The Journeyman
08-23-2011, 06:10 AM
Types of physical exercise in Medieval Serbia (XII-XIV century)
... Knight duels were frequent in the medieval Serbia as well. The main weapons in knight duels were spears, sabers, maces and shields. Sometimes, smaller daggers were used to win the battle. Handling the mace was a real art, considering their weight and specific shape. A good hero had to exercise every day so that he could use it properly in a battle or a duel. The mace weight varied, but we suppose it was from five to ten kilograms. Considering this weight, we can claim with certainty that men who used this weapon had to be very strong and skillful, because they most often used both hands. That was exactly what distinguished the Serbian heroes.
“Miloš Vojinović threw his spear,
Fastening the fair-faced Latin youth,
Fastening him to the Ledyan gate,
So he cut off his fair-haired head,
And threw it to his horse’s food bag…””
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 94].
There were tournaments and jousts in Europe as well. Tournaments were held in West Europe, whereas in East Europe, where Serbia belonged at the time, there were jousts. West Europe was distinguished for heavy armored cavalry, always ready to act on. There, the knights fought in heavy armors, with shields, long spears and swords. The East European army was different, light-armored and highly mobile. The fighters were armed with spears for throwing, maces and light swords. Vital parts of their bodies were protected with hauberks and armets [14, p. 137].
Throughout the medieval period, the most popular sporting events among the upper class men were tournaments consisting of war games to keep the knights and nobles ready for battle. Some tournaments resembled actual battlefield confrontations. Deaths and serious injuries occurred, victors carried off opponents’ possessions, and losers were often taken prisoner and used as hostages to demand ransom from opposing camps. Later versions of tournaments had lower stakes, but they also involved injuries and occasional deaths [2, p. 63].
Because of the heavy armor both on himself and his horse, the European knight moved with difficulty as a foot soldier; while mounted, he was used to moving lordly even on the most unpropitious ground, thus compromising his agility. Therefore, towards the end of the century most knights started to use lighter armor to gain mobility.
The jousts in Serbia were adorned by the good fighter and the good horse. These two were one entity in combat. The horse had to obey his master and execute his commands. That means that the horse was well trained by his master. One of the skills was jumping over different obstacles: fires, canals, ropes and vertically set spears. A heavy and clumsy horse could not perform; only the tall, fast and well trained could. Winged horses were also often mentioned, as well as those with other extraordinary qualities. In today’s tournaments, it is not unusual to see horses jump two meters up or aside.
”He took up his dun steed’s reins,
And spurred him out from among the wedding guests,
Kept prodding him with his sharp spurs:
So he jumped three-spear lengths aside,
And four-spear lengths high in the air,
How far ahead could not even be measured;…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 90].
Climbing walls was a skill that distinguished only those heroes who besides their strength and agility had a perfect coordination of movements necessary for climbing. They most often climbed castle walls and mountain cliffs using table-cloths. Those were the skills in which they had to show their agility and swiftness, strength and endurance. Very often, the life of the hero depended on these skills. Nowadays, in different competitions there always have to be rock-climbing or free climbing as one of the disciplines. This corroborates the fact that the Serbian heroes were really strong, agile and skillful. In the poem The Wedding of King Vukašin Voivoda Momčilo used the cloth which his sister had thrown to him to climb the castle walls.
“Jevrosima, my dear little sister,
Lower a strip of cloth down to me,
So I can flee into the city.”
…….
Momčilo grabbed hold of the cloth
So up the city wall he climbed;
But just as he was about to jump over,
His unfaithful love rushed thither…”
From the poem “The Wedding of King Vukašin” [10, p. 27].
Physical exercising of peasants in Europe was not organized and it occurred through immediate working activity. However, they had some forms of physical exercising. At the peasant festivals/games some competitions were organized in a few events. Running, bag races, throwing stick quarterns, several variations of bowling, wrestling, different kinds of dancing and stick fights were favorite.
