Antique Print of a Medieval Tournament by Rüxner (c.1578)

Description: Antique print titled 'Das rennen und stechen'. Engraving of a Medieval tournament. This print originates from 'Thurnier Buch. Von Anfang, Ursachen, ursprung und herkommen (..)' by Georg Rüxner. 

Artists and Engravers: The Thurnierbuch ("tournament book"), published in 1530, is an important work on the tradition of medieval tournaments in the Holy Roman Empire. The Thurnierbuch contains detailed descriptions of 36 tournaments supposedly held between 938 and 1487, including full lists of participants. Rüxner is the origin of the tradition that the imperial tournaments in Germany were established by Henry the Fowler but it is now widely accepted that the first 14 tournaments in his list are unhistorical invention. His account of imperial tournaments during the 15th century, however, may be treated as mostly historical, and Rüxner is thus an important source on the details of tournament rules and practices in Germany during the late medieval period. The Thurnierbuch was reprinted in Frankfurt by Sigmund Feyerabend in 1578 or 1579.