The Jousting Tournament

[Elinor Dantés]

Jousting is a sport, commonly entertains those of high rank (also know as the Monarch, Royals and the Rich). It consists of martial or warlike competition between two people on horseback using a variety of weapons. Many Knights made their fortune through this sport, some lost their fortune or even their lives. Knights were generally those daring enough, and of royal blood. No common peasants were permitted into these games.

These jousts permitted a man to display his skills, before his King and perhaps many Ladies to gain their attention. These skills used for jousting were also used in combat. During mounted combat knights would charge at their enemies with weapons to try to kill or disable them. The primary use of the jousting lance was to unhorse the other by striking them with the end of the lance while riding towards them at high speed (also known as tilting).

It happened that the tournaments had begun and many nobles had arrived in town to witness the marvellous display of talent. It was also a handy entertainment to become more acquaint with others, and catch up on gossip. It happened that Elinor also attended such events, although she found them quite un-bearable. If she was lucky, her Lady would excuse her and therefore she would not have to attend. However, this day turned out to be quite un-favourable and Elinor was bidden by her Lady to attend the days entertainment.

Elinor’s Lady had become ill and was un-able to attend and requested that Elinor attend and then recount of the happenings of the day. Being a highly obedient mistress, Elinor attended against her heart telling her otherwise. She dressed in a comfortable velvet gown, fit enough for sitting for quite a period of time and allowed her hair to roam around her head freely. She arrived at the tournament with enough time to watch the Knight’s Parade upon their beautiful chargers. Elinor’s horse was a charger, built for war but it had turned out he had not favoured men and was given to her Lady, whom thought the animal was hideous and handed him over to Elinor.

Elinor stood at a rail, and rather then let her eyes fall into the enchantment of perhaps quite handsome knights, allowed them to be enchanted by the horses instead. A weakness she supposed.

[Edward I]

Edward loved jousting tournaments. It showed order prevailed and that the Lords ruled the commoners. He really visited to go and find young knights worthy enough to have command of troops in his army. He needed some kind of release after doing nothing but administrate work. There had not been a battle in months and his wife after giving birth to his son had closed her door in him, refusing to let him anywhere near her. As he entered the tournament ground he put on a cloak, he wanted to know what the nobles where saying about him so he was going in under cover as he rode in he saw a young boy staring wide eyed up at him, who suddenly went down onto one knee. So much for under cover as more and more people started to turn and bow, curtsey or kneel he became increasingly more irritated. He nodded at the them and turned his mount to a far end of the arena when he saw a stunning young women on a charger, she seemed to be engrossed in the knights and he rode towards her as no man would dare interrupt the king in a conversation as he came up behind her he said "Which one takes your fancy? Man or Horse? By the look of those knights I'd say horse I've seen better looking Scotsmen than him" He smiled putting on his charming face, he did love the young girls, what else is there in a 45 year old mans life?

[Elinor Dantés]

Elinor’s steed shifted a little, becoming cantankerous from standing still. He was quite a boisterous horse, but he had a good nature and would not let his rider fall. Elinor placed a hand upon the chestnut charger’s neck to soothe him and she uttered a few sweet words, lifting her brow to watch a Knight upon a black steed canter past with an amused look upon his face. She rolled her eyes, and sighed. This was cruel.

She noticed her horse’s ears had changed in direction to where her voice had came from, and her head turned quickly to see the King, and she was upon a horse. Her blood began to run cold and she trembled slightly. The horse beneath her stepped backwards sensing this. Elinor settled in her seat quickly, regaining a comfortable seat and calming herself. She smiled at the King and tilted her head in a courteous manner.

Then he addressed her, his coming up beside hers. She placed a placid smile upon her face, and looked back at the crowd of Knight’s, “Well My Lord, you have caught me off guard and have indeed graced me with your knowledge. For it was the horses I was admiring.”

She had been trained in manners and elegance requited of court ladies. A gush of wind blew a few strands of hair into her face, and her hand quickly trailed up to rid them of distraction. She looked at the King for a moment, from the corner of her eyes. It had been quite some time since she had been in his company and even then she had never spoken to him.

[Edward I]

He smiled at her very neutral answer he almost enjoyed having the kind of conversation when they were trying not to participate, they almost cringed at every question. It seems that his reputation preceded him everywhere and that was sometimes a little annoying. "Tell me what is an elegant young noble women such as yourself doing unattended are you a fiancé of one of these Knights? I hope not, by the look of it I would say you are a Lady in waiting or the daughter of some noble, yet I know all the young pretty nobles daughters here. And trust me there are not many of them. Which brings me back to my first question what are you doing out unchaperoned? I think I must look after you as it is my duty as a gentlemen to do so." He gave her a cheeky grin and waited for her reply as the first two knights prepared for the first round of the day.

[Elinor Dantés]

Elinor did not glance at the King for a moment, fearing that she would tremble. It was intimidating to know that this was her first time truly in conversation with the King, even as a nobles daughter. Of course, she had been within his presence when she had first joined the Ladies Court, yet still she had never joined him in conversation. Her horse stomped his foot in egotism, Elinor reacted by placing a hand on his shoulder and calming him down. She knew he’d been trained for jousting, but she would never have allowed him enter such a thing.

She kept her warm smile upon her face, as she watched the Knights slowly place themselves in their positions, with their squires checking over every possible piece of equipment the Knight must carry into the game. The King seemed to be quite fond of company, and did not appear whatsoever displaced by her lower status, “My Lord, I am not betrothed to any man I know of. As towards marriage, I daresay my Lady would not allow it as she is to fond of my company and could not bare to loose me to a man,” she smiled easily. She felt herself relaxing, and turned to look at the King, “As towards myself being out here…alone… Well Sir, My Lady is ill and had intended to attend the tournament today. She is quite fond of such games, and due to her illness has been told to stay in bed. She wishes for me to up-date her on the passing’s of the tournament.”

She turned at the flicker of a white flag being held, this signalled that the tournament would soon begin, “I thankyou for your offer towards looking after me. Though, I do assure you that I am quite out of harms way and I do not tend to create any mischief. Therefore if you have kingly duties that must be graced with your presence, pray do not allow me to keep you.”