Running as a form of public competition did not have strict rules. These were often made on the spot, and the most important thing was to beat the opponent, be it on a longer or a shorter track. In a difficult situation, running was a way to escape [14, p. 183]. We can find examples of this in the poem Uroš and the House of Mrnjavčević, when Marko runs away from his father so as to avoid being slain by him. Running was both a diversion and a combat skill, when it was used directly in battle. In every village, during the religious festivities and at village squares and crossroads, people organized competitions in running. Running with legs tied or in bags was a very interesting discipline. There were no special preparations or equipment; runners usually took off some clothes, and the old ran together with the young. Running was a special form of exercise that did not require any equipment or weapons. There is no information about whether the winners were awarded prizes, but they were surely celebrated and respected.
“Off Marko ran around the white church,
Around the white church of Samodreža
Off Marko ran, and the king was after him,
Until they closed three reels
Around the white Samodreža church…”
From the poem “Uroš and the House of Mrnjavčević” [10,p. 67].
Jumping was often described. Epic heroes jumped over several horses and jumped into the saddle of the last one. They even leapt over horses with flaming swords on them. It was immensely appreciated when someone jumped over an obstacle while riding [14, p. 184]. This kind of exercise was both an entertainment act and a combat skill. Every skill exercised for entertainment’s sake was also useful in battle or in everyday situations. In their description of jumping, the poems mentioned the starting position but did not state its length. In truth, a good and long jump required an adequate starting position. A special jumping technique was used, which differed between the high jump and the long jump. There were some combined jumps as well, the examples of which can be traced in the following poems: The Wedding of Tsar Dušan, The Wedding of Sibinjanin Janko and The Wedding of King Vukašin.
“From the other side he came forward,
And took a run across the plain field,
Over three knight horses he jumped,
With three flaming swords on top of them…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 95].
When Voivoda Momčilo heard that
He shed tears down his hero face,
He jumped off his dun steed,
In three leaps he got to the city;
But the city gate was locked,
Locked and bolted…”
From the poem “The Wedding of King Vukašin” [10, p. 27].
“Do not worry, bridegroom Janko,
You will need me there,
So he took a run as a swallow,
And jumped over nine good horses,
Straight into the saddle of the tenth…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Sibinjanin Janko” [15].
Throwing the spear, and occasionally the mace, was a very important skill of the medieval heroes, often used in battles. Hurling a stone from the shoulder was a skill also described in poems, but it was used in competitions when the heroes were required to show who was stronger. This was a kind of qualification discipline, an exercise that distinguished the strong competitors from the weak ones. The distance achieved was the result of a strong body, especially arms and shoulders, and the hurling technique. It was also a good preparation for handling the mace or the sword, or carrying the shield. Throwing the mace was a somewhat more difficult discipline, because the heroes were expected to hit the target. It could be on the ground or in the air, or it could be a rider, for example. Considering its weight, the spear was the easiest to throw. The heroes threw it farthest, but they needed to be extra skillful and precise because there were no corrections, especially in battle. Any failure could be fatal for them.
“He flung his golden six-flanged mace:
So slightly did he strike him
That he knocked him out of his war saddle;”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 99].
“And the fair-faced Latin threw his spear
At Miloš, at the hero’s chest…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 94].
Fencing was used in battles and duels. Handling and fighting with sabers greatly emphasized the hero’s courage and skill at arms. The amount of attention given to fencing can be seen in the fact that knights themselves were present when their swords were forged and ornamented. Knowing their physical abilities, they even gave the swordsmiths instructions as to where to double the layer of their swords, or how to ornament them. The sword had to fit well into the knight’s hand, but it also had to be heavy enough to kill and light enough to handle. Very often, good swords were inherited inside the family, and were handed down to another generation. Even today there are preserved traditional fencing elements in certain competitions of the entertaining and promotional character. A good example is Ljubičevske Igre (Ljubicevske Games) organized in Ljubičevo, near Požarevac. There is a discipline where a cavalier in full gallop cuts a stuck spear, slashes watermelons on a stand, and finally hits the target with his sword. This is just one of the many examples of the saved traditional forms of physical exercises and competitions from the Nemanjić dynasty.
“Jabučilo the Steed trampled on more
Than Momčilo struck down with his sharp saber…”
From the poem “The Wedding of King Vukašin” [10, p. 27].
