing is that back then the lances did not shatter on contact, they were real but dull at the top.

[historicent]

The Tower joust was a "display" rather than a full-on competition, but the jousting is real. As a participant in the Tower events, a regular competitor at the Royal Armouries tournaments, and an organizer of the premier tournament in the USA (Tournament of the Phoenix) I can say that this type of jousting is quite different than the KoM stuff. I'll leave it up to you to see how, but look at the video in the next comment and make up your mind. Compare it to their videos.

[JBMontgomery87]

Is this different than the American full-contact stuff which is getting its own reality show? ('Knights of Mayhem', I think it's called.)

[historicent]

@JBMontgomery87 sorry, link didn't work. Check out the video comment I just made, for comparison. Or if that doesn't work, look at our video titled "Tournament of the Phoenix 2010 - from WealthTV". It lays out how we compete, both in North America (San Diego and Quebec) and in Europe most commonly. For us it about sportsmanship and chivalry, and we place a high value on horsemanship. Nearly all the riders are accomplished enough that they stay on their horses. Unhorsings are rare. We ride well.

[JBMontgomery87]

@historicent Not sure where to look for the video comment you mentioned, but will definitely check out that tournament video and get back to you; cheers!

[rgrggfdgfgr]

Thumbs up if you think this should be an Olympic sport.

[MrMeineNamen]

i dont think people realize how long this tradition has lasted

[xxTeutonicKnightxx]

@thestarsandbars Dude this use to be a official sport in the USA until 1910! WTF!

They saw it as a Inhuman sport so they bend it as a official sport in the US in 1910. Funny we have football and MMA now a days. Brig back JOUSTING! Hell, make it as a Olympic sport too!

[pendulousphallus]

I gotta get me to a Renaissance fair.

[Nunfluff]

Is this full contact? or a show?.. if its full contact and a real sport, Brilliant! I would defiently watch this

[historicent]

@Nunfluff ALL jousting is "full contact". There's no such thing as "partial contact" in jousting. At this joust, I hit a guy so hard I broke my thumb from the recoil. Trust me, it's definitely "full contact", though I hate that term because it's plain bullshit, and way over-used. Saying jousting is "full contact" is redundant. Jousting by its nature is "full contact".

[Nunfluff]

@historicent Bad choice of words on my part, I meant to say is it staged.. or is it a real competative sport, for example Wresting or Boxing.

[historicent]

@Nunfluff It's not staged. Each hour-long session at this was a "mini-competition". The Tournaments we hold, like the Tournament of the Phoenix, and the Tournois du Lys d'Argent are both full-on competitive tournaments, with each person accruing points throughout the weekend, with a winner at the end. Nothing staged, nothing choreographed. Jousting, foot combat with Pollaxes and club tourney (melee). It's grueling and very real.

[cerkuenik]

aren´t sallets too dangerous for jousts?

[historicent]

@cerkuenik Sallets with separate bevors are generally risky in jousting. In WorldJoust tournaments, we occasionally allow a sallet if it has a -connected- bevor, like on a close helm. Where there's no possibility of a large gap opening between the visor bottom and the bevor. We DO NOT allow separate sallet and bevor. Historically, sallets were not used in the joust, only on the battlefield.

[xxTeutonicKnightxx]

@historicent But I seen historic pics of Knights with Sallets in Jousting Tournaments. (With a bevor too)

[historicent]

@xxTeutonicKnightxx You probably are thinking of "judicial duels", which are not "tournaments". They were combat to the death, to settle a dispute. Very different than a tournament. They used war armour, and yes sallets with bevors are seen in illustrations of judicial duels from the 15th century. Just not in proper Tournaments, which by the time of the sallet was done for renown, not bloodshed.

[l0udcheese]

@historicent what are the best horses for jousting? i would like to know for i wish to learn to joust myself

[historicent]

@l0udcheese- We prefer average sized horses, but somewhat heavily built, like draft crosses. In England, Dales cobs and heavy-ish hunters are used, as well as gypsy cobs, even friesian-cob crosses. Strength, level head, quickness, nimbleness, athleticism and smooth canter are all desirable traits in jousting horses. Type is more important than breed.

[DJBelbe]

coooooooooooooool!!! =D

[brieman2]

im not into this but this is prety cool and fun looking.

They should make it more official and a bit less corney but more intense idk

like i said i never saw this b4 but in cartoons

[cerkuenik]

@brieman2 they have to work to live, they arent nobles supported by the kingdom, it couldnt be more intense lol

[printz150]

0:22 What does the voice-over say? It sounds like Lessay-Holay or like that...

