Medieval Games and Recreation
indulged in a number of games and recreation, when the often harsh daily
life permitted a break. Chess was widely popular and often a source of
gambling entertainment; both in the traditional format and in a simpler
version played with dice. Dice were easy to carry and were played in all
ranks of society, even among the clergy.
Some games played during the Middle Ages, including bowling, prisoner's
base, blind man's bluff (also called hoodman's blind), and simple "horseplay"
are still played today. Checkers were a popular pastime, as was backgammon.
Children wrestled, swam, fished and played a game that was a cross between
tennis and handball. Medieval knights would incorporate training in recreation,
performing gymnastics and running foot races.
Spectators in the Middle Ages were often drawn to cockfights and bullbaiting.
The preferred recreation for most adults was drinking in the local tavern.
At harvest time, villagers would bob for apples and go on hunts in the
surrounding forests, if the castle lord permitted. Hawks were trained
to hunt game birds and every medieval castle had a falconer, assigned
to train young birds for this sport.
Medieval Christmas games included "King of the Bean," where a small bean
would be baked inside bread or cake, and the one who found it in their
portion would be crowned king of the holiday feast.