The bow and arrow were used in public all-around-competitions, or when heroes defended the honor of their masters or relatives. Shooting “an apple through the ring” was most frequently described. Bows and arrows were significantly improved in the Middle Ages. They could cripple the enemy at large distances without close contact. To hit the target with the bow and arrow was quite a skill. Precision was very important and only under that condition were the heroes efficient and could survive. Precision had also an entertaining character, which was even a part of the wedding ceremony. Similar customs have been preserved even to this day in some areas of our country. On the wedding day, as they come for the bride, the bridegroom and the best man have to shoot an apple at a very large distance. Only then can they enter the yard and take away the bride. A good marksman has always been respected. The best shooters are given the most precise weapons such as sniper guns, and some other important duties and responsibilities. This skill is not something inherited but it is gained by persistent exercise and constant improvement. Today, professional competitors train at least six hours a day.
“Miloš headed to the white tower,
Knocked an arrow upon the golden string,
Shot the apple through the ring,
Took it into his white hands,
And brought it to the honorable Tsar…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 96].
Wrestling, just as throwing the spear or the mace, was a very important skill and was used in the closing part of combat. In village games, young men wrestled in order to show their strength and skills. A good wrestler was always respected in the circles of Serbian heroes.
“They chipped away each other’s sabers,
Cut them all the way up to the handles;
Then they threw away what remained of them,
Jumped off their swift horses,
Grabbed each other by their white throats,
So the two dragons clashed
On the flats of Goleč Mountain,
And they fought all the summer’s day till noon…”
From the poem “Banović Strahinja” [10, p. 113].
Horsemanship was a very important and useful skill, especially so in duels and battles. A good horse, which was very fast, agile and strong enough to carry its rider, and also well trained for combat, was respected as the man’s best friend. Jumping over obstacles on the horse was a skill which showed the relationship and understanding between the horse and its rider. For this discipline the horse had to be well trained and drilled, and the rider had to be very skillful. An example of a well trained horse with the rider is seen in the discipline of the gallop with the relay of mail-bags. It is a very simple discipline at first sight, but when it is considered that the rider has to dismount, switch the mail-bag with the horse standing still beside him, mount again and break into gallop, one can see that it can also be very difficult. Only the most skillful horses and riders can win in this discipline.
“Then he jumped on his knight horse’s back
And flew off like a gray falcon…”
From the poem “The Wedding of of Sibinjanin Janko” [15].
Hunting was a favorite pastime for the aristocracy and it was organized only on Sundays. Greyhounds followed their masters, while falcons were used in bird hunting. The nobility hunted big game and it was not only entertainment, but also a practical military activity, since the precision of shooting at game could prove very useful in duels and battles.
“Every morning on the holy Sunday
Early he goes hunting in the Lakes…”
From the poem “The Wedding of King Vukašin” [10, p. 23].
The main occupation of West European nobility were war and hunting. Both activities required thorough training in handling arms, horse riding, and high levels of physical abilities (strength, speed, endurance and agility) which were possible to obtain only through systematic physical exercise [7]. A variety of weapons was used in hunting, such as short spear, axe, knife, bow and arrow. It is interesting that women took part in falconry.
Cited types of exercise from the time of the House of Nemanjić were also seen in Europe in the form of the knightly skills (riding, swimming, hunting, archery, fighting with sword and spear, and wrestling).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Secular culture of medieval Serbia included two important factors: literacy of laymen and the knightly cult in its practical form. The skill at arms was a necessity and a diversion at the same time, and was modified in sport and contest. Exercising and training in the use of arms were a part of general lifestyle. Professional soldiers were expected to train regularly and to gather occasionally for joined training and learning.
Physical exercise in Europe as a part of education was mostly represented in the upbringing of knights, and later of craftsmen’s and merchants’ children. The knights’ education comprised the abovementioned knightly skills. The main goal of developing those skills was to make people ready and able to protect faith, the sovereign, and a lady.
The House of Nemanjić ruled Serbia for over 200 years (1166-1371) as the most important medieval Serbian governing dynasty. Their importance in Serbian history comes from the fact that during their reign the establishment of the independent medieval Serbian state was accomplished, with its greatest territorial, economical and cultural influence, as well as that of Serbian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
Serbian people were ready for the Middle Ages. In their own country, in a sophisticated and enlightened monarchy, battles, war and military service in peace were regulated by laws. The law books written by St. Simeon and St. Sava also incorporated military law, which regulated military service and the whole system of defense. These laws must have been valid for a long time, because Stefan the First-Crowned quoted them, and some 150 years later Tsar Dušan’s Code confirmed and improved military rights and obligations.
