Courtly Games

History 

A Medieval Game Involving Chips/Coins (5)

When we think about games in the modern era, our thoughts immediately drift towards video games and traditional board games. Mass produced and widely popular amongst American households, these types of games are drastically different than their predecessor. Although games and activities have come a long way since their start, there are similarities that lie between the two. Similarly to the medieval time period, games are meant to fill our pastime with amusement. 

There's a reason medieval times are called the Dark Ages; these times are full of war and violence. Even amongst all the chaos, people still found a way to have fun and entertain themselves much more often than you would think. Games and entertainment were a very popular pastime for many, so it only makes sense that there are so many different forms. Since these games are played in a rather violent time period, it causes the games themselves to be rough and physical. This idea can be seen in jousts, tournaments, and hunting. Although activities such as these were very popular amongst individuals during this time period, much calmer alternatives such as board games were another way to past the time. 

 Two Separate Classes 

Game Pieces made of Bone (1)

In medieval society, people were split into two classes: the peasants and the nobility. Within these classes, people generally only interacted with others from their class. This meant that the two classes were divided in almost every way, including their versions of entertainment. Although they had major differences, the two classes shared one common interest: games. The peasants were very poor, so they had to find cheap and simple ways to have fun. On top of that, these people had to work all day, meaning that they were tired and overrun when they did have time to themselves. The games they played involved cheap and easy-to-find materials that could be made in a pinch. If the individuals were too poor or could not find the materials needed to play a game, they could entertain themselves with games that
didn’t require any pieces at all. Examples of these games are still around in today’s modern society, such as Hide n’ Seek or tag. 

Also, many of the games played during the Middle Ages were able to be modified based on the class it is being played in. This meant that game pieces and boards were crafted out of all different types of material. Game pieces used by the less well-of, including these two (1) found recently in Northampton, were fashioned of less lavish materials, such as antler and bone, and were less ornate. As long as the pieces being used in the game were able to be distinguished as a certain player’s pieces, they were effective in mimicking the real, more ornate pieces. 

Playing Cards from 1430-1540 (5)

 Board Games

Piece Found in 1831 (4)

Merels was one of the most popular games played amongst people in the Middle Ages. In order to play, all that is required is the board and a few pieces. This game was specifically popular with the peasants due to its ability to be drawn in the dirt and include game pieces (morrells) made up of almost anything as long as each player has at least nine. Merels boards carved into the stone and wood of a variety of medieval buildings, both secular and religious, are a testament to the popularity of the game (3). In fact, the game was so popular that it is still around in today’s society. The name of the game has been changed to Nine Men's Morris, but the premise of is still the same with the goal to place three of the same pieces in a row. The level of difficulty can be modified based on the number of squares and pieces used in the game, changing the name as well. (i.e. Three Men’s Morris, Six Men’s Morris, etc.) 

Closer View (4)

Another board game that was extremely popular in the Middle Ages was chess because of its popularity among the nobility, starting in the 12th century. In fact, chess was so popular that in the 'Disciplina Clericalis' ('Training School for the Clergy'), Petrus Alfonsi (Spain, 1062-1120) gave the seven accomplishments of a knight as riding, swimming, archery, boxing, hawking, chess, and verse writing (2). Although the game had some controversy as it was seen by some as a sin due to its relation with gambling, it allowed individuals to spend their free time challenging their brain. Chess was sometimes played with dice and often used to gamble during the Middle Ages, although the more common view of chess was that it was both different from and superior to games involving dice (3). A hoard of 78 pieces were found in 1831 in the parish of Uig on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides in what was described as a 'subterranean' chamber (4). Eleven pieces from the same find are in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland in Edinburgh. The chess pieces consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales’ teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks. Due to their elaborate construction and polished material, these pieces most likely belonged to a member of the nobility. There are many reasons as to why chess rose to such popularity during the middle ages, although the most obvious one is the fact that chess is a game requiring skill and intelligence. 

Summary 

Games played during the Middle ages varied in difficulty and popularity. Although some were specific to the nobility or peasants, many had the ability to be modified based on need. Just like in today’s society, people like to stay entertained. Whether this be through violent activities such as jousting or calm games such as chess, people have always found a way to keep themselves busy.

Further Information

♙To learn how to play many of the games listed in this blog and more, click HERE.

♙To visit the Met Museum website and view the exhibit along with hand-painted playing cards from the Late Middle Ages, click HERE.

 

Works Cited 

(1) “Artifact.(Medieval European Chess Pieces).” Archaeology, vol. 68, no. 2, Mar. 2015, p. 72.EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspn?direct=true&db=edscpi&AN=edscpi.A405759008&site=eds-live&scope=site.

(2) Chess in the Middle Ages. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mark-weeks.com/aboutcom/aa06e13.htm

(3) Handbook of Medieval Culture. Volume 1. Germany, De Gruyter, 2015.

(4) Medieval Europe. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/galleries/medieval-europe

(5) The World in Play: Luxury Cards, 1430–1540. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2020, from      https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2016/world-in-play/