Richard W. Barber

"Tournaments were at the heart of much medieval pageantry...They combined the spectacular with all the excitement of a dangerous skillful sport, and the attendant hero-worship of its stars."

The "tournament" is a result of an evolving cultural exchange throughout the Middle Ages, originally meaning an open battlefield melee of teamed combatants. Starting in the 11th c. in Northern France with the introduction of the "couched" lance, mounted combat was called a "hastilude," whether in unified show more teams or joust.

In the early years, a bloody hastilude could be hosted by any number of lords, foreign or otherwise, on any public land they wished. To control disorder and utilize propaganda, tournaments were eventually royally licensed. Tournaments were banned or encouraged at a whim, with disobedience paid for in title or land. But a battle won, a coronation, or a royal marriage could mean a celebratory tournament. With poets and troubadours singing the praises of victorious knights and their gracious hosts, the tournament became intimately intertwined with chivalry.

The coffee-table size of this book is misleading because it isn't just a broad overview. Gorgeous illustrations accompany a detailed examination of the origin, terminology, and variations of tournaments with examples both famous and obscure. The authors explore the politics behind it all and how economy vs extravagance could make or break a host's reputation. The reader might be surprised to learn that a joust at their local Renaissance Faire or "festival," is quite similar to one in the 15th c. But Barber and Barker also explore the dangers behind the colorful banners. The effectiveness of armour meant life or death for the rider. This chapter in particular was fascinating as each region offers their own designs, alterations and improvements. A beautiful book and an excellent read! show less

This is not as rousing or exiting a history as I'd hoped for given what I thought I knew about the Holy Grail from the third Indiana Jones movie and popular culture in general. But I learned a lot and it certainly educated me as to the true history of the Grail (if you can define as "true history" the story of an imaginary object invented by an author who never even described what the object actually was or what it looked like). If you have any interest in the Grail, this is your book. I am show more very glad I stumbled across this book and I recommend it. show less

This thorough investigation into the "historical" sources for King Arthur was fascinating, mostly because of the kind of detective work needed to interpret and date the sources. I thought when I found it in the library that I'd just skim a bit, but I became thoroughly engrossed. The conclusion, that if there was a historic Arthur, he is not connected to the legends that grew up around his name, is now widely held.

The third and final collection edited by Richard Barber. In this one we have a mix of real and fictional characters - King Harold; Hereward the Wake; Richard the Lionheart; King Horn; Havelock the Dane; Guy of Warwick; Bevis of Hampton; Sir Gawain; Robin Hood; Macbeth and Lady Godiva. As in all these collections some of the tales were familiar to me and others were not - or presented in an unfamiliar fashion.

I did enjoy reading these but I do think that they are for dipping in and out of not show more reading straight through. The Folio edition was a delight to read and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Myths and Legends of Britain. show less