Games in the Middle Ages

One of the largest forms of entertainment in the Middle Ages was, of course, games. Though not as technically impressive as one might argue of today, the human universal of recreational time and fun-seeking has certainly stood the test of time. Some of the most well-known and beloved games of our time stem from this period, and were enjoyed just the same. For example...

Board and Strategy Games

Chess

Considerably the most renowned game stemming from the Medieval time period. Though according to David Parletts "Oxford History of Board Games", the rules of Chess has moderately developed since Medieval times. Originally, the Queen piece could only move one diagonal space at a time, rather than seven spaces in any direction. A bishop could only move two diagonal spaces at a time, instead of seven as well. Pawns could only move one space, regardless of if it is the first turn or not (since nowadays they can move two spaces on the first turn). While currently they can be traded for any captured piece (minus the King) when reaching the opposite side of the board, back then only a Queen could be used in its place (1).

Chess pieces were often carved from ivory or walrus tusk, as seen in the famed Lewis Chessmen set above, crafted circa 1150-1200 in Europe (5). Of course, elaborate sets like these were owned and passed around by nobility and were seen as a sign of "courtliness and chivalry" (5). Instead, chess boards could be drawn-out or even painted on manuscript or tables, creating more accessible versions. Take this example on the left from the late medieval manuscript De ludo scachorum by Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli (6).

It is important to note here that the pieces depicted here are black and red- not black and white. Colors of red or even blue were used much more often to represent chess during this time period (4). On some accounts, Medieval courts would "play a life-size version of the game", people wearing costumes representing Chess's various pieces on a checkered floor (2).

Nine Men's Morris

This game dates back as early as the Roman era, the Game Crafters at Berkley University pointing out that the name "Morris" stems from the Latin word "merellus"; "the corruption of counters" (3). This is in regard to the fact that each player will begin with nine game pieces. Essentially, the goal of Nine Men's Morris is taking turns filling up the board with each player's nine pieces, then strategically moving said pieces across the board in an attempt to capture the pieces of the opposing player (4). 

 Nine Men's Morris became increasingly popular during the Middle Ages, partly because the board's design could be recreated anywhere (in the same vein as tic-tac-toe). From engravings on pieces of stray wood or even drawn in the dirt (3), the possibilities were endless: note the photo on the right showcasing a Nine Men's Norris board carved into the back of Charlemagne's Throne in Aachen, Germany. Otherwise, the game could often be found on the opposing side of Chess board boxes, paired with backgammon and other similar games (3).

Interested in playing yourself? Here is a link to a functioning online version of Nine Men's Morris with given instructions. You are able to play against a computer, or with a friend on the same device.

Dice and Gambling

Glückshaus (Luck's House/House of Fortune) and Games of Seven

    A gambling/drinking game which has evolved tremendously throughout time, and has taken on a great number of variations. Though Glückshaus and its' variants originated from Germany, its' popularity quickly grew throughout the rest of Europe. It is what Jonas Richter among other board game scholars consider a part of the "Games of Seven": "games played with two six-sided dice and a stake board with fields usually numbered 2-12, often with an emphasized 7". Though found throughout time with much variation, the general rules are so: 

The numbers on the dye correlate with the eleven spaces on the board. Throughout most game variations, there are nearly always eleven spaces regardless of numbers/symbols used. If one rolls a particular number, one places a piece with a preset monetary value on that space. If there is already a piece there, you collect. The 7th space is designed with a symbol of two interlocking wedding rings, and every player must set a piece on that space if rolled. The 2nd space is designed with a "lucky" pig symbol, allowing the player to collect all pieces on the board (minus the wedding space pool). If one rolls a 12, which is a space designed with a symbol of a King's crown, the player is able to collect all pieces from the board. The game continues indefinitely, so play wisely! (7, 8).

Boards found over time present different set-ups, peculiarly the eventual removal of the fourth space which resulted in skipping a turn if rolled (7). In the earliest iterations, the center of the board containing the "7" space held a drawing of a chalice instead of rings, with some later-printed directions pointing its' function towards that of a drinking game (7). This chalice variant can be seen in the image above, of a 15th century board within the Bayerisches National Museum.

Hazard

A gambling dice game you may have heard of if you've ever read Geoffery Chaucer's Canterbury Tales from the 14th Century, though Hazard is said to have existed around the 13th century or earlier (10). Dice games were especially popular among knights and soldiers, as only one thing is required- a pair of dice!- which are (of course) small and easy to take anywhere on one's travels (9).

An early 16th century calendar featuring a dice game called ‘raffle’ (12).

Though one of the most popular dice gambling games of the Medieval era- particularly due to its accessibility- Hazard's high-stakes nature made it highly controversial at the time: "Dice in particular epitomized all the ills of gambling..." (9). Often, Hazard and other dice games were the main subject of pamphlets and treaties spread publically meant to dissuade its play. Dr. Fang of École Polytechnique lists a variety of literature of the time discussing the subject, such as "A Manifest detection of the most vyle and detestable use of diceplay and other practises lyke the same" from 1555. Reasons against "dicing" as it is referred to include not only the disputes and fights which might've occured as a result of the game, but for religious dissent as well. Fears were that dicing led "players to appeal to God’s providence for an unworthy purpose" (9). Eventually, Hazard evolved over the centuries into the gambling game we today know as "craps".

As the game is considerably complicated, I present to you a Youtube video from The Raven's Table regarding more of Hazard's history as well as a breakdown of instructions (11). His channel has an endless amount of videos detailing the history and play of various Medieval games (including the ones which I have mentioned here), so if this interests you at all I implore that you check it out!

Sources:

1.) Parlett, David. The Oxford History of Board Games. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1999.

2.) Christenson, Tracy. "Medieval Chess", Historical Games, https://historicalgames.neocities.org/Medieval/chess#:~:text=During%20the%20Middle%20Ages%2C%20the,for%20queens%20(Parlett%20302), 2016.

3.)  Fong, Patricia, et al. "Nine Men's Morris", GamesCrafters UCBerkley, http://gamescrafters.berkeley.edu/games.php?game=ninemensmorris, accessed 5 September, 2023.

4.) Pattie, Tammy. "Medieval Games and Recreation", Eastern Illinois University, https://castle.eiu.edu/reading/MEDIEVALGAMES.pdf, 2011.

5.) "The Queen's Gambit: how the Lewis Chessmen won the world over.", The British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/queens-gambit-how-lewis-chessmen-won-world-over, 16 March 2021.

6.) "Medieval Chess Boards", St. Thomas Guild, https://thomasguild.blogspot.com/2014/01/medieval-chess-boards.html, 26 January 2014.

7.) Richter, Jonas. "The Game of Seven: Glückshaus and Related Dice Games.", Board Game Studies Journal. 13. 67-97. 10.2478/bgs-2019-0004, Oct. 2019.

8.) Craig, Jenny. "Gluckhaus", Denison University Archives, http://exhibits.denisonarchives.org/exhibits/show/artbooks/item/114, accessed 5 September, 2023.

9.)  Fang, Par Louise. "Playing Dice at Agincourt: Games of Hazard and Providence in Shakespeare’s Henry V", Shakespeare en devenir, 10 Feb. 2022, https://shakespeare.edel.univ-poitiers.fr/index.php?id=2728#tocto1n110.

10.) Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Hazard", Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/hazard-dice-game.

11.) "Hazard - How to play & History of the game" Youtube, uploaded by The Raven's Table, 27 Jun. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LngEnejrm0s.

12.) "Raffle", Medieval Recipes, circa 16th c., https://www.medieval-recipes.com/medieval-gambling/, accessed 7 Sept. 2023.