Final answer:
The claim that only those who held the rank of knight were allowed to compete in tournaments is false; over time, tournaments became more inclusive, allowing lower-ranking individuals to participate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that no one below the rank of knight could compete is False. In medieval times, tournaments were indeed a privilege that was initially reserved mainly for the nobility, but over time this exclusive arrangement became more relaxed. As tournaments grew in popularity, they became not just a pastime of the elite, but also a spectacle for the public. Furthermore, the scenario of lower-ranking individuals, such as squires, competing in tournaments for the chance to be knighted or even knighted men of lower socioeconomic status competing was not unheard of. Participation could be based on one's skill at arms and the ability to afford the equipment rather than solely on noble birth and rank.