What Did People in the Middle Ages Do for Fun?

The Middle Ages were a period of time in England, between the times known as the Dark Ages and the Renaissance. The Middle Ages took place between the years 1066 through 1485 and are said to encompass one of the most turbulent periods in the country of England. Yet, despite this turbulence, people did a number of things during the Middle Ages for fun.

People in the Middle Ages participated in sports and played games for fun. These games included card games and board games, some of which are still popular with people today. Some of the games could be played with other people, and some were played on ones own.

Sports Played During the Middle Ages

People who lived during the Middle Ages were living during one of the most tumultuous periods in the country of England. Therefore, it makes sense that they came up with things to do in order to have fun.

People also had fun with activities that took place outdoors. Some of the sports that people participated in included:

• Archery – Archery contests were very popular during this time period.
• Bowls - This was similar to what we call bocci ball today.
• Colf – This was an original form of the modern day game we call golf.
• Gameball – This game was similar to modern day football, however, it was not as complicated.
• Hammer – This is a sport that required throwing a large object to see who could throw it the farthest.
• Hurling or Shinty – This is a similar game to modern day hockey.
• Horseshoes – The same game that is played today, horseshoes are thrown at predetermined target for points.
• Quarter – Contests of staff
• Skittles – A version of modern bowling
• Stoolball – An older version of cricket
• Wrestling – Similar to modern day wrestling

Board Games and Card Games

In addition to outside sports, people of the Middle Ages are also known for inventing the first versions of some of the popular board games and card games that we play today. These card and board games include:

• Chess – They played exactly the same version as what we play today.
• Tables – This is what they called the game of backgammon during the Middle Ages.
• Nine Men’s Morris - An abstract board game that started in Egypt.
• Alquerques – This was an ancestor of checkers and a popular strategy game during the time period.
• Fox & Geese – Another game of strategy popular during this time period.
• The Philosopher’s Game – Another game of strategy that involved numbers.
• Shovelboard – This was an ancient version of modern day shuffleboard.
• Knucklebones – This was an early game that involved using dice.
• Hazard – This was an ancient version of the game craps.

Other Forms of Fun

There were other forms of fun or entertainment that people of the Middle Ages enjoyed as well.

• This included being entertained by jesters and minstrels.
• Fun also included attending plays, participating in or attending jousts and other types of tournaments, going to feasts and banquets, and attending fairs.
• Still other forