Tournaments

Tournaments are vast tests of military kill, utilised by Bretonnians for a variety of purposes.

Overview
Bretonnian knights like nothing better than a tournament, ecept perhaps a just and righteous war. There are many tournaments held annually in Bretonnia, The greatest of these are the royal tournaments held at Couronne twice or four times a year to mark the opening of a new season. Then there are the tournaments held by the various Dukes, and countless local tournaments held by Barons. It is possible for a knight to roam the kingdom entering one tournament after another and if successful, being followed by a baggage train of prizes such as armour, treasure and warhorses (not to mention admirers, minstrels singing his praises and would-be grooms and Squires hoping for a placement in his retinue).

Tournaments are often held in order to find a Knight worthy to wed the daughter of a Duke or Baron, or even the King of Bretonnia. Thus, winning a tournament can be made the errand of knighthood for many Knights Errant who care to take part. If the tournament prize is not a lady's hand or a domain and castle it may be a magic weapon or a special honour.

The highlight of a tournament, which lasts several days and includes much feasting, hunting and carousing, is of course the jousts. Pairs of contenders challenge each other and fight on the jousting field. It is the custom to use blunted lances unless the joust is a trial by combat, or the rivalry between contenders is particularly bitter. Even so, wounds inflicted by being unhorsed can still be severe or even fatal. Sometimes retinues of Knights joust together in groups, giving a spectacle resembling a small battle. This provides excellent training for the knights and keeps them at the peak of fighting fitness.

it is common custom for young and lusty Knights Errant to ride around the spectator stands asking ladies for their favours. These. of course, are not favours of the magical kind. The ladies attach various items of their apparel to the knight's lance, the more a knight's manly bearing and brave manner delights a lady, the more intamite the item of clothing she is moved to present him. If he wins his round of combat, the knight may find himself honour bound to wed the lady.