Jousts –

Knights on horseback thundering down the field with lances poised to knock down their opponent.  Tournaments to host such brilliant spectacles were found throughout Europe.  I use jousts in my novels to show my hero’s strength, his prowess.  Imagine the training the knights must have gone through to be ready for a joust!  Horsemanship was a necessity, not to mention where to position the lance for the best strike to unhorse your opponent.  Ladies would tie their favors to the lance of their favorite knight.  But it wasn’t always glory.  Jousting was dangerous.  Splinters from broken lances sometimes pierced armor or eye slits and delivered fatal injuries.  Jousts were exciting for spectators and participants alike.