The Middle Ages: Closer Than You Think on Instagram: "These images come from the Freydal Tournament Book, a richly illustrated manuscript commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I in the early 16th century. The book depicts many forms of tournament combat — including jousts and mounted events — but the scenes shown here focus specifically on foot combat. They illustrate sword and polearm fighting in full armor, with shields and specialized tournament weapons. Although highly decorative, the illustrat