Challenges

Whether as a friendly competition between two rival lords, or as a hostile challenge between two knights in dispute (see “Personal Challenges”), challenges make for the most interesting of tournaments.

For example, the royal archery tournament depicted in the film The Adventures of Robin Hood was held for the sole purpose of identifying and trapping Robin Hood, well-known as the “finest archer in England.”

It is also a great way to lure an enemy’s finest knights into ambush, or away from something they are protecting. However, such an evil deed is most unsporting and would only be attempted by a black knight.

Fortunately for the plotter, the code of chivalry requires that any charge or challenge be taken up. Since a tournament is another form of combat, and combat is glory, no knight can refuse such a challenge. But that doesn’t mean the knight cannot be prepared, i.e. bring along some friends in case of trouble, put his lands on alert status, etc. Naturally, this assumes he knows or suspects that the challenging knight is up to something.