KOLBENTURNIER, OR BASTON COURSE.
This is a variety that first appeared early in the fifteenth century. It was a dual combat on horseback, and was not in vogue for more than a century. The weapon used was a “baston,” a short wooden polygonally cut mace, thickening towards the end. The helmet for this course was heavy and round, with a strong grated front. The head did not touch the helmet at all, for the “baston,” being made of very heavy wood, was a dangerous weapon for striking. An example of the saddle used in this course may be seen at the Nuremberg Museum. It is so constructed that the rider cannot well fall off.
There were a number of other courses, but the differences were only trifling, consisting mainly in humorous devices and fashions in costume. During the closing twenty years of the sixteenth century, and the first twenty in the following, the Hungarian tourney was much in vogue. This course obtained its name solely from the dress worn—the spurs used were very long.
Running at the ring can hardly be classed under the tournament category. It was called “Ringelrennen” in Germany, and was much in favour at the Saxon court from 1570 to the end of the seventeenth century. The lance used was shorter and much lighter than that for tournaments. There is a specimen at Dresden which is tipped with a cone, to hold the ring when hit, and there is naturally no vamplate.