Knight Life

This posting covers life in a medieval camp and two shows we saw in Rocamadour: schooling for knights, and the fantasy story of "Durandal", a magical sword.

 

The costuming was authentic and incredibly detailed.

In the camp, you can be punished for an infraction, like stealing bread.  "To the pillory for your punishment and humiliation!"

The blacksmith is making some decorative medallions.

He's a travelling blacksmith and that's his wagon on the right where he carries all his equipment.

Medallions made of copper, zinc and tin.



 

The animals found in camp, such as goats and horses.

 



A display of armour used by knights.  The guide explained in detail the benefits of chain maille, helmets with nose protection, helmets with flared rims, etc.  Much depended on the cost associated with each item and how much one could afford to pay.  Blessed is the knight sponsored by his Seigneur!

 

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In this make-believe story, Charlemagne needs to find the bravest and most accomplished knights, so he declares that there will be a tournament to determine who is the best and who will join him in battle.

The tournament takes the form of individual combat between armoured knights, mounted or on foot, using lances, swords, axes and maces. Riding skills, archery and hand to hand battle are assessed.

 

During this colourful public event, knights fight to enhance their martial reputation.  The melee provides the audience with the spectacle of many knights involved in mass trials by combat.

The twist: the blacksmith forges a sword which he claims to have magical powers.  Charlemagne bestows knighthood on him and declares that the winner of the tournament will win the sword, named Durandal!

Charlemagne's nephew, Rolland, is not the best knight and is more interested in how he looks, how his hair flows in the wind when he rides, and how his tunic drapes.  But being related to Charlemagne has its privileges!  (Perhaps you have grasped by now that this is a comedic act.)  It is predetermined that he will win.

 

After aiming at targets at full gallop, the "trained knights" will go on to the next level and joust.  But there are still more trials before that final test.

Pick up rings with your jousting stick, or spear a target while riding at full gallop.  

The "quintain" (jousting) includes a number of lance games, often used as training.  Attempts to strike an object with lance, sword or other weapon are various levels of training. The common object is often a shield or board on a pole (usually referred to, confusingly as "the quintain"), although a mannequin is sometimes used.  In this instance, it's a leather pouch filled with sand.

Press the Play button to watch a sword fight.  (You must be in the original - the browser - to see this clip.)

Charlemagne has a beautiful horse.  He is also the one who will declare the tourney winner.

 

 

There is more at stake than who will ride with Charlemagne or who will win the magical sword.  The beautiful daughter will marry the winner!

 

Acrobatics on galloping horses.  Very athletic display.

 

 The jousting begins.

No one likes the winner, dressed in black  The crowd boos. 

 



Will our white knight not try one more time to win the damsel?

The blacksmith tries to hide, knowing that the sword is not magical.  He carries his weapon of choice: a heavy fry pan often used by his wife, "La Berthe".



 

 

Treachery is afoot.

 Many die...

 

All's well that ends well.

 

 

The end

 

It was a fun show that made many references to historical facts and current affairs, but all jumbled in a creative way.  I loved that they mentioned Puy du Fou, one of our favourite places to visit in France!

 

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