joust

Joust, also called tilting at the joust, is a competitive mounted combat sport in which two armored riders on horseback charge toward each other with long lances. The primary aim is to strike the opponent with the lance and either unseat them or break the lance on the shield or armor. In many forms, scoring is based on the ability to land a clean blow, the degree of control, and whether one or both horses remain under the riders after contact.

Jousting developed in medieval Europe as a formalized extension of cavalry training and a public spectacle at tournaments. It emerged in the 11th to 13th centuries and became highly codified during the late Middle Ages, with standardized distances, heraldry, and rules. The event served as both martial training and aristocratic pageantry, reflecting chivalric ideals.

Riders wear full plate armor or later armor equivalents, and the horses are protected by barding. The lance is typically long and lightweight, designed to bend or break after impact; modern practice often uses fiberglass or other safe materials with padded tips to reduce injury. Shields may be heater or rounded shields; protective gear includes helmets, gauntlets, and breastplates. Training devices such as the quintain are used to develop accuracy and balance.

Today, jousting is performed at medieval festivals and historical reenactments. Competitions are governed by safety standards and sometimes by dedicated associations; participants may be professionals or amateurs. Modern demonstrations emphasize historical costume and choreography, preserving the sport as a cultural heritage rather than a battlefield technique.