Osprey Trade Editions : 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 at the end of the medieval period, tournaments were the centre of the knightly life. The image of the armoured and surcoated knight on his 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. Illustrations by Angus McBride.

Contents

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