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Maryland’s official sport is jousting, a medieval competition where mounted competitors try to dislodge each other with a polearm. The state holds tournaments from May to October, often with competitors wearing medieval costumes. Jousting originated as military training for knights and has a history in Maryland dating back to the late 1700s. It is a sport for all ages and often a family tradition. King Henry II of France died while jousting in 1559. There were around 200 competitive jousters worldwide in 2010, with 30 from North America.
Maryland is the state where jousting is the official sport. In 1962, Maryland became the first state to adopt an official sport when it called jousting, in which two mounted competitors try to dislodge each other with the use of a polearm, as a state sport . Maryland holds jousting tournaments for six months of the year from May through October. Jousting has its roots in medieval Europe, and competitors in Maryland jousting tournaments often incorporate medieval costumes. The history of jousting in Maryland dates back to the late 1700s and became more common after the Civil War. It is a sport that men, women and children can compete in and is often a generational family sport.
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Jousting was initially developed as a form of military training for knights to fight in battle for their kings.
King Henry II of France was killed while jousting in a celebratory match in 1559, when he was accidentally poked in the eye with his opponent’s spear.
There were approximately 200 competitive jousters worldwide in 2010, 30 of which were from North America.
