Queen of Love and Beauty
Often, the winner of the jousting competition gets to choose the tournament's
"Queen of Love and Beauty." The local ruler or tournament organizer gives him a
crown or coronet, which the fighter may bestow upon any lady (at the
tournament) of his choosing; typically, the crown is placed over the end of the
fighter's lance, so that he might ride along the stands and give the crown, at
lance-point, to the lady of his choice. The Queen of Love and Beauty sits with the
fighter and local ruler at the night's feast, and the award is a sign of status and
respect, but confers no lasting benefit.
In a campaign where women also fight, naturally, the female fighter would be
given a crown to award to the "King of Grace."
Table of Contents