Etiquette and Traditions of the Joust

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ETIQUETTE AND TRADITIONS OF THE JOUST

 

 

PENNED BY THE HAND OF

THE GRAND PRINCE OF KUSORAEV

AND

ALEKSANDR VAR RUTHERN

On the 6th of Msitza ag Dargund, 440 E.S.

 

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VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG ELDERVIK,

 

The joust has, since time immemorial, stood as a firm tradition, not only amongst the Haeseni people, but for humanity as a whole. Over past decades, however, the strength of this tradition has dwindled among the Haeseni people, and despite most Lords of the Realm having a customary tourney grounds in their lands, it is a rare occurrence to see these used for anything more than sheep-herding. 

 

This pinnacle of honourable gallantry cannot be allowed to become further dilapidated, and as such this document has been formed, to bring forth the joust into a new era, and to firmly create etiquette and traditions around it.

 

This document shall be split into two sections, the first exploring the etiquette surrounding jousts, and the second exploring the etiquette of the joust itself. 

 

ETIQUETTE SURROUNDING THE JOUST

The joust is much more than the tilts themselves, encompassing a large variety of etiquette and traditions that take centre stage, both in the planning and preparation for a joust, as well as before the beginning of the tilts.

 

Frequency

While the authors do lament that jousts have become a rare occurrence, this does not mean that we so do wish for daily jousts. It is most important to note that the joust is a celebration, and should as such be held when there is something to celebrate, such as a wedding, the birth of a child, or an extraordinary event (though it is usually in the hands of individual Lords to decide what is a celebration worthy of a joust). 

 

Heraldry and Armour

It is important to note that those who participate in jousts, despite whichever individual stations they hold, are much more representative of far more than that, particularly representing their family’s honour. It is therefore commonplace that people don armour with their family’s heraldry upon their tabards, a Barclay would wear armour with the Barclay eagle and their blue and green colours. For Knights of a noble house, it would be appropriate to don a tabard bearing family heraldry and something associated with their house, as an example; Ser Franz “the Oracle'' bore a three-eyed golden crow, in lieu with his Barbanov heritage as a Prince. This is similarly appropriate for those holding other stations, such as a member of the Aulic Council, who could bear their family heraldry along with their symbolic Bulavas; Ser Matyas Baruch, our current Aulic Envoy, could as such don the bear of House Baruch wielding the Ivory Bulava.

 

Generally, a degree of individual flair to the usual family tabards is also appropriate, especially for later children than the firstborn, and for those especially regarded for a particular thing, as this allows members of the same family to be easily differentiated between upon the lists.

 

Additionally, it is common that helmets are customised to fit appropriately with the family, usually in the form of plumes donning the family colours. Though there are some who have specifically smithed helmets, usually in the form of their family’s associated animal, such as a Kortrevich using a helmet in the shape of a bull.

 

Greetings

At tournaments of the joust, there are customary greetings that must be offered by the participating riders. The first happens at the beginning of the tournament, where all of the participating riders must line up in front of the host, individually riding forward to bow before him, and greet him by the appropriate title, such as “Herzen Ruthern”, if the host is the Duke of Vidaus. Additionally, if the King is in attendance as a spectator, he must be greeted before they can greet the hosting lord.

 

The second greeting is offered before the beginning of every tilt, before it the two riders must line up in front of the hosting lord, and bow before them. It is not necessary here that they verbally address the host. Thereafter, they must greet each other with a bow, before the tilt can begin.

 

Favours

Adhering to the gallantry and chivalry of the joust, notions of love during such a spectacle are most common. The prime example, however, is the bestowal of favours; a participating rider may request the favour of a spectator to grant them good fortunes for the rest of the tournament. Usually riders would request a favour from a spectator’s who’s beauty they admire or are romantically interested in. It would be considered taboo for a married rider to beg for the favour of someone who is not their spouse, or for a rider to request the favour of another’s spouse, as this may lead to suspicions of scandal, though it is not strictly outlawed.

 

The favour most commonly materialises in the form of a wreath which the bestower places upon the rider’s lance, those who have their eyes on a particular rider would usually craft theirs by hand, placing great attention to the details of it in the hopes that their favour be requested of those they desired. Though, there are usually also peddlers selling wreaths for those who come unprepared.

