Objekt 2112
Knights jousting in Basel
Description
In the 13th century Basel was a city of knights, famous for its splendid tower
houses and tournaments. These mostly took place during carnival or Whitsun
time on Münster Square. There were processions throughout town,
dancing and heavy drinking. Tournaments would be duels between two
contestants or group fights. Special equipment was worn to help reduce the
danger of injury to contestants. This pot helmet shows traces of thrusts by
a ‘little tournament crown’ which was used to make the spear blunt for the
tournament. Despite these precautions, accidents occurred repeatedly.
Object description
Pot helmet
site: Castle Madeln near Pratteln BL, before 1356
iron
deposited by Archäologie Baselland
Inv. 2007.474
Little tournament crown
site: Castle Waldeck near Leymen (F), before 1356
iron
donated by A. Petitjean, Basel
Inv. 1881.195.