The Jousting Tournaments

The Princely guests of 1475 made sure they brought the necessary jousting and combat equipment with them. Count Palatine Philipp of Amberg brought “wagons full of lances.“ Duke Christoph of Munich brought eight jousting horses with him. Margrave Albrecht of Brandenburg – Ansbach even brought his own master armour maker. The tournaments were, like in other towns of royal residency held in the center of the old town. Here, bride Hedwig, the princesses and the other noblewomen could look down from the windows. Even during their two month journey, the bride and her entourage were entertained by jousting exhibitions and demonstrations. For instance, near Wittenburg, and shortly before entering Landshut. During the wedding week  “combat“ took place almost every day.

The day before the wedding, the bridegroom Duke Georg was said to have jousted, which was, regarding the nature of the sport a great risk indeed. On Wednesday after the Festival church service Heinz von Waldenfels rode against Hans von Trotha, and to follow a “Parsberger“ against Joss von Luchau. On Thursday Duke Albrecht of Munich rode against an “unknown“ and before doing so was escorted onto the field of combat by four Counts, all who wore, like him brown satin.

Two “Landshuters“ fell under their horses during combat and had to be “pulled out.“ The young Count Eberhard von Württemberg was also among the competitors. He and his rivals were said to have “hit well,“ and therefore stay in the saddle.

For centuries unforgotten is the legendary battle between Duke Christoph of Munich and an unknown Polish rider. The unknown rider suggested the winner would recieve a valuable piece of jewelry, which was worth 100 gilders. Both riders mistrusted one another so much that they had each others horses and equipment inspected for hours in case they found evidence of cheating. Sure enough under the Polish rider`s saddle was a broad piece of leather. Enraged over the long arguments and senseless melee, Christoph jumped at the Pole with his horse, knocking him out of his saddle. Seeing this, the squires and knaves were said to have “screamed very loudly“. Despite his victory, Christoph gave the Pole the valuable piece of jewelry and a horse as gifts.

Top