Popular Sports in the Middle Ages

The era of kings, knights, and ladies of the court was not just about feasts, battles, and dragon slaying. The people in the Middle Ages also loved sports, particularly because this was one of their biggest forms of entertainment. At that time, there were many holidays, and citizens would usually flock to sporting events.

Feudalism was the practice in those days, and if you wanted to gain power and prestige, you had to work your way up the social ladder by being an outstanding soldier. That is why the sports in those times were focused on enhancing the battle skills of the participants. Through winning a competition, a peasant could win the cash prize and his status in the house of his lord would definitely rise. As for a Knight, coming out first in sporting events could increase his property and wealth, and he could aspire to join the higher ranks of the nobility. It is no wonder why Medieval sports were such a popular spectacle.

Tournaments and Jousts were the most famous events, but they were also the most dangerous, sometimes even ending the life of a participant. Jousting requires the competitor to ride a horse while holding a levelled lance as he charges towards his opponent with the goal of unhorsing the other player. In tournaments, there were other weapons used such as swords, battle axes, daggers, and bows and arrows. The armour used at these events was heavily padded and was weighty.

Other popular sports were archery, horseshoes, wrestling, hammer-throwing, and stoolball. There was also colf, the early version of golf which was played by the nobles.