Dark Ages return to Silves as 10th Medieval Fair sets up

bb1 wrote:That looks like fun, Pedro, though why jousting, of all things, is so popular in the 21st century rather escapes me...

Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two horsemen and using lances, often as part of a tournament. The primary aim is to strike the opponent with the lance while riding towards him at high speed, if possible breaking the lance on the opponent's shield or armour, or unhorsing him.

Jousting emerged in the High Middle Ages based on the military use of the lance by heavy cavalry. It transformed into a specialized sport during the Late Middle Ages, and remained popular with the nobility both in England and Germany throughout the whole of the 16th century (while in France, it was discontinued after the death of king Henry II in an accident in 1559). In England, jousting was the highlight of the Accession Day tilts of Elizabeth I and James I, and also was part of the festivities at the marriage of Charles I.

Jousting was discontinued in favour of other equestrian sports in the 17th century, although non-contact forms of "equestrian skill-at-arms" disciplines survived. There has been a limited revival of jousting reenactment since the 1970s.

bb1 wrote:LL, what do you think the odds are of someone, in the year 2007, getting himself killed in the same manner as Henry II?

Jouster killed in freak accident when shattered lance spears him through the eye during Time team re-enactment

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1351018/Jouster-Paul-Allen-killed-lance-splinter-Time-Team-enactment.html#ixzz2aZO04sC4
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ETA, his widow entered into the spirit of the thing at the inquest....