A philosophical basis for fighting as well as the moral and ethic principles were drawn up by Rastko Nemanjić (St. Sava). This set of beliefs was very different from all other fighting systems, because its main features were humanity, struggle for justice, non-aggression, and self-defense. It very strictly forbade crossing the limit which distinguished good from evil, God from the devil.
Along with the development of the society itself, through ancestor cult, mythology, and under the great influence of fairy tales, epic poetry developed in Serbia. Its main aim was to save the memory of the ancestors and the brave warriors who by their brave deeds endowed the people. Epic poetry was the greatest achievement of Serbian literature, while it is also a source of information on the medieval social circumstances and types of physical exercise and training at the same time.
The reason why epic poetry deserves our special attention lies in its value and its specific character. Although it contains numerous hyperboles, which were necessary to maintain the spirit of freedom in the enslaved people, it can be used for a study into types of physical exercising in this period. All exercise was actually directed to strengthening young people’s physical abilities, as well as fortifying patriotism, courage, bravery, determination and honor. Types of physical exercise had a direct influence on developing the spirit of heroism and manliness. Some forms of physical exercise had a prominent entertaining character (climbing walls, riding, running and jumping), while others had an immediate military and practical value (throwing the mace and the spear, fencing, marksmanship, wrestling, horsemanship, and hunting). We can conclude with great certainty that these types of physical exercises were dominant in developing the psycho-physical ability in Serbian knights.
These forms of physical exercise were strongly connected to the tradition of preserving and cultivating folk customs. As people lived in villages, far away from cities, and occasionally far even from the Ottoman invaders, the most popular kinds of entertainment for young people were dancing (combined country-dance which is the basic form of dancing) and competitions in board jump, hurling a stone from the shoulder, wrestling, swimming and diving. These forms of folk competitions can be seen even today during celebrations in some villages.
http://sjss-sportsacademy.edu.rs/archive/details/full/types-of-physical-exercise-in-medieval-serbia-xii-xiv-century-128.html
... Knight duels were frequent in the medieval Serbia as well. The main weapons in knight duels were spears, sabers, maces and shields. Sometimes, smaller daggers were used to win the battle. Handling the mace was a real art, considering their weight and specific shape. A good hero had to exercise every day so that he could use it properly in a battle or a duel. The mace weight varied, but we suppose it was from five to ten kilograms. Considering this weight, we can claim with certainty that men who used this weapon had to be very strong and skillful, because they most often used both hands. That was exactly what distinguished the Serbian heroes.
“Miloš Vojinović threw his spear,
Fastening the fair-faced Latin youth,
Fastening him to the Ledyan gate,
So he cut off his fair-haired head,
And threw it to his horse’s food bag…””
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 94].
There were tournaments and jousts in Europe as well. Tournaments were held in West Europe, whereas in East Europe, where Serbia belonged at the time, there were jousts. West Europe was distinguished for heavy armored cavalry, always ready to act on. There, the knights fought in heavy armors, with shields, long spears and swords. The East European army was different, light-armored and highly mobile. The fighters were armed with spears for throwing, maces and light swords. Vital parts of their bodies were protected with hauberks and armets [14, p. 137].
Throughout the medieval period, the most popular sporting events among the upper class men were tournaments consisting of war games to keep the knights and nobles ready for battle. Some tournaments resembled actual battlefield confrontations. Deaths and serious injuries occurred, victors carried off opponents’ possessions, and losers were often taken prisoner and used as hostages to demand ransom from opposing camps. Later versions of tournaments had lower stakes, but they also involved injuries and occasional deaths [2, p. 63].
Because of the heavy armor both on himself and his horse, the European knight moved with difficulty as a foot soldier; while mounted, he was used to moving lordly even on the most unpropitious ground, thus compromising his agility. Therefore, towards the end of the century most knights started to use lighter armor to gain mobility.
