Knights in shining armor

These days we might call them mega events. Back in the Middle Ages, they were known as tournaments. They originated as an attraction for the affluent, but peasants were also allowed to watch the action. Knights tournaments were initially intended as preparation for war, but towards the end of the 15th century they began serving a ceremonial purpose in the noble courts.

The museum in Dresden's Royal Palace has opened a new permanent exhibition showcasing all of the accessories a knight required to participate in a tournament. Even the elite took part: Augustus, the Elector of Saxony, proved his skills in 55 tournaments between 1544 and 1566.

Jousting was a particularly popular event at tournaments. The aim was to knock the opponent from his horse with a lance. Encased in armor, the inside of the knights' chest pieces was often made of lead for better balance. Wittenberg and Dresden were home to many armor makers and models of their work are pictured here.

By the middle of the 16th century jousting was modified to become less dangerous. The Saxons had observed versions of jousting with safer contact in Italy. To avoid serious injury, the knights would ride toward each other with the aim of breaking their lance on their opponents shield or helmet.

Between 1606 and 1679, at least 11 fencing tournaments were held in Dresden - most of them in the courtyard of the Royal Palace. Strict rules applied: The correct distance from the opponent had to be maintained. Those who dropped their sword or spear were disqualified. The objective was to touch the opponent's head or chest with one's own weapon, which was blunt to prevent serious injury.

The armor used during a fencing tournament weighed 20 to 30 kilos (44 to 66 pounds), curator Holger Schuckelt says. That didn't include the weight of the knight's normal clothing underneath or his weapon. Participants clearly had to be in good shape! "The tournaments in the movies are usually quite fake and have nothing to do with reality," Schuckelt explains.

The 350 items included in the new permanent exhibition are kept in the so-called Hall of the Giants in Dresden's Royal Palace. It's been 460 years since the hall has been put to use. It was here that Elector Johann Georg IV (1668-1694) was bestowed with the Order of the Garter in 1693, today Great Britain's highest order of chivalry. Painter Johann Samuel Mock captured the ceremony.

The Hall of Giants was destroyed by a fire in 1701. August the Strong (1670-1733) had the palace completely rebuilt and the last real tournaments took place during his reign. His son had the palace renovated again and turned the Hall of Giants into his wife Maria Josepha's private chamber. The original hall was reconstructed in 2007.