It was only recently discovered that historians have, for hundreds of years, been misinterpreting this image and many others like it. While originally thought to be a depiction of two knights mid-joust, this painting actually commemorates the 23rd annual "Fatally Silly Hat Competition". During this competition the brave or the foolhardy would craft hats of such brutal silliness as to render them physically harmful to others simply by proximity. Their weapons, thus crafted and placed upon their heads, the two contestants would charge at one another on horse back until one fell from his horse, dead or at least badly over sillied.

Unfortunately the sport was banned after an unrelated lance accident ended up propelling one of the hats up and into the crowd near the king's personal viewing box. Dozens died instantaneously and the king laughed himself comatose, never to recover. Even the Prince, who took only a momentary, glancing blow, never fully recovered. He is reported to have occasionally broke out in giggling fits even years later, gasping between laughs about "Feathers arranged in a way most queer."