The Jousting Life

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Gifts for Jousters and Others Interested in Jousting/Medieval & Renaissance History

The Jousting Life now has its own online shoppe!

Well, actually it's simply a personalized Amazon.com store, but it is filled with items that would make good gifts for jousters and fans of jousting, including books, videos and toys. A small percentage of the cost of items purchased through the The Jousting Life Shoppe (or through the main Amazon.com store if you link through from a TJL site) will be paid to TJL in commission. It does NOT cost you anything extra, you will still pay the same price you would normally.

The Jousting Life has grown big enough and popular enough that it exceeds the memory and bandwidth that hosting sites like Blogger and PhotoBucket allow you to use for free. I have been paying for hosting for almost a year now, and I have been trying to find a way to earn some money to help cover the expenses of keeping the website going. I am not asking you to buy anything that you would not normally buy. I am simply asking that if you buy items through Amazon.com that you purchase them through either the TJL Shoppe, the links provided here (and throughout the text) or the Amazon search widget on the sidebar, so that The Jousting Life can earn a small commission.

Below are listed some of the more interesting items that are for sale in the shoppe:

Did you know that there is a fifteenth century manual on the art of warfare written by a woman? The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry by Christine De Pizan was written around 1410. Though many people believed that Christine was merely copying from earlier manuals, translator Sumner Willard and editor Charity Cannon Willard show that much of the text is original to Christine. The manual not only includes a great deal of information about the strategy, tactics and technology of medieval warfare, it is also one of the most important sources of information about early gunpowder weaponry.



Other books in the non-fiction section of the store include: recent translations of classic texts such as The Book of the Order of Chivalry, written by Ramon Llul between 1274 and 1276 and newly translated by Dr. Noel Fallows for this 2013 publication. New editions of previously translated medieval texts such as Dom Duarte's Livro da Ensinança de Bem Cavalgar Toda Sela(The Art of Riding on Every Saddle). Books that include both original analysis of historic texts as well as facsimiles and translations of the those texts, such as Dr. Noel Fallow's seminal work Jousting in Medieval and Renaissance Iberia. And books with modern academic analysis of knights and chivalry, such as Knight: The Warrior and World of Chivalry by Dr. Robert Jones.

The Letters, Memoirs & Essays sub-section of the non-fiction section includes historical texts, which, while not related to jousting, still provide insights into the everyday life of individuals who lived in medieval and renaissance Europe. A surprising number of them are written by women, including The Selected Writings of Christine de Pizan(who wrote more than military manuals), Selected Letters of Alessandra Strozzi, who lived in fifteenth century Florence; and The Memoirs of Helene Kottanner (1439-1440), who was the servant and confidante of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary. Kottaner's memoirs include detailed accounts of her participation in the theft of the holy crown of St Stephen from the treasury of the royal stronghold Visegrad. There is also a wonderfully illustrated version of The Travels of Marco Polo. Use Amazon's "Look inside" app to take a peek.

Then there is the section of Fun & Easy Books, which includes books that provide easy to read introductory information for younger readers or for those with a less intense interest in jousting, such as Knights at Tournament which is part of the Osprey series of military history books. Other Osprey books such as Tudor Knight were illustrated by former jouster Graham Turner. This section also includes coloring books, books of paper dolls with medieval and renaissance clothing, and, of course, sticker books. The Ultimate Sticker Book: Castle and Knight includes over 60 full color stickers, some of which glow in the dark.

The fiction section includes mostly historic fiction that jousters and other nobles might have read or listened to during their own lifetimes, with a few contemporary novels that involve jousting and/or knights thrown in. Hard Day's Knight is about a fictional contemporary jousting competition, while The Greatest Knight is historical fiction based on the life of William Marshal. This section also includes books of plays, poems and song lyrics from the medieval and renaissance time period. Medieval English Lyrics and Carols includes not only poems with romantic, moral and penitential themes; but also poems of wit, humor and sexual innuendo; drinking and dancing songs; ballads and satires. There is also an extensive introduction and comprehensive commentary.

The movies, tv & videos section includes the modern movies and tv shows that you would expect from A Knight's Tale to Knights of Mayhem, as well as classic movies such as Ivanhoe and The Three Musketeers. It also includes educational and instructional videos such as Going Medieval which features the original jousting curator Toby Capwell, and Medieval Fight Book which was inspired by Hans Talhoffer's fifteenth century manual.





