Extreme Jousting on Nat Geo

It isn't on the sports channel yet but the National Geographic Channel has the Knights of Mayhem on Tuesdays about a group who want jousting to be just as big as football. I talked about them on a post last year. These guys go for a little less finess and a bit more rough riding. I didn't catch the show myself--forgot it was on--but did see some of the video on their website (which you can catch here). 

I get the impression that these guys are a little less about history and a little more about testosterone (see the image above), which, I suppose, when all is said and done, is what a knight was about. But it does trouble me a bit. Because knighthood was couched in so many rules of engagement, so many layers of the chivalric code and culture, and to simply go out and get yourself some armor, a horse, and maybe watch a movie on jousting just is not serving the event as well as it could be done. Also, because this is a reality show, it will no doubt become bogged down by the inevitable clashes and angst that so characterize these things which, frankly, interest me not at all. I wish they would just get down to the actual stuff rather than the endless drama of the individuals. (All those cake and cupcake decorating shows; I wish they'd just show us how they actually decorate them rather than the family and friend drama. Who cares? I don't.) 

Of course I'll do my best to catch it next week to make a better judgment but I bet you anything I've got it on the money.

 

Comments

[Linda C. McCabe]

Jeri,
I'm glad to see at least a mention of this on my medievalist blogroll. I watched two back to back episodes last week and your instincts were dead on correct. There's the tension highlighted between Charlie and Patrick, which will probably drive the six weeks worth of episodes. There also is no honor or chivalry involved in this high octane, highly violent version of the sport. Here's a link to my full review that I posted yesterday:

http://lcmccabe.blogspot.com/2011/11/knights-of-mayhem-review-of-reality-tv.html

[Jeri Westerson]

I'll have to check out your review, Linda. Yup, I caught some episodes and it was as I suspected.

[Monica Maddox]

What does it mean to be a medieval v. modern knight? are these modern day knights more mercenary? They hope to create a national jousting interest...in this economy?
I find the show a bit coarse. I realize this is what sells though. There is no easy answer.

[Linda C. McCabe]

Jeri,
I don't know if you've watched the newest jousting series. This one is on the History Channel and is called "Full Metal Jousting." I think it is far superior to the one on the Nat Geo Channel. So far there have been five episodes. I blogged about that series as well. If you are interested in seeing my review, check here:

http://lcmccabe.blogspot.com/2012/03/full-metal-jousting-review.html

Good luck with the Agathas!

Linda

[Jeri Westerson]

No, it's not better. Because the participants admit they know nothing about the Middle Ages, they just want to "bash some heads." And although some knights of the MA surely felt the same, at least they understood the culture and the reason for the head-bashing. I saw one episode episode. And they simply get good riders, plunk them in armor, and have at it. They don't seem to train at all with or without armor and without horses to understand how to move in it, how they can move in it, nor does it look as if they are couching correctly...they don't have an understanding at all. It doesn't interest me.