[Dogote82]

after seeing the Terry Jones Medieval Lives documentary.... i cant enjoy it anymore :(

[GhostX1200]

I was told by leeds armouries (who apparently teach jousting) that i wasnt allowed to learn because i didnt have 3 years riding experience......anyone know of anywhere that does teach people from scratch? Although i have ridden before and did pretty well at it.

[historicent]

@GhostX1200 ----You can learn to ride at many livery yards around England. Just look in the countryside in your area. Anywhere there are horses you'll find a yard and they can point you to an instructor. Polo grounds are another place to find a connection. Look at Pony Club too. It's for kids, but they can make recommendations for adult instructors.

The RA Leeds doesn't teach outsiders to joust, but look up historicequitationo(dot)com. My friend Dominic Sewell teaches in Peterborough.

[GriffinHistorical]

Would recomend Dominic Sewell Equitation in Peterborough or Nick Willis at Tournament Stud near Silverstone.

As for how long it takes, its attitude, application and aptitude, not amount of experience, although that can help. I know riders of many years who can't joust and some who have picked it up to a level they can compete at in less than a year. Its like any other activity that combines physical and mental skills.

Of course if you ask 5 horse people their opinions you get 10 answers....

[oOramonaOo]

@GhostX1200

the knights of middle england

[monsterzeroJr]

In most medieval battles, the application of heavy cavalry was anything but chivalrous. The cavalry regiments were kept in reserve until the opposing army panicked and ran. The heavy knights were then used to ride down the fleeing infantry. On the other hand, when two knights armed with lances charged one another, there was a very good chance both would get impaled at the point of impact. Trading a knight for a knight was not a very good deal, but massacring stupid peasantry was better.

[chopin65]

Boring! That's not real jousting. LOL.

[historicent]

Homecountry-- You can email me about jousting at info(at)knightschool(dot)com or info(at)worldjoust(dot)com.

As Griff says, we teach jousting and organize tournaments here in the USA. Please click on my identity "Historicent" to see our "channel page" and read what I've put up about our work.

[GriffinHistorical]

Well Home county talk to Historic Enterprises as they are at the forefront of the sport in the US. They organise shows over there and can put you in touch with like minded people. They even run very popular Knight Schools where you can learn to do it yourself for real.

[Homecountry]

idk but jousting just seems really cool, i wish it was more popular here in the us.

[GriffinHistorical]

We will be repeating this show with riders from three different countries at Hampton Court Palace the last weekend in May 2010. Three shows a day Sat-Mon inclusive

[GriffinHistorical]

pretty sure the commentry is both Rob and me. We may be fake in many areas, but our accents are not one of them.

[threemustangs]

I wish I could have been there!!!

[XVLaHireXV]

lovely!!!!!

[GriffinHistorical]

wbroz- The client wanted a recreation of an event that happened with as much medieval flavour as possible.

Yes we do have jousts where the knights are themselves and there is no pretence to acting as a medieval person (visit The Royal Armouries for example) but most sites want it to have a feel for the times. They are paying the bills of course.

If any large company wants to sponsor a proper 'world championships' with heats, etc and a grand finale at a suitable site then step forwards!

[GriffinHistorical]

funwithcolours- don't make me laugh. That's real armour, not string mail and tinfoil, wooden lances not plastic drainpipe.

The idea of jousting is to break wooden lances on each other, not do trick riding and stunt falls although we do get unplanned dismounts due to good blows. At no point will you see a knight preparing to fall or using quick release stirups, fall pits etc. The Winship's shows are great family entertainment and fun with a medieval flavour but proper jousting its not.

[funwithcolours]

Look for Winships if you want better technical jousting and falls. This blows

[wbroz]

wats with the lame commentary? acting like this is medievil is lame, if their gonna hold these jousting events it should be full contact and taken very seriously as a combat sport

[willaumep]

Well, before passing dubious comments, why dont joust me or any of the guys present at that event.

We will soon find out how martial you are.

[RenaissanceOtaku]

That's because it IS medieval!

[smokey23quickz]

what happend to the old jousting striking them with the lance

[historicent]

It's there...perhaps you missed it?? Please view our other videos and Part 2 of this Jousting at the Tower of London. We do jousting the "Old Fasioned Way", striking with the lance with the aim to break it on our opponent's shield.