The toys, puzzles and games section includes jousting and medieval themed items for every age from toddlers to adults. There are puzzles that vary from the 200 piece "World of the Knights" to the 890 piece 3-D version of Neuschwanstein Castle. There are a couple of rubber stamps(including one of Bodiam Castle), and a variety of toy castles, some of which fold, others are made out of building blocks and some are big enough to play in. And of course, there are lots of toy knights. There are even a couple of video games. I was unable to include the Rival Knights game in the TJL store, probably because it is available for FREE!

Within the toy section, there are sub-sections for 'toy swords and shields'(there are separate sections for combat training swords and LARP swords), 'Playmobil knight toys'(for younger children) and the more detailed 'Schleich knight figurines'(which are suitable for both older children and adults). Playmobil makes the 40th Anniversary Knight's Tournament set(which includes a quintain and fully loaded weapons rack), and Schleich makes the Tournament Knights Scenery pack(which includes two knights on horses and a wooden tilt).



The party and cooking supplies section includes cookware and serveware for a joust/medieval themed party. There are cake pans in the shape of castles, cookie cutters to create horses and riders that can stand on their own, and candy molds to create chocolate horses. There is a cupcake making set with medieval themed paper cups and knight toppers. There are paper plates with scenes of knights jousting. There are medieval themed napkins, cups and gift bags. And both inexpensive plastic and fancy brass goblets are available. There is even a very elaborate cardboard castle centerpiece complete with knights and men at arms.

And then, of course, there is the gifts section. Though many of the items in other sections would make excellent gifts, these items are particularly gift-worthy. One of the cutest items is a pair of solid pewter jousting knight cufflinks. There are also several knight charms for bracelets or necklaces. Something a bit more practical for jousters and history lovers who read lots of books are the several sets of medieval themed bookends. Other gift ideas include both small inexpensive pewter figurines of knights and larger cast bronze figures. There are several posters along with the requisite t-shirts, mugs and hanging ornaments.

Finally, there are the items which simply don't fit into any other sections – the miscellaneous items. Some of these items are weirdly adorable, like the Arthur boiled egg cup holder in the shape of a knight holding a functional spoon. There are also pet costumes that make it look like a knight is riding your dog. There is a lunchbox and other school supplies that feature the image of a jousting knight. There are license plate frames that state,"I'd rather be jousting" in black, silver and PINK! There are a variety of wall-mounted sword holders. And a few other jousting/knight related items.

More items and categories of items will be added when they are found, suggested or become available. If you have any suggestions, feel free to email TJL.

Whether you are buying for yourself or for someone else, I would very much appreciate it if you would purchase your Amazon.com items through either The Jousting Life Shoppe or after linking through to Amazon.com from a TJL site.

Thank you for your support!



Friday, November 21, 2014

A Few Yards of Scarlet Velvet

Steve R. Gagnon is an internationally competitive jouster based out of Montreal, Canada, where he lives on a small ranch and trains horses and riders for historical jousting. He first began jousting in the year 2000 in Québec, Canada, where he helped to pioneer the development of the sport in that area. He began jousting internationally in 2009, and has since competed in Belgium, France, Poland, England, USA and, of course, his home country of Canada.

He has worked as a creator and organizer of medieval festivals for nine years, and in 2010, he organized the first Lys d'Argent International Jousting Tournament, which included both a sport and a historical division.  In 2012, he won the Lys d'Argent tournament with his teammates Marc Hamel and Patrice Rolland. However, he considers his best achievement to have been winning the jousting competition during the Tournament of King John III at Gniew Castle in 2013 against 11 of the world's most renowned jousters.

Steve works as an art and creative director in the advertising industry. In rare moments of spare time, he also likes to draw, paint and sculpt. In the painting below, you can see an example of his skill in the visual arts:


Acrylic painting by Steve R. Gagnon of himself and the Percheron gelding Gibraltar
(image provided by Steve R. Gagnon)

During the 2014 jousting season, he competed in Canada, England and France, and served as Knight Marshal(head referee) at the Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 in the USA. His experience marshaling that tournament inspired him to write the following essay.

A Few Yards of Scarlet Velvet

Written by Steve R. Gagnon

At last, I take a few moments to collect my thoughts on the Tournament of the Phoenix experience. I must at first bring up how much Gwen Norwick and Jeffrey Hedgecock’s efforts and perfectionism translate into an event of such exceptional quality.

