The tableaux de bataille is an imaginative and spectacular contest that is very popular with the Bretonnian ladies. The tableaux usually has an elaborate theatrical setting inspired by one of the many chansons, the troubadours' songs which tell of the legendary feats of arms of various paladins of Bretonnian chivalry. This contest is held on the last day of the tourney. The winners of the previous day's jousting challenge the Black Knight in turn, in order to win the top prize. The Black Knight is the best Knight of the dukedom, chosen by the Duke himself, disguised in black armour with no identifying heraldry. He usually unhorses several challengers before someone succeeds in beating him to win the prize!

If the prize of the tourney is the hand of a fair damsel, the heiress to a vacant feudal domain, a mock dungeon tower is set up on the tourney field, surrounded by a moat, over which is a drawbridge The lady plays the role of a 'damsel in distress' locked up in the tower. She leans out of the window shouting encouragement to the Knights trying to rescue her. Each challenger tries in turn to cross over the drawbridge and reach the tower to rescue the damsel. Whoever succeeds wins the prize. Unfortunately you can only cross the drawbridge by unhorsing the Black Knight who is the guardian of the tower.

If the prize of the tourney is an enchanted relic, the contenders and spectators make a splendid procession over to a nearby stone circle on the morning before the contest, which is held in the afternoon. This will be the same place where trials by combat are customarily held. The prize is placed in the middle of the circle on an altar stone. There is only one way into the circle, between two large stones wide enough apart to admit a rider on horseback. Guarding the circle is the Black Knight who cannot leave the circle. Each challenger enters the circle in turn. The only way to claim the prize is to unhorse the Black Knight.