The primary weapon used in the medieval martial sport of jousting is the lance. Jousting evolved from a military exercise into a formalized spectacle, requiring a specialized version of the cavalry weapon. The jousting lance was intentionally modified from its battlefield counterpart to prioritize safety and scoring over lethality. This adaptation transformed the weapon from a tool of war into an “arm of courtesy,” or à plaisance, designed for a controlled, competitive environment.
The Jousting Lance: Design for Sport
The physical characteristics of the jousting lance were engineered to ensure it would break upon impact, which was the main objective for scoring points. These lances were typically constructed from wood, often ash or cypress, and measured between 9 and 14 feet long. The wood was sometimes deliberately hollowed or fluted along the shaft to weaken it, guaranteeing a spectacular shatter upon striking the opponent’s armor or shield.
This design contrasts sharply with the war lance, which was a solid, heavy weapon tipped with a sharp metal point intended to penetrate armor. The sporting lance was a single-use weapon for each pass, where the breaking of the shaft served as a clear sign of a successful hit. The focus shifted from killing the opponent to unhorsing them or demonstrating superior aim and force by fracturing the lance.
The Coronal and Vamplate: Specialized Components
Two specialized metal components refined the jousting lance for the sport: the coronal and the vamplate. The coronal, or coronel, was a blunt, crown-shaped metal cap that replaced the sharp point of a military lance. This tip featured three or more blunted prongs, designed to provide a wider impact surface and prevent the lance from piercing the opponent’s armor.
The coronal was intended to “catch” the opponent’s shield or breastplate, ensuring the lance would not simply glance off. This action transferred enough force to break the shaft or unseat the rider. Near the grip, the vamplate was a large, conical or circular disk attached to the shaft. Its function was purely defensive, acting as a shield to protect the knight’s hand and forearm from the opponent’s incoming lance.
The Technique of the Joust
Wielding the heavy, long lance required a specific technique and supporting armor to manage the forces involved in the charge. The knight held the lance in the “couched” position, meaning the shaft was tucked firmly under the armpit and clamped against the body. This bracing action was essential because it transferred the kinetic energy of the charging horse and rider directly through the lance.
To stabilize the weapon and absorb the shock of impact, the knight’s breastplate was fitted with a protruding bracket known as the lance rest, or arrêt de cuirasse. This rest supported the lance’s weight and prevented the weapon from being driven backward through the knight’s arm upon striking the target. The target area for the couched lance was typically the opponent’s shield or the reinforced left side of their breastplate. The ultimate goal was to break the lance or successfully unhorse the opposing rider.