Knights at Tournament

Like all warrior classes throughout history medieval knights engaged in military games, partly in preparation for war and partly for pure sport. From their often brutal origins in the 10th century to the gaudy pageantry and eventual decline of the 15th and 16th centuries, tournaments were the centre of the knightly life. The image of the armoured and surcoated knight on his caparisoned charger remains the epitome of the chivalric ideal. Christopher Gravett explores the history of the tournament from its chaotic beginnings to its more formal, 'civilised' incarnation, describing the various 'events' and equipment which came into use.

List of contents

Introduction · The 12th and 13th Centuries · The 14th Century · The 15th Century · The 16th Century · The Plates

About the author

Christopher Gravett is a former Senior Curator at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and a recognized authority on the arms, armour and warfare of the medieval world. He has worked as an advisor for numerous TV and film productions, and has written several books, including DK Eyewitness Knight and Castle and more than 20 titles for Osprey.Angus McBride was one of the world's most respected historical illustrators, and contributed to over 100 Osprey titles over several decades.

Summary

Part of Osprey's "Elite Series", this highly illustrated book looks at the history of military tournaments and combat sports in Europe.

Product details

• Authors: Christopher Gravett, Angus McBride
• Assisted by: Angus McBride (Illustration), McBride Angus (Illustration)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 26.03.1988
• EAN: 9780850458367
• ISBN: 978-0-85045-836-7
• No. of pages: 64
• Dimensions: 184 mm x 248 mm x 7 mm
• Weight: 214 g
• Illustrations: 55 b/w; 10 col
• Series: Elite; Elite
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Politics; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; Sociology, Europe, European History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, HISTORY / Military / General, Sociology: customs & traditions, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Customs & Traditions, CE period up to c 1500, Warfare & defence, Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500, Warfare and defence, Cultural studies: customs and traditions, European history: medieval period, middle ages, HISTORY / Europe / Medieval