The jousts in Serbia were adorned by the good fighter and the good horse. These two were one entity in combat. The horse had to obey his master and execute his commands. That means that the horse was well trained by his master. One of the skills was jumping over different obstacles: fires, canals, ropes and vertically set spears. A heavy and clumsy horse could not perform; only the tall, fast and well trained could. Winged horses were also often mentioned, as well as those with other extraordinary qualities. In today’s tournaments, it is not unusual to see horses jump two meters up or aside.
”He took up his dun steed’s reins,
And spurred him out from among the wedding guests,
Kept prodding him with his sharp spurs:
So he jumped three-spear lengths aside,
And four-spear lengths high in the air,
How far ahead could not even be measured;…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 90].
Climbing walls was a skill that distinguished only those heroes who besides their strength and agility had a perfect coordination of movements necessary for climbing. They most often climbed castle walls and mountain cliffs using table-cloths. Those were the skills in which they had to show their agility and swiftness, strength and endurance. Very often, the life of the hero depended on these skills. Nowadays, in different competitions there always have to be rock-climbing or free climbing as one of the disciplines. This corroborates the fact that the Serbian heroes were really strong, agile and skillful. In the poem The Wedding of King Vukašin Voivoda Momčilo used the cloth which his sister had thrown to him to climb the castle walls.
“Jevrosima, my dear little sister,
Lower a strip of cloth down to me,
So I can flee into the city.”
…….
Momčilo grabbed hold of the cloth
So up the city wall he climbed;
But just as he was about to jump over,
His unfaithful love rushed thither…”
From the poem “The Wedding of King Vukašin” [10, p. 27].
Physical exercising of peasants in Europe was not organized and it occurred through immediate working activity. However, they had some forms of physical exercising. At the peasant festivals/games some competitions were organized in a few events. Running, bag races, throwing stick quarterns, several variations of bowling, wrestling, different kinds of dancing and stick fights were favorite.
Running as a form of public competition did not have strict rules. These were often made on the spot, and the most important thing was to beat the opponent, be it on a longer or a shorter track. In a difficult situation, running was a way to escape [14, p. 183]. We can find examples of this in the poem Uroš and the House of Mrnjavčević, when Marko runs away from his father so as to avoid being slain by him. Running was both a diversion and a combat skill, when it was used directly in battle. In every village, during the religious festivities and at village squares and crossroads, people organized competitions in running. Running with legs tied or in bags was a very interesting discipline. There were no special preparations or equipment; runners usually took off some clothes, and the old ran together with the young. Running was a special form of exercise that did not require any equipment or weapons. There is no information about whether the winners were awarded prizes, but they were surely celebrated and respected.
“Off Marko ran around the white church,
Around the white church of Samodreža
Off Marko ran, and the king was after him,
Until they closed three reels
Around the white Samodreža church…”
From the poem “Uroš and the House of Mrnjavčević” [10,p. 67].
Jumping was often described. Epic heroes jumped over several horses and jumped into the saddle of the last one. They even leapt over horses with flaming swords on them. It was immensely appreciated when someone jumped over an obstacle while riding [14, p. 184]. This kind of exercise was both an entertainment act and a combat skill. Every skill exercised for entertainment’s sake was also useful in battle or in everyday situations. In their description of jumping, the poems mentioned the starting position but did not state its length. In truth, a good and long jump required an adequate starting position. A special jumping technique was used, which differed between the high jump and the long jump. There were some combined jumps as well, the examples of which can be traced in the following poems: The Wedding of Tsar Dušan, The Wedding of Sibinjanin Janko and The Wedding of King Vukašin.
“From the other side he came forward,
And took a run across the plain field,
Over three knight horses he jumped,
With three flaming swords on top of them…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 95].
When Voivoda Momčilo heard that
He shed tears down his hero face,
He jumped off his dun steed,
In three leaps he got to the city;
But the city gate was locked,
Locked and bolted…”
From the poem “The Wedding of King Vukašin” [10, p. 27].
“Do not worry, bridegroom Janko,
You will need me there,
So he took a run as a swallow,
And jumped over nine good horses,
Straight into the saddle of the tenth…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Sibinjanin Janko” [15].
