What Was Sport Really Like in the Middle Ages?
134,143
Published 2023-04-03
We discover the harsh realities of this sport that's synonymous with the Middle Ages, and learn about its close ties to the art of combat and warfare. Our knights run a gauntlet of tests demonstrating the skill and precision needed to smash lances, spear boars and possibly secure a lucrative deal for your kingdom.
And it wasn't just the knights that got in on the action, Eleanor joins the Crossbow Guild and explores how it was not only practical, but would have given people from the humbler classes a chance to tour the country, show off their skills and earn some extra coin along the way.
Then, it's the thrill of the chase that gets Eleanor's heart fluttering, as Falconry Expert Emma Rapheal introduces us to this time honoured tradition and discusses how hunting parties weren't just for putting food on the table; but a popular sport that both a lady and a knight could enjoy.
Lastly, we find the royal court is not too far from the tennis court, when Eleanor takes on Hampton Court Palace's on-site professional, Nick Wood, at Real Tennis and finds out how to handcraft a Tudor-style ball. It turns out that tennis is actually an example of an unruly street game that was adopted and adored by medieval royals and nobility.
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00:00 Introduction
01:10 The tournament (jousting)
11:00 Knight training
13:06 Crossbow shooting
18:51 Real tennis
25:53 Falconry
34:46 Outro
All Comments (21)
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Love it when Eleanor Janega is in these videos. She's so knowledgeable, funny and enthusiastic! I wish she had taught history at my school.
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The world needs more Eleanor Janega in videos. I cant get enough. Absolutely wonderful storytelling and presentation, as always.
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I recently discovered these videos and Dr. Janega is my new favorite history presenter next to Dr. Felton.
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Dr Janega is simply wonderful, passionate about her subject, she brings humor, style and quality to any video. I see she's in a video, I just automatically click,I'm hooked ❤😉👍🍻
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Eleanor is the history teacher who all of us who went to study it at Uni had. They made history interesting & enjoyable.
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Eleanor is the best. Love watching her work its always guaranteed quality content
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Wonderful episode and great summary ending. Ancient past wasn’t just dark, sad black and white. When we realise it we can really appreciate and understand our ancestors so much better.
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Every episode with Eleanor is a certified banger!
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I would love to know what sorts of children's games are recorded from medieval times. The equivalent to popular schoolyard games of today, hopscotch, skip-rope, marbles etc.
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She really puts out Brienne of Tarth vibes when she put on that armour! :D
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I really adore all of Eleanor's videos. Just another great one. It's fun to look at humans and history in a more open light, instead of trying to draw over riding conclusions from religion or culture. There are, of course, differences but showing that...they were in fact human and people and sought the same vices or experiences makes history make a little more sense. Especially compared to just viewing history in clans/churches and power struggles. Those certainly existed, but so did your every day Dick and Jane.
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Every historian secretly just wants to play historical dress-up.
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I think the editor's accidentally spliced in footage of a Goshawk when the falconer is talking about the Peregrine. Probably an easy mistake to make- they look quite similar unless you're a bird nerd. Avian pedantry aside, it's a great video. Always happy to have Eleanor Janega teaching us
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Another top well presented and educational video guys. Eleanor's narration was brilliant by taking a step back but examining and taking part in aspects of the sports of yesteryear. Well done!.
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Eleanor is ALWAYS a win.
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Brilliant yet again a fantastic video from Dr Eleanor, she just brings every one of her subjects to life instantly. She so simply shows and tells us of what life was like in the middle ages. I can listen to her for hours. Thank you Dr Eleanor.
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Eleanor looks like a total badass in the armor.
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Love the comment “you can take the girl out of America”. 😂. I have shot a medieval style crossbow and it’s so hard to not hold it and shoot it like a firearm. Even modern crossbows are built like firearms. Great video
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During the Falconry section as the falcon started screeching my cat zoomed into the room I was in looking for whatever bird she thought was in our house 😂😂
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I will watch anything Eleanor is in! I also love that almost everything about her dialect is British except the accent lol