When I accepted, at a moment’s notice, the Marshal of the Field role, I had a rather preconceived idea of the job’s implications, and also, I must confess, some apprehensions. Normally, I enter the tilt yard clad in my armour and ready to charge, lance in hand. I was hoping that I wouldn’t envy my fellow jousters too much, sitting still on my horse, in all my regalia. Then again, since I was there, I wanted to do my best.

I realized soon enough the scope of the chief referee’s job. The moment I put those few yards of gold lined red velvet on, all the expectations, the responsibilities and the prestige attached to the title sunk in. The Marshal of the Field has to earn each competitor’s trust and respect and from his colleague judges as well. Along with applying the rules with rigor, he must display firmness and discernment. Easier said than done when the people you’re judging are good friends.

All these calls and decisions must also be made diligently, by imposing a certain rhythm to the tournament while remaining aware that under the Californian sun, six jousters in full kit are cooking in a mix of sweat and adrenaline. The three action packed challenges of the event often take unexpected twists, but gladly, the position comes with some precious help. In that regard, I want to salute the excellent work of Lady of Honour Justine Fisher and her Ladies Court, of the scoring judges – Micah "Admiral" Nelson, Joel Hill and Chris "The Nice" Godby.

I will from now on see the referees' jobs from a different angle, should they wear a black, striped or especially a posh scarlet velvet coat. I will never see my sport with the same eye again, and I am thankful to my friends Gwen and Jeff for giving me the chance to serve in this privileged position and to see the sport of jousting from a new viewpoint.


The Ladies and Marshals of the Tournament of the Phoenix 2014, left to right: Canon Purdy, Micah Nelson, Steve R. Gagnon, Justine Fisher, Joel Hill, Rin Hill, Chris Godby and Tori Burfield
(photo by J. Camacho Photography)

Related articles:
An Interview with Toby Capwell, Champion of Tournament of the Phoenix 2014

Jarek Struczynski Wins the Tournament of the Phoenix 2013

Esprit de Corps Dominates at the Tournament of the Phoenix 2012

Quebec Team, Order of the Dragon Wins “Le Tournoi du Lys d'Argent 2012”



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

An Interview with Toby Capwell, Champion of Tournament of the Phoenix 2014

Dr. Tobias Capwell BA MA MA PhD FSA, known to his friends and fellow jousters simply as Toby, was the Overall Champion of this year's Tournament of the Phoenix.

Toby Capwell, Tournament Champion, on the Azteca horse, Lucas, who carried Toby throughout the tournament, Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)
Toby Capwell, Tournament Champion, on the Azteca horse, Lucas, who carried Toby throughout the tournament, Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)

This year's tournament was held the weekend of October 17 - 19, in Poway, California, USA, and involved not only a jousting competition, but also mounted melee and poleaxe competitions, as well as an award for the most chivalrous. There were a total of six jousters from five different countries who competed:
Alix van Zijl of the Netherlands
Darth Rimmer of the USA
Dmitry Savchenko of Russia (received the Chivalry Prize)
Jeffrey Hedgecock of the USA
Luc Petillot of France
Toby Capwell of the UK
Left to right: Alix van Zijl, Luc Petillot, Darth Rimmer, Toby Capwell, Dmitry Savchenko  and Jeffrey Hedgecock (photo from Tournament of the Phoenix)
Left to right: Alix van Zijl, Luc Petillot, Darth Rimmer, Toby Capwell, Dmitry Savchenko 
and Jeffrey Hedgecock (photo from Tournament of the Phoenix)

There was also a separate competition in mounted skill at arms which was won by Chris Godby.

Chris Godby, riding the Azteca horse Lucas, winner of the MSA competition,  Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)
Chris Godby, riding the Azteca horse Lucas, winner of the MSA competition, 
Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)

This year's tournament champion, Toby Capwell, is not your average jouster.  He is Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection in London and is an internationally-acknowledged expert on medieval and Renaissance weapons. He has written widely on this fascinating subject. His books include: The Real Fighting Stuff: Arms and Armour at Glasgow Museums (Glasgow: Glasgow Museums, 2006); Masterpieces of European Arms and Armour in the Wallace Collection (London: Paul Holberton, 2011), winner of Apollo Magazine’s Book of the Year (2012); and The Noble Art of the Sword: Fashion and Fencing in Renaissance Europe 1520-1630 (London: Paul Holberton, 2012). The first book covering his fifteen years of research on armour in England during the fifteenth century will be published in 2015.

