Depicted occasionally in manuscript references, most of the 14th century examples seem to have taken place during a
siege . The gateway to a
castle is opened, after a wooden barricade, resembling a conventional wooden fence, has been set up around the opening. This serves to keep the castle from being overrun during the "
à plaisance " engagement. In the surviving illustration,
knights compete with
spears only, on foot. Some of them are wounded, but there are no serious injuries. During the 15th century combats over the barriers became a part of the
pas dâarmes , gaining in popularity as the century progressed. They remained in fashion even during the 16th century, when elaborate garnitures were constructed.
