[Michael Long]

The maille feature and scattered other sources around the internet make offhand references to 12th Century tournaments being fought with sharp lances.

Could anyone share some good sources that discuss this issue, and perhaps comment on the prevalence of sharp vs rebated lances? I presume that with the advent of the 13th Century there was an increasing trend towards blunting the heads.

Has anyone come across any references to the level of restraint expected by the participants of these early tournaments? How much of a faux pas would it be to skewer your opponent's horse? Were you only expected to bring home a couched lance attack when they had the chance to cover themselves with a shield? There were reigning kings taking place in these tournies, so did anyone ever face consequences for wounding the royalty?