Toby also appears regularly on television, most recently as presenter and armour advisor on Richard III: The New Evidence (Channel 4; 2014), released in the USA as Secrets of the Dead: Resurrecting Richard III. He was also the writer and presenter of Metalworks: The Knight’s Tale (BBC4; 2012).

The world’s only jousting curator, Toby has been competing in tournaments all over the world for twenty years. Building and fighting in armour have fundamentally informed his scholarly approach to an intensely physical subject, allowing him to experience it in ways that would be impossible otherwise.

Toby approaches his subject in a passionate and unique way, offering personal and original insights into weapons, armour, horses, chivalric combat, and their deeper significance for the people who lived in the Middle Ages.


Toby Capwell explains his passion for jousting in a video created for the
Grand Tournament of Schaffhausen (video by Ritterturnier Schaffhausen)

Toby graciously agreed to answer some questions about winning the Tournament of the Phoenix and his other jousting experiences.

Congratulations on winning the Tournament of the Phoenix 2014!

Thanks!

How did you become involved with the Tournament of the Phoenix, and how long have you been competing in it?

I’ve known the event producers for a long time – Jeff and Gwen first started coming to the tournaments at the Royal Armouries in Leeds about ten years ago. Jeff and I formed a team with two other friends a bit later on. It all kind of went from there. I first fought at the Phoenix in 2008, and then have gone every other year since, again in 2010, 2012, and 2014.

Please describe one of your favorite moments during the tournament.

It’s funny, this time around it was small, perhaps slightly inconsequential things that made an impression on me. There was a moment during a pass run by Luc Petillot against someone else – can’t remember who – when Luc’s lance was knocked out of his hand by the force of his strike. The lance somehow bounced across his body and started to fall down between his horse’s near side and the tilt. Automatically, without looking or seeing, Luc reached down with his right hand across his body, still at a fast gallop, and retrieved it.

I was right at the end of the tilt and saw the whole thing perfectly. I was really impressed, because it showed not only skill, but also concern for the safety of the people around him. The historical jousting treatises say that the lance (or whatever is left of it) should never be thrown down after an encounter. The jouster should always hold on to it until it can be safely taken from him. Luc just showed in that moment that he was a real jouster with good awareness and the right attitude.

Luc Petillot(left) shakes hands with Toby Capwell(right), Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)
Luc Petillot(left) shakes hands with Toby Capwell(right), Tournament of the Phoenix 2014
(photo by J. Camacho Photography)

What is your favorite memory from any of your previous jousting experiences?

No question about it, when my 3-year-old son showed up unexpectedly in Switzerland this year, to see me joust in Schaffhausen. Seeing him peering over the grandstand railing was incredibly moving. He looked at me across the field, and I looked at him, I raised my hand, and he lit up and waved back. Magical.

Of course his favourite jouster now is Alix [van Zijl], not me. Understandable, I suppose.

How did you become involved with jousting?

Matthew Mansour gave me a job jousting for him back in 1993… I jousted in the USA for a couple years, then ended up in the UK, jousting at the Royal Armouries from 1996 onwards.
Toby Capwell(left) is featured with Matthew Mansour(right) on the cover of the  May 1995 Renaissance Herald (photo provided by The Jousters)
Toby Capwell(left) is featured with Matthew Mansour(right) on the cover of the
May 1995 Renaissance Herald (photo provided by The Jousters)

What aspect of learning to joust did you find most difficult?

Riding. It’s all about the riding. The rest is easy.

What accomplishment within the field of jousting are you most proud of?

Staying on. Most of the time.

Toby Capwell(left) unhorses himself when he strikes Luc Petillot(right) who is rocked back,  but manages to stay on, Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by Dwain Linden Photography)
Toby Capwell(left) unhorses himself when he strikes Luc Petillot(right) who is rocked back, 
but manages to stay on, Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by Dwain Linden Photography)

What other equestrian activities do you participate in?

Sadly, I’m not very active as a rider at the moment. I don’t have the time. I’m sure that will change, but not right now. I’ve played a bit of polo, but I’ve never been able to get excited about ball games. My good friend Mike Loades recently founded a mounted archery club in Petaluma, California (strangely, where I was born). I’d love to get into that.

Please tell us about the horse that you rode during the Tournament of the Phoenix.

