IMC 2013: Sessions

Session 618: Military Skills and Martial Pleasures, II: Winning Support and Building Bonds in Jousts, Dancing, and Crossbow Competitions

Tuesday 2 July 2013, 11.15-12.45

Organiser:	Laura Crombie, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York
Moderator/Chair:	Chris Woolgar, Department of History / Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Culture, University of Southampton
Paper 618-a	Jousting, Dancing, and Dragons: The King of Hungary, the Turkish Threat, and Entertainment during the Council of Constance, 1414-18 (Language: English) Mark Whelan, Department of History, Royal Holloway, University of London Index terms: Crusades, Heraldry, Military History, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 618-b	Ties That Bind: Community and Brotherhood in Late Medieval Jousts (Language: English) Rachael Whitbread, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York Index terms: Archives and Sources, Heraldry, Mentalities, Social History
Paper 618-c	Bows and Brotherhood: The Crossbow Competitions of Late Medieval Flanders and Networks for Social Peace (Language: English) Laura Crombie, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York Index terms: Daily Life, Local History, Military History, Social History
Abstract	Military games were often spectacular events, whether organised by Emperors, English nobles, or townsmen, but events could bring support and forge new bonds. In entertainments from Frankfurt to Leon, Sigismund used events to ensure a successful ecclesiastical council and spread awareness of the Turkish threat and generate aid for his Kingdom. In France and England jousts strengthened communal bonds and presented opportunities for the expression of allegiance and brotherhood-in-arms across the nobility. In Flanders crossbow guilds staged huge events that took over towns, as well as winning honour the competitions facilitated social interactions that help strengthen peace through martial pleasures.