A tournament, or tourney, was a chivalrous competition or mock fight that was common in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It is a type of hastilude.
An early 14th century depiction of mounted combat in a tournament from the German Codex Manesse
Two teams stand ready just before the match begins; each side has 24 knights, each with a banner-bearer. There is a central spectators' box for the four judges, and one on each side for the ladies; inscribed over the boxes is plus est en vous which is the motto of the Gruuthuse family of Bruges.
A tournament in progress (René d'Anjou), only the banners of Bourbon and Brittany are shown left in the field of view. The individual knights' banners are seen to the right.
The joust outlasted the tournament proper and was widely practiced well into the 16th century (sketch by Jörg Breu the Elder, 1510).
SCA armoured combat, or informally heavy combat, is a combat sport developed by the Society for Creative Anachronism in which participants in protective body armour compete in mock combat, individual
Fighters practicing at Pennsic XXXVIII (2009). Note the use of rattan swords, edge padding on the shields, and bar grills added to the helmets
Fighters practising at Pennsic XXXVIII (2009)
Fighters practicing at Gulf Wars XIII (2004)
Pennsic field battle in 2006