In all my Phoenix appearances, I’ve been partnered up with Lucas, a little rocket-powered Azteca. He’s great, in every way. He won the tournament this year as much as me. In fact, he also won the mounted skill at arms competition with a different rider. He’s utterly wonderful to ride, and is actually one of those really rare horses who does both joust and tourney very well. Often the different nature of the two disciplines means that a horse is good at one or the other, but not both. Lucas does it all, with great spirit.

Azteca horse Lucas asserts that he deserves some of the prize flowers  that Toby Capwell is holding (photo by Michael Lozich)
Azteca horse Lucas asserts that he deserves some of the prize flowers
that Toby Capwell is holding (photo by Michael Lozich)

When you were previously interviewed after the Grand Tournament of Sankt Wendel in 2012, you mentioned that the armour you were wearing for that tournament was based on pictorial sources from the Inventario Iluminado of Charles V. Are you still using that armour? If so please tell us more about it. If not, please describe your current jousting armour.

No, the Sankt Wendel armour was a special project. I wanted to get some kind of understanding of how those heavier jousting armours work and feel. It was an interesting project, and I’m glad I did it, but there isn’t much opportunity to use it. Only one other of my pals has one. At Sankt Wendel, he wore his and I wore mine, but the rest of the participants wore field armour with jousting helms. I don’t really like mixing armour styles. Historically, jousters tended to be very concerned about everyone having the same style of kit – the right armour for the right style of joust.

This year I have been jousting in my Italian field armour, which in style dates from c. 1465. It was made by Per Lillelund-Jensen and Jeff Wasson, with my armet by Robert Macpherson. I quite like having different parts by different craftsmen. That’s usually how it was done historically. The few homogeneous armours which survive, like the ‘Avant’ armour in the collections of Glasgow Museums, have the marks of different makers all over them. One master would oversee the making of a good armour, but the individual pieces were usually made by different specialists working under him, and they all had their own marks.

Toby Capwell in his Italian field armour, c. 1465 (photos by J Camacho Photography)Toby Capwell's armet (photos by J Camacho Photography)
Left: Toby Capwell in his Italian field armour, c. 1465
Right: Toby Capwell's armet (photos by J Camacho Photography)


A side view of Toby Capwell's very shiny armet. Notice the reflections? You can also see a maker's mark on his pauldron(shoulder armour) (photo by J. Camacho Photography)
A side view of Toby Capwell's very shiny armet. Notice the reflections? You can also see
a maker's mark on his pauldron(shoulder armour) (photo by J. Camacho Photography)

What other styles of armour have you used for jousting in the past? What other styles would you like to try?

Well, my Italian armour has had a few different incarnations, then there was the English armour, and before that a few different German ones…. Basically it's all been mid-late fifteenth century field armour of one sort or another, with the exception of the Anglo-Flemish jousting armour mentioned above. I would have liked to have tried something late fourteenth or early fifteenth century, but I guess my really big last remaining armour dream project would be Elizabethan. I’d love to do a c. 1570s-80s English royal joust in a Greenwich garniture. But it’ll never happen. Too expensive. Because what would be the point of a Greenwich armour without all the etched and gilded decoration? And you need at least two to play…

Although your armour has changed several times, the design of your heraldic coat-of-arms has remained the same. How did you come up with that design?

Armour can change, but arms should never change. They are your visual name. I chose mine when I first needed them, when I started jousting at the Royal Armouries in the mid-90s. Heraldry is a complex subject, and often misunderstood. It is a visual language. Like a written language, it has rules. These rules need to be followed for it to work and to look right.
Heraldry is a complex subject, and often misunderstood. It is a visual language. Like a written language, it has rules. These rules need to be followed for it to work and to look right. 
I not only wanted my arms to work, I wanted them to look medieval. Medieval heraldry looks different than 17th-century heraldry, which is different than modern heraldry. So I basically just looked through a lot of real fifteenth century armorials – basically lists of hundreds of medieval knights with each coat-of-arms illustrated – until I saw an overall design which seemed to jump off the page. Then I just changed the colours, so I wasn’t claiming to be that person. The original is argent, three chevronels interlaced and a crescent sable, and mine is sable, three chevronels interlaced and a crescent or. The original belonged to Sir Robert Brackenbury, Constable of the Tower under King Richard III.

