- from Knights & Castles
A knight didn’t have to work every day. When there were no wars to fight or castles to save, knights found many ways to have fun.
But even then, they were still practicing skills to use in battle.
Hunting was a favorite sport. Armed with bows and arrows, hunters tracked wolves and wild boars through the forests that surrounded most castles. The animals they shot—from small birds to deer—provided meat for the castle table. They also served as target practice for the knights. Another popular way to pass the time was hawking. Knights and ladies tamed and raised hawks. They then taught them to catch small birds.
But perhaps most fun of all was the tournament. This was a series of mock battles that lasted many days. The tournament was both a game and a way of practicing for war. The events gave the knight a chance to show off his skills before a huge crowd of fellow knights, lords, and ladies. Let’s join the knights as they amuse themselves.