What do we call a medieval gathering where knights compete?

The story behind the answer

Medieval knightly competitions were organized as large events featuring multiple contests—most famously the joust, but also group combats called melees. That overall gathering was the tournament. A melee is just one format within it, a chaotic mock battle between teams; a pageant is a ceremonial display or procession, not combat; and a wine drinking contest isn’t a historical chivalric sport.

Originating in 12th-century France, these events served as training and as social-political theaters: knights won prestige, horses, and ransoms, while rulers showcased power. Over time, rules, heraldry, and barriers (“lists”) made them safer and more spectator-friendly, shifting from rough war games to choreographed displays of chivalry.