Toby Capwell and his squire, Lonnie Colson, who is wearing a surcoat and holding a banner displaying Toby's heraldic arms (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)
Toby Capwell and his squire, Lonnie Colson, who is wearing a surcoat and holding a banner
displaying Toby's heraldic arms (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)

I wish heraldry was better understood and appreciated in the jousting community. It really is as simple as knowing how to say your own name in visual terms. It isn’t really a license to just make up whatever you want. If a coat-of-arms looks obviously modern, if it doesn’t have an authentic feel, it kind of blows the whole show for everyone.

Coats-of-arms also have specific uses. Personal coats of arms were rarely worn in jousts for example. In a joust, everyone already knows who you are, and in one-on-one contests, identification isn’t that complicated. Personal identification is obviously much more important in the tourney, and on the battlefield.

It’s also really important to understand the distinction between heraldic and non-heraldic display. Richard III never wore the white boar badge personally. The white boar, just as an example, is not a heraldic device – it is a livery badge. It was a way of expressing loyalty to someone else, not personal identity. Richard’s personal coat-of-arms as King was the royal arms – the lilies and leopards of the King of England.

Despite all of that, I had intended to wear all my own personal heraldry at the Phoenix this year. But I couldn’t get my personal shield into my luggage and keep within the weight limits. So I started the event with my team shield (red with silver crescents; non-heraldic, expressing team loyalty).

Toby Capwell wearing his team shield (photo by Dwain Linden)
Toby Capwell wearing his team shield (photo by Dwain Linden)

Then that was destroyed by Dmitry [Savchenko] on the first day. Jeff [Hedgecock] then kindly lent me one of his, which was emblazoned with the gold escarbuncle, a badge used by the original historical Order of the Crescent, and also by our modern jousting team of the same name, which takes its themes and inspiration from the historical order. The escarbuncle is in this context a non-heraldic image closely associated with St Maurice, patron saint of the historical order. So I ended up, correctly, using a non-heraldic shield in the joust, despite my contrary intentions.

Luc Petillot(left) jousts Toby Capwell(right) who is wearing the gold escarbuncle shield (photo by J. Camacho Photography)
Luc Petillot(left) jousts Toby Capwell(right) who is wearing the gold escarbuncle shield
(photo by J. Camacho Photography)

What are your degrees in, and how does your academic experience influence your jousting? Or vice versa?

I have a BA (history and English literature); two MAs (Art Gallery and Museum Studies; Medieval Studies) and a PhD (Medieval Studies). Certainly my academic experience has equipped me to do better historical research than I would have known how to do otherwise, and this has meant I’ve been in a better position to research armour, saddles, horses, lance technique, heraldry… all the stuff that is essential to good jousting. I’ve also tried to help provide research material and ideas to other jousters who don’t have the advantage of a full-time job researching this sort of thing.


Toby Capwell talks about how his experiences with the Royal Armouries 
inspired his academic career (video from Creative Spaces)

Please tell us about your work as Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection and how it relates to your jousting.

At the Wallace Collection I am responsible for arms and armour- European, Islamic, Indian, and South Asian. It is around 44% of the total museum holdings. I write books about the collection, do talks and lectures, publish articles, answer inquiries, manage volunteers and interns, and am project leader on the museum’s Islamic, Indian and South Asian arms and armour cataloging project. Plenty to do! We have some nice jousting pieces in the collection, including a Stechzeug from the Nuremberg Gesellenstechen series and three Anton Peffenhauser jousting armours dating from the late sixteenth century.

What would you like to say about/to the others involved in the Tournament of the Phoenix 2014?

Just that it was one of the best organised events I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. Everyone was on the same page. Everyone had a shared vision for what it should be. Everyone wore clothing and equipment of the same period and quality, everyone was united, paying attention, and having a great time. Also, vitally, everyone was really well taken care of. Good accommodation, good food, good beer. Lots of concern for safety and well-being. Physiotherapy! This often gets forgotten about, which is crazy, given what we are trying to do.

I just really enjoyed it. Often I’ve been so into the intricacies of research and preparation that I’ve forgotten to enjoy myself, or have not been able to for whatever reason. But this one was really special. And it would have been, even if I had ended up at the bottom of the scoreboard instead of at the top. Everybody got it. It clicked. That’s really hard to achieve.

Ultimately real historical tournaments were supposed to be great social occasions, of celebration and spectacle. This time it happened like that.

The jousters and crew of Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)
The jousters and crew of Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)

What are your plans/hopes for the future?