Throwing the spear, and occasionally the mace, was a very important skill of the medieval heroes, often used in battles. Hurling a stone from the shoulder was a skill also described in poems, but it was used in competitions when the heroes were required to show who was stronger. This was a kind of qualification discipline, an exercise that distinguished the strong competitors from the weak ones. The distance achieved was the result of a strong body, especially arms and shoulders, and the hurling technique. It was also a good preparation for handling the mace or the sword, or carrying the shield. Throwing the mace was a somewhat more difficult discipline, because the heroes were expected to hit the target. It could be on the ground or in the air, or it could be a rider, for example. Considering its weight, the spear was the easiest to throw. The heroes threw it farthest, but they needed to be extra skillful and precise because there were no corrections, especially in battle. Any failure could be fatal for them.
“He flung his golden six-flanged mace:
So slightly did he strike him
That he knocked him out of his war saddle;”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 99].
“And the fair-faced Latin threw his spear
At Miloš, at the hero’s chest…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 94].
Fencing was used in battles and duels. Handling and fighting with sabers greatly emphasized the hero’s courage and skill at arms. The amount of attention given to fencing can be seen in the fact that knights themselves were present when their swords were forged and ornamented. Knowing their physical abilities, they even gave the swordsmiths instructions as to where to double the layer of their swords, or how to ornament them. The sword had to fit well into the knight’s hand, but it also had to be heavy enough to kill and light enough to handle. Very often, good swords were inherited inside the family, and were handed down to another generation. Even today there are preserved traditional fencing elements in certain competitions of the entertaining and promotional character. A good example is Ljubičevske Igre (Ljubicevske Games) organized in Ljubičevo, near Požarevac. There is a discipline where a cavalier in full gallop cuts a stuck spear, slashes watermelons on a stand, and finally hits the target with his sword. This is just one of the many examples of the saved traditional forms of physical exercises and competitions from the Nemanjić dynasty.
“Jabučilo the Steed trampled on more
Than Momčilo struck down with his sharp saber…”
From the poem “The Wedding of King Vukašin” [10, p. 27].
The bow and arrow were used in public all-around-competitions, or when heroes defended the honor of their masters or relatives. Shooting “an apple through the ring” was most frequently described. Bows and arrows were significantly improved in the Middle Ages. They could cripple the enemy at large distances without close contact. To hit the target with the bow and arrow was quite a skill. Precision was very important and only under that condition were the heroes efficient and could survive. Precision had also an entertaining character, which was even a part of the wedding ceremony. Similar customs have been preserved even to this day in some areas of our country. On the wedding day, as they come for the bride, the bridegroom and the best man have to shoot an apple at a very large distance. Only then can they enter the yard and take away the bride. A good marksman has always been respected. The best shooters are given the most precise weapons such as sniper guns, and some other important duties and responsibilities. This skill is not something inherited but it is gained by persistent exercise and constant improvement. Today, professional competitors train at least six hours a day.
“Miloš headed to the white tower,
Knocked an arrow upon the golden string,
Shot the apple through the ring,
Took it into his white hands,
And brought it to the honorable Tsar…”
From the poem “The Wedding of Tsar Dušan” [9, p. 96].
Wrestling, just as throwing the spear or the mace, was a very important skill and was used in the closing part of combat. In village games, young men wrestled in order to show their strength and skills. A good wrestler was always respected in the circles of Serbian heroes.
“They chipped away each other’s sabers,
Cut them all the way up to the handles;
Then they threw away what remained of them,
Jumped off their swift horses,
Grabbed each other by their white throats,
So the two dragons clashed
On the flats of Goleč Mountain,
And they fought all the summer’s day till noon…”
From the poem “Banović Strahinja” [10, p. 113].
Horsemanship was a very important and useful skill, especially so in duels and battles. A good horse, which was very fast, agile and strong enough to carry its rider, and also well trained for combat, was respected as the man’s best friend. Jumping over obstacles on the horse was a skill which showed the relationship and understanding between the horse and its rider. For this discipline the horse had to be well trained and drilled, and the rider had to be very skillful. An example of a well trained horse with the rider is seen in the discipline of the gallop with the relay of mail-bags. It is a very simple discipline at first sight, but when it is considered that the rider has to dismount, switch the mail-bag with the horse standing still beside him, mount again and break into gallop, one can see that it can also be very difficult. Only the most skillful horses and riders can win in this discipline.
“Then he jumped on his knight horse’s back
And flew off like a gray falcon…”
From the poem “The Wedding of of Sibinjanin Janko” [15].
