"Halca" - romanian war games / turnir?, Medieval history

[Iamandi]

I read from manny times about "halca", but just things like - "Ion Vasile" was verry good at halca, and impressed with his abilityes. What was "halca"? From what i imagine, was a local equivalent from turnir, but with what kind of "probe"?

Iama

[Iamandi]

I found something: halca was a romanian traditionall contest for cavalry, they will came in speed and with a spear they try to hit in the center of a ring suspended high from a tree. That increase the skills, like target practice for archers.

When was organised a turnir, at "halca" participate foreign soldiers and appears that romanian had a monopole in winning this game. I think this was because.. was something like a national sport. Like "oina".

Iama

[Olaf The Viking]

I found something about "halca" or "halcaua":

"Catre sfirsitul sec. al XVI-lea in Moldova si Tara Romaneasca, apare un joc numit "halcaua" (in turceste cuvantul halca, inseamna inel sau veriga de fier) in care un calaret din goana calului trebuia sa culeaga un inel suspendat de creanga unui copac sau de un stalp. Unul dintre cei mai priceputi jucatori de halca din anul 1568 a fost Bogdan, fiul lui Alexandru Lapusneanu si apoi  Dimitrie, fiul lui Voda Cantemir."
(Aproximativ translation: The game appeared in sec XVI in Moldova and Valahia. The word "halca" means in turkish a steel ring. The purpose of the game was to ride towards a tree and pick up the ring. Bogdan, son of Alexandru Lapusneanu was one of the famous player of the year 1568. And then Dimitrie, son of King Cantemir).

Do you have more information about "halca"? I like to built a small diorama with this subject.

This post has been edited by Olaf The Viking on August 25, 2005 08:14 am

[Iamandi]

Unfortunately i don't know much more. Your post have more than i know, so, maybe others can supply some informations.

Iama

[Olaf The Viking]

Your post on "halca" gave me the ideea to built this diorama:
http://site.neogen.ro/macheteolaf01/files/pp_163929.html

[dragos]

Very nice diorama Olaf !

[Olaf The Viking]

Thank you! Now I'm working at a diorama about romans and dacians.