Well, to be a dad/husband, a curator, and an author. In that order. Beyond my work at the museum, the first book in what I hope will be a three-volume trilogy (watch out Peter Jackson, I’m catching up!) publishing, finally, my research on armour in England, will be coming out next year, but there is a shed-load of work over the next three months that needs to be done to make it happen. I’m on it. I think.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck in the future.

A pleasure, and thank you!

Toby Capwell (photo provided by Toby Capwell)
Toby Capwell (photo provided by Toby Capwell)

You can see more videos featuring Toby on the Dr. Tobias Capwell playlist on The Jousting Life YouTube Chanel, and here are a few more photos from the Tournament of the Phoenix and of Toby:

Toby Capwell unhorses Darth Rimmer, Phoenix 2014(photo by Marina Savchenko)
Toby Capwell unhorses Darth Rimmer, Phoenix 2014(photo by Marina Savchenko)

Toby Capwell and the horse Switch, Royal Armouries Leeds 2005 (photo from Order of the Crescent) Toby Capwell waves to the crowd, Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)
Left: Toby Capwell and the horse Switch, Royal Armouries Leeds 2005 (photo from Order of the Crescent) Right: Toby Capwell waves to the crowd, Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)

Toby Capwell(left) and Jeffrey Hedgecock(right) both break lances against one another, Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)
Toby Capwell(left) and Jeffrey Hedgecock(right) both break lances against one another,
Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)

Toby Capwell(far right) during a mounted melee, Phoenix 2014 (photo by Marina Savchenko)
Toby Capwell(left) and Dmitry Savchenko(right) exchange glances during a mounted melee, Phoenix 2014 (photos by Marina Savchenko)
Top left: Toby Capwell(far right) during a mounted melee, Phoenix 2014
 Bottom right: Toby Capwell(left) and Dmitry Savchenko(right) exchange glances during a mounted melee, Phoenix 2014 (photos by Marina Savchenko)

Toby Capwell(left) fights Alix van Zilj(right) in the poleaxe competition,  Phoenix 2014 (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)
Toby Capwell(left) fights Alix van Zilj(right) in the poleaxe competition, 
Phoenix 2014 (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)

Steve Mallet, Toby Capwell and Jeffrey Hedgecock, 2005 (photo from Order of the Crescent)
Bill Burch, Matthew Mansour, Toby Capwell, 1993(photo from The Jousters)
Top left: Steve Mallet, Toby Capwell and Jeffrey Hedgecock, 2005 (photo from Order of the Crescent) Bottom right: Bill Burch, Matthew Mansour, Toby Capwell, 1993(photo from The Jousters)

Toby Capwell(left) jousts Darth Rimmer(right), Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)
Toby Capwell(left) jousts Darth Rimmer(right), Phoenix 2014 (photo by J. Camacho Photography)

Toby Capwell strikes a pose, Tournament of the Phoenix 2014 (photo by Clarence Alford Photography)
Toby Capwell strikes a pose, Tournament of the Phoenix 2014
(photo by Clarence Alford Photography)

Related articles:
An Interview with Dr. Tobias Capwell: Jouster at The Grand Tournament in Sankt Wendel

Toby Capwell is Writing Blog Posts about the Grand Tournament at Schaffhausen!

Guest Writer, Jouster Marc Hamel: Acts of Valor

Esprit de Corps Dominates at the Tournament of the Phoenix 2012

Guest Writer, Photographer Oliver Dunsch: My Day in Sankt Wendel




Monday, November 17, 2014

Patrice Rolland and Sean George Win the Team Championship of Tournoi International de Joute du Duché de Bicolline 2014

The first of what one hopes will be an annual event, Tournoi International de Joute du Duché de Bicolline was held August 30 - September 1, 2014, in Quebec, Canada. There were a total of sixteen competitors from five different countries. The organizers of the tournament are now ready to announce the winners and make a statement about the tournament:
"Two months ago, we were still on a cloud of blissfulness following the first International Jousting Tournament of the Duchy of Bicolline, a great and colorful event that had gathered professional jousters from all over the world.

