A few weeks ago NPR did a segment on the weekend morning edition called American Jouster. Strangely, I did not catch it myself, but my wonderful housemate shared the information with me. I think the piece was nicely done, but a I wish that NPR had pursued a few more people to speak to about various aspects of things.
Do not get me wrong, I think Roy Cox is a great guy. We have never actually met, but we have several mutual friends. And further I think a lot of what he and the other folks say is on target. However, there are a lot of things that were left out or glossed over.
A couple of examples. There is absolutely no mention about some of the lighter jousting that takes place, which is often a great training ground for the folks that have an interest but may not have the full gumption to take it on beyond that or even lack the funding that would be required to do things at that level.
Another thing that Roy mentions is you have to be a start out being a squire and work up to participate. While I will agree that feudal times were very much like that, I would say that there are plenty of people who have a good seat on horseback long before their adult life brings them to jousting. I would further say that many of those folks have an ability to take things to that level fairly quickly with minimum training. Note I am not saying that everyone can do that – matter of fact most indeed can not and the folks that have a good seat on a horse further reduces that set of folks.
Last thing I will take issue with is the comment that all modern jousters take on the name and such of actual people from period. While I know that particular group does indeed do that, certainly to say ALL is far to a wide a net. I know in some groups I use my preferred, and documented to have been correct for the period, medieval name of Raynold of Wharram. He is not based on any actual historical figure though, as I do not think I could really do a lot of those folks actual justice. And in a lot of groups including another I do things with, I am just Sir Ray – my plain ol’ modern mundane name. Both use my own colors and coat of arms when I am jousting and you can readily recognize me on the field by those.
Anyway, just a couple of minor exceptions, all in all I am glad to see our sport getting some exposure in the press and no hard feelings to anyone involved. For your own pleasure, here is a link to the story and a video snippet is included – American Jouster on NPR.
** – photo courtesy of Jacki Lyden, via NPR website
