Knights didn’t work every day. When there were no wars to fight or castles to save, knights found many ways to have fun. But they were still practicing for battle.
Hunting was a favorite sport. Armed with bows and arrows, hunters tracked wolves and wild boars through nearby forests. The animals they shot—from small birds to deer—put meat on the castle table. They also served as target practice for the knights. Another popular sport was hawking. Knights and ladies tamed and raised hawks. Then they taught them to catch small birds.
But the most fun might have been at the tournament. That was a series of pretend battles that lasted many days. It was a game but also a way to practice for war. It gave knights a chance to show their skills before a huge crowd of fellow knights, lords, and ladies. Let’s join the knights as they amuse themselves.
