The medieval tournament was a forum for European knights where they could practise and show off their military skills in activities such as jousting or the mêlée, indulge in a bit of pageantry, display their chivalrous qualities and win both riches and glory. From the 10th to 16th century CE tournaments were the principal expression of aristocratic ideals such as chivalry and noble lineage where family arms and honour were put on the line, ladies were wooed and even national pride was at stake.
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Definition
Timeline
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1127A jousting tournament is held in Wurzburg in Germany.
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1167 - 1183Sir William Marshal competes, and remains undefeated, in medieval tournaments.
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1167In a tournament in Le Mans, William Marshal captures several knights for ransom.
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19 Aug 1186Geoffrey, Count of Brittany and son of Henry II of England, dies in an accident at a medieval tournament.
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1278Windsor Castle hosts a great medieval tournament.
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1344Windsor Castle hosts a great medieval tournament involving 200 knights.
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c. 1348Edward III of England creates the Order of the Garter, a chivalric order for knights with its headquarters at Windsor Castle
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1390John de Hastings, Earl of Pembroke, is killed from a groin injury during a jousting tournament.
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Jun 1520The Field of the Cloth of Gold pageant is held just outside Calais for Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France.
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1559Henry II of France is killed in a jousting tournament.
