La Joute is a European jacquard wall tapestry portraying the medieval joust. The first tournaments are attributed to Geoffrey de Preuilly circa 1000. Yet, it is only during the 12th century that they became very popular. Gathered around the royal family, the court attends those jousts. The tournaments give the nobility the opportunity to stand up for their banners and show their bravery. Accompanied with banquets and dances, these tournaments represent all the medieval characters. aithful interpretation of the wall tapestry, Une Descente de Tournoi a la Fin du XV Siecle, drawn by Jean-Paul Laurens (1838- 1921). Alloted to the guards room decoration at the Public Records Office, the original tapestry was woven at the Royal Manufacture of Gobelins from 1895 to 1899. Highly stylized, this epic composition can be compared with the sumptuous middle-ages frescoes.