Hunting was a favorite pastime for the aristocracy and it was organized only on Sundays. Greyhounds followed their masters, while falcons were used in bird hunting. The nobility hunted big game and it was not only entertainment, but also a practical military activity, since the precision of shooting at game could prove very useful in duels and battles.
“Every morning on the holy Sunday
Early he goes hunting in the Lakes…”
From the poem “The Wedding of King Vukašin” [10, p. 23].
The main occupation of West European nobility were war and hunting. Both activities required thorough training in handling arms, horse riding, and high levels of physical abilities (strength, speed, endurance and agility) which were possible to obtain only through systematic physical exercise [7]. A variety of weapons was used in hunting, such as short spear, axe, knife, bow and arrow. It is interesting that women took part in falconry.
Cited types of exercise from the time of the House of Nemanjić were also seen in Europe in the form of the knightly skills (riding, swimming, hunting, archery, fighting with sword and spear, and wrestling).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Secular culture of medieval Serbia included two important factors: literacy of laymen and the knightly cult in its practical form. The skill at arms was a necessity and a diversion at the same time, and was modified in sport and contest. Exercising and training in the use of arms were a part of general lifestyle. Professional soldiers were expected to train regularly and to gather occasionally for joined training and learning.
Physical exercise in Europe as a part of education was mostly represented in the upbringing of knights, and later of craftsmen’s and merchants’ children. The knights’ education comprised the abovementioned knightly skills. The main goal of developing those skills was to make people ready and able to protect faith, the sovereign, and a lady.
The House of Nemanjić ruled Serbia for over 200 years (1166-1371) as the most important medieval Serbian governing dynasty. Their importance in Serbian history comes from the fact that during their reign the establishment of the independent medieval Serbian state was accomplished, with its greatest territorial, economical and cultural influence, as well as that of Serbian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
Serbian people were ready for the Middle Ages. In their own country, in a sophisticated and enlightened monarchy, battles, war and military service in peace were regulated by laws. The law books written by St. Simeon and St. Sava also incorporated military law, which regulated military service and the whole system of defense. These laws must have been valid for a long time, because Stefan the First-Crowned quoted them, and some 150 years later Tsar Dušan’s Code confirmed and improved military rights and obligations.
A philosophical basis for fighting as well as the moral and ethic principles were drawn up by Rastko Nemanjić (St. Sava). This set of beliefs was very different from all other fighting systems, because its main features were humanity, struggle for justice, non-aggression, and self-defense. It very strictly forbade crossing the limit which distinguished good from evil, God from the devil.
Along with the development of the society itself, through ancestor cult, mythology, and under the great influence of fairy tales, epic poetry developed in Serbia. Its main aim was to save the memory of the ancestors and the brave warriors who by their brave deeds endowed the people. Epic poetry was the greatest achievement of Serbian literature, while it is also a source of information on the medieval social circumstances and types of physical exercise and training at the same time.
The reason why epic poetry deserves our special attention lies in its value and its specific character. Although it contains numerous hyperboles, which were necessary to maintain the spirit of freedom in the enslaved people, it can be used for a study into types of physical exercising in this period. All exercise was actually directed to strengthening young people’s physical abilities, as well as fortifying patriotism, courage, bravery, determination and honor. Types of physical exercise had a direct influence on developing the spirit of heroism and manliness. Some forms of physical exercise had a prominent entertaining character (climbing walls, riding, running and jumping), while others had an immediate military and practical value (throwing the mace and the spear, fencing, marksmanship, wrestling, horsemanship, and hunting). We can conclude with great certainty that these types of physical exercises were dominant in developing the psycho-physical ability in Serbian knights.
These forms of physical exercise were strongly connected to the tradition of preserving and cultivating folk customs. As people lived in villages, far away from cities, and occasionally far even from the Ottoman invaders, the most popular kinds of entertainment for young people were dancing (combined country-dance which is the basic form of dancing) and competitions in board jump, hurling a stone from the shoulder, wrestling, swimming and diving. These forms of folk competitions can be seen even today during celebrations in some villages.
http://sjss-sportsacademy.edu.rs/archive/details/full/types-of-physical-exercise-in-medieval-serbia-xii-xiv-century-128.html