[SuperSylar1]

@historicent I think what he means is the traditional heavy OAK lances, the ones that could kill a man without good padding and armor. But I'm sure what you guys are doing here is just demonstration and not the real thing

[historicent]

@SuperSylar1 It's very much "real". I broke my thumb doing this joust earlier in the day this video was shot. Don't tell me it's not "real". It's as real as it gets. If nobody gets unhorsed, it's because they can bloody well -ride-, not just take a hit and fall off, like so many other "jousters".

[TheMedievalwarrior]

they are striking each-other with there lances

[GonzalesPaco1980]

The announcer. Is he faking his English accent? he sounds like an American and it shows.

[historicent]

Nope, he's Rob Martin, originally from Birmingham England, I believe. He's definitely English...very English. He is putting on a bit of a posh accent for the event though. ;-)

[boutet01]

Where is that event ?

[historicent]

Perhaps you missed the video TITLE:

"Jousting: Tournament at the Tower pt 1, London England 2007"

Soooooo........that would put it at the Tower, in LONDON, ENGLAND..........

[thedukeofantioch]

i wish it was televised and had proper sponsorship.

[FrisianDude]

@thedukeofantioch I wish I was in it. :P

[cerkuenik]

@thedukeofantioch imagine a armour made by reebok or samsung..lol

[HMAwill]

Ballsy bastards!

[clatonic]

the medieval joustings seem to have alot more sturdy wood that splintered when it hit and i know its not the same but these ones seem to bend more than break

[historicent]

These do really break, honest. No bending here. Historically, 15th century lances were slimmer than later 16th century lances, but they still break well. I jousted in this event and again this year as well, and I've jousted with these lances for 6 years. They break fine. -Jeffrey

[DuttyGyal718]

and alot more blood too. Ouch for blood sports!

[whasmyname]

what is the difference between the jousting today and the jousting in medieval times, wasn't their lances a bit bigger before?

[historicent]

This is a recreation of a 1467 joust, and at that time the lances were about the same thickness and length. In the 16th century, lances were sometimes thicker, depending on the style of joust and the rules for each particular tournament. Each and every tournament basically had its own rules and no two were every exactly the same.

[historicent]

These lances are about right for a joust of 1467, which is what's being recreated here. In the 16th century, lances were sometimes bigger, but each tournament had its own particular rules so things weren't always consistent.

[cBaOc13]

If their lances are the same length, how come they don't hit each other at the same time and simultaneously get smashed?

[superlukie17]

they aim

[historicent]

You're probably seeing the solid part of the lance hit. There's a 3' long replaceable tip, then 7.5' of solid lance. Sometimes only one rider hits with the solid part and the other doesn't.

[KnightsOfArmour]

I english ride and I love to watch professional jousters. This is great!!1

[lakeguy929]

Of course, so much better than we do here in the States.

[historicent]

Well, we don't have a Tower of London, now do we?

Actually, we're trying to get high quality -historical- jousting going here in the States with our two events: the World Invitational Joust and the American Sword of Chivalry Tournament.

See our other videos on YouTube or do searches. You'll find the same 15th c jousting with several of the same people who do the best jousting in the UK. Mark Griffin who organized the Tower joust is our commentator too.

Check out our channel!

[historicent]

First, learn to ride, or if you ride already, get to be very skilled and confident. Then get some reasonably good armour and learn to ride in it. After that it's who you know and where you live. If you meet people while you train you can probably have a jousting opportunity when you're ready to actually joust, or a bit after. There's actually a lot more to it, but it's essentially something that you have to devote yourself too as it's so involved it must really be your only hobby.

[MarkSeptim]

How can a person be a jouster?

[su27forserbia]

woooow men awesome!!!

[2ramonsalazar2]

i wanna go 2 london in UK

[ray3745]

i would so wanna do that

[lakotadak]

i whis i can ride

[historicent]

We were all professional jousters portraying historical characters from 1471, English and Burgundians. I was one of them, portraying George, Duke of Clarence, brother to Edward IV and Richard of Gloucester (later Richard III).  --Jeffrey Hedgecock.

[Bloodgod40]

Are they actual knights (as in tapped on the shoulders by the Queen) or are they just ordinary citizens standing in as "knights" in the modern setting?

[SMChurchill]

@Bloodgod40 In general the latter, there may be a few exceptions but its not something that attention is drawn to over here in the UK (we Brit's tend to play down out accomplishments these days).

[Roman55Legions]

Thats a cool Sallet!

[wolfeargent]

I think that these videos set a good example of what level should be achieved. People should not only watch the knights and strikes, but they should also pay attention to atmosphere and setting. Watch the ground crew to see how well trained crews make it look seamless.