When knights were not away at the wars or carrying out some duty for their lord or king, they displayed their skill and bravery in jousting. This was a sort of tournament held in an enclosed field and was extremely popular in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries when such combats were held on feast days or to celebrate marriages, alliances or victories.

The lord who held the tournament sent his messengers to all the castles in the region, notifying them of the event and inviting other knights to take part.

The day of joust began with the celebration of Holy Mass. The knights challenged one another to fight and the combats took place before a large crowd of excited spectators consisting of the judges, fine ladies and gentlemen and rough country folk.