A short distance from the lists were the galleries and pavilions for the spectators; the most splendid was that fitted up for the lady who presided as queen of the tournament and her attendants, all splendidly attired.  The most noble and most beautiful ladies of the court crowded to these martial entertainments to inspire the combatants with ardour, by giving them some token or favour, such as a scarf, veil, or bracelet, with which the knight adorned his helmet or spear.

Their arms were lances of light wood, without iron at the top; swords without edge or point; in some instances wooden swords were used.  The knights were formed into two parties, and entered the lists by different barriers, riding round the lists several times to pay their respects to their sovereign and the ladies.  At length the heralds sounded to arms; the quadrils, or troop, took their stations; when the charge was sounded, the knights rushed against each other with the utmost impetuosity.  The clashing of swords, the sounding shields, the war-cry of the knights, who shouted the name of their ladye-love in the midst of the mimic strife, greatly excited the spectators, who, in return, cheered and encouraged the combatants.  When the knights were brave and determined, the contest lasted some hours; the vanquished, that is, those who were thrown from their horses, withdrew from the lists as quietly as possible, leaving the field to their successful opponents.  The victory was decided by the number of knights unhorsed.  The prizes to the victors were adjudged and delivered by the queen and the ladies.  This authority of the fair sex contributed greatly to polish the manners of the nobility and gentry of the middle ages, who were anxious to court the favour of those who were the distributors of public honours.

Sometimes this entertainment was followed by jousts.  Two cavaliers, out of gallantry, would break a lance in honour of the ladies.  These were followed by others until the lists were again cleared for the tournament.  The difference between tournaments and jousts was, that the former were in the nature of battles, the latter of duels.

When the sports were over, the heralds and pursuivants declared the names and titles of the knights, and proclaimed the heraldic ornaments which the emperor, king, or prince that presided at the tournament granted to those whom he pleased to reward or favour.

Notwithstanding all the precautions to prevent the mischief that might happen at these martial exercises few were exhibited in which a great number were not wounded, some killed in the melee, others crushed by the falling of the scaffolds, or trod to death by the horses.  Kings, princes, and gallant knights from every part of Europe have perished at different times while attending or taking part in those mimic battles.  Successive popes thundered out their anathemas against all that encouraged this warlike and dangerous amusement.  Those who perished in these sanguinary entertainments