While winter is at our door, it is with a lot of pleasure that we dive back in this festive and warm universe to relive these beautiful moments and share with you the great honors for the winners and the participants of the Sport and Historical divisions. Three Vivat to you all!" – Caroline LaBrie, president of Arion, co-organizer of Tournoi International de Joute du Duché de Bicolline
As mentioned in the statement, there was both a Historical Division and a Sport Division for this tournament, which distinguished between those who make every effort to use armour, clothing and gear that is as historically accurate as possible and those who are either not quite as concerned with historical accuracy or simply have not yet managed to assemble a historically accurate kit. Below are lists of the winners from each division:


Patrice Rolland(left) and Sean George(right), Team Champions of Tournoi International de Joute du Duché de Bicolline 2014 (photo by Eric Dube)

Historical Division:
Team Champions: Patrice Rolland of Canada and Sean George of England
Winner of the Joust: Patrice Rolland of Canada
Winner of the Mounted Skill at Arms: Patrice Rolland of Canada
Winner of the Poleaxe: Darth Rimmer of the USA
Most Chivalrous: Luc Petillot of France


Luc Petillot, chosen as Most Chivalrous at Bicolline 2014(photo by Eric Dube)

Patrice rode to victory on his own purebred Canadian gelding, Porto, and Sean rode a TB cross rental horse named Demande s'y, provided by Phillip Lamarche. Patrice and Sean's team was called 'The Green Machine' (because it was the only team color left). The other teams were 'The Stars and Stripes'(Darth Rimmer and Jeffrey Hedgecock of the USA, red), 'The French Connection'(Luc Petillot of France and Marc Hamel of Canada, blue) and 'The Old-Timers'... ahem... I mean 'The Carvers'(Jezz Smith of New Zealand and Steve Gagnon of Canada, black).

Sport Division:
Winner of the Joust: Damien Martel
Winner of the Mounted Skill at Arms: Marie Baron
Most Chivalrous: Marie Baron


Left: Damien Martel, winner of the joust in the Sport Division, Bicolline 2014
Right: Marie Baron, winner of the MSA and chosen as Most Chivalrous in the Sport Division, Bicolline 2014(photos by Eric Dube)

Tournament co-organizer Caroline LaBrie pointed out that:
"Marie rode a 4 year old Quarter horse that was performing his first joust in front of a crowd. A competent and confident rider can help a horse overcome it's insecurities." – Caroline LaBrie
The prizes for both the Historical Division and the Sport Division were created specifically for this tournament. Marc Hamel did the original carving for the plaques awarded to the winners of the Historical Division. Étienne Grenier and Serge Lavigueur did the molding, and Étienne Grenier did the painting, with some final touches added by Jezz Smith. Marc Hamel and Étienne Grenier also created the prizes for the Sport Division, and the calligraphy was done by score keeper Julien Fontaine.


The prizes for the Historic Division, Bicolline 2014(photo by Eric Dube)

Le Duché the Bicolline, who hired joust coordinator Virginie Frechette, worked with Caroline LaBrie's company Arion to produce the tournament. The Montjoie 1471 reenactment group helped by marshaling the jousts, and the medieval band Skarazula provided music during the tournament. Despite the weather not being the best  – it rained Saturday night and Sunday was cloudy and misty – approximately 3000 spectators came to watch the jousting. 

Here are some more photographs from Tournoi International de Joute du Duché de Bicolline, provided by Arion and Eric Dube:


Luc Petillot(left) jousts Sean George(right) at Bicolline2014(photo by Eric Dube)


Patrice Rolland(left) and Darth Rimmer(right) during the poleaxe competition at Bicolline2014,
Darth Rimmer won the poleaxe competition(photo by Eric Dube)



Left: Steve Hemphill(left) jousts Jean-sebastien Drapeau(right) during Bicolline 2014
Right: Caroline LaBrie on her purebred Canadian stallion, Skippy, and her boyfriend/squire Étienne Grenier(photos by Eric Dube)



Patrice Roland, on his purebred Canadian gelding, Porto, the moment the lances strike, 
Bicolline2014(photo by Eric Dube)

Top Left: Radar Goddard breaks her lance against Stephenie Campbell
Bottom Right: Steve Gagnon(left) jousts Darth Rimmer(right), Bicolline 2014(photos by Eric Dube)



Stephane Tremblay waits at the end of the tilt, Bicolline2014(photo by Eric Dube)


The jousters and crew for Tournoi International de Joute du Duché de Bicolline 2014
(photo by Eric Dube)

Related articles:
On the Road to Bicolline

Interview with Sean George, Half of the Winning Team England at the Tournament of King Jan III at Gniew Castle 2014

Le Pas d'Armes du Papegault 2014