 

Prizes

The prizes granted to the victor of a joust are mostly left to the hands of the host and are usually based on what is appropriate for the celebration which the joust is tied to, though it would be most insulting to hold a joust with no prize offered for the victor. It is commonplace that a money prize be awarded to tournament victors, though it is also common that they are given items or honorifics. Similarly, if the winning rider had previously been bestowed the favour of a spectator, the bestower would usually receive some sort of honorific, symbolic of their part in the rider’s victory.

 

ETIQUETTE OF THE JOUST

Custom demands strict procedure be followed in the lists, so as to maintain both favour with the hosts and honour on the field. Though there are many ways to bring a man down from his horse, one must be sure to do so with the honour expected of the great knights of the realm.

Arms
In a joust all riders are of course expected to make use of hollowed lances, so as to maintain the spirit of celebration when they shatter. Oft such tourney lances might be fitted with a flattened head; or coronel. Thus, they avoid inflicting upon their fellows any serious wounds. They should, as when dismounted, also wield blunted arms and thickened shields emblazoned with their own noble coat of arms, or else those of their family.

 

Contest

Once the customary greetings are exchanged before its commencement, each tilt shall begin only when called by its announcer, who may often be the tourney’s host or one herald in their employ. Customarily the first should begin with a countdown, where in any that follow each rider is expected simply to turn on the lists as they reach its edge and ride back to meet again in turn.

 

Oft times in a tilt there shall be a strike lands true that does not unhorse its rider. In such a case it is usual that the shattered lance should be discarded and replaced with another. Should either competitor break three lances against his fellow without dismounting him, it shall be expected that the joust be called to an end. The winner ought then to be decided by the number of points each has attained. 

 

One point shall be freely awarded for each lance broken in a legal strike that does not dislodge its target. Of course in such a contest of arms not every target is to be applauded. Aiming particularly at the opponent’s mount might often result in expulsion and hefty fines. It is most harshly frowned upon to target an opponent above the shoulders; where doing so might cause most grievous injury. Should one happen to survive such an underhanded tactic, it would not be uncommon for them to seek recourse through legal means, duelling, or else by a challenge of arms in the lists.

 

Challenges

Should a rider find himself dismounted and believes the contest dishonourable or the judge’s decision unfair, he is well within his right to request a continuation of the tilt as a contest of his arms. In such a contest both competitors should set aside their horse and lance, instead relying on blunted weapons and strength of arms. 

 

These noble contests are fought to yield, most commonly announced by the raising of one’s visor - or removal of their helmet if able. Else, they may simply choose to toss their weapons aside and exclaim such. Though injury is often common in these bouts, to be seen to be intent on inflicting it is of great dishonour. Such a trial of battle is final and to request another rematch would be terribly insulting to the hosts, as it would be to challenge each opponent without good reason.

 

It is usually the choice of the host whether a challenge shall mean progression in the tournament for the victor, as their purpose is predominantly the restoration of honour.

 

PARTING WORDS

So heed these words, dear reader, go into the world, joust, and be merry and gallant, bring upon this age old tradition the chivalry of which it is worthy. With every step that we take to honour such honourable contests as the joust, we take a step to preserve, maintain, and create culture of our lands.

 

We do kindly beg that all those who wish to host jousts in the future take our words into consideration, and ensure and promote the proper tradition and etiquette for these celebrations.

 

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Damar liftsi va Edlerviki,

His Serene Highness, Georg Sigismund, the Grand Prince of Kusoraev.

 

His Lordship, Aleksandr var Ruthern.

[sarahbarah 5015]

One Viorica Barrow pondered if she might be asked for a favour at the upcoming joust in Vidaus!

[Nolan_ 4219]

Rhys was proud of his grandson to make a change from the usual.

[outcook 724]

Donny von Draco seriously considers participating in the next jousting event...

[MisterBlitzkrieg 1357]

"I wonder if I can gain the favour of any married women." Björn thought to himself as he read the missive and document on how one should joust honorably and fairly