Depending on the main, a roller nicks wins or outs loses. After 3 outs, the roller changes. This game meaning literally dice in Arabic and its far-Asian counterpart Sic Bo high-low was one of the most played games in 13th century Europe.
Hazard is the predecessor of the modern game craps, which is a simplified version of this rather convoluted medieval gambling game. Whoever takes the box and dice places his money in the centre of the table — this is at once covered with an equal amount either by some individual speculator, or by the contributions of several.
The player now continues throwing until the event is determined by the turning up of either the main or the chance. During this time, however, a most important feature in the game comes into operation—the laying and taking of the odds caused by the relative proportions of the main and the chance. These, as has been said, are calculated with mathematical exactness, are proclaimed by the groom-porter, and are never varied.
In the above instance, as the caster stands to win with 5 and to lose with 7, the odds are declared to be 3 to 2 against him, inasmuch as there are three ways of throwing 7, and only two of throwing 5.
As soon as the odds are declared, the caster may increase his stake by any sum he wishes, and the other players may cover it by putting down in this instance two-thirds of the amount, the masse, or entire sum, to await the turning up of either main or chance. This medieval gambling game of Highest Points was simple and straightforward — maybe too simple, since a game of chance should not be a game of boredom.
People tended to play Highest Points less often than either Hazard or Passe-dix. There is a funny medieval French story in which a minstrel is brought to hell by a demon and gets left in charge of all the souls there, while the devils go out looking for more souls.
Introduction to Life in a Medieval Castle. Rooms in a Medieval Castle. Medieval Clothing. Medieval Drinks. Medieval Gardens. Medieval Warfare:. Medieval Taxes. In addition to toys and games, sports and sporting events provided entertainment in the Middle Ages. Children played running games like tag and hide and seek. Popular among adults were tournaments and jousting. These dangerous sports involved use of swords, daggers, and lances, and were seen as practice of military skill.
Tournaments were extremely dangerous activities and the competitors were viewed as a sort of celebrity. It was not uncommon for competitors to be severely wounded or die during a tournament. Because of the skill and bravery required for jousting and other tournament events, these often drew large crowds and involved a sort of fair or fete.
Archery competitions were also very common, and general skill with a bow and arrows were necessary for survival in the Middle Ages. Hunting, both with birds and on horseback, was a common sport because it provided entertainment and also fulfilled the need for food.
As with so many other aspects of medieval life, the emphasis on practicality permeated the realm of entertainment. Materials were not wasted on toys and many games required minimal materials.
Also, for children, games were not particularly gender specific allowing for more participants with less equipment. For adult games and sports, the most popular emphasized real-world skills and favoured men — there were few sports in which women could participate. Made in Milan, Italy. Sermons and treatises condemning card games make it clear that usually gambling was involved, which authorities felt all too often resulted in violence and penury.
Other games had trump cards based on social ranks, the higher trumping the lower. In one variation, however, the reverse was the rule—a twist that, no doubt, did not please the authorities.
Left: A nun and a monk playing cards while the monk clutches a bag of money. This imagery appears to be a poke at the purported hypocrisy of the Catholic Church in post-Reformation eyes. German, Nuremberg. Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg.
Right: Two women attack a young man with a pitchfork and distaff, the unwelcome consequence of an illicit entanglement. Peter Flotner German, — Made in Nuremberg, Germany.
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