Joust

or Just . An exercise of arms and horsemanship, performed in the Middle Ages by knights and nobles. In the joust, the combatants engaged one another singly, each against his antagonist. The weapon most in use in the joust was the lance, but sometimes the battle-axe and sword were employed. To direct the lance anywhere but at the body of the antagonist was reckoned foul play. In the joust of peace, or joute de plaisance , a foot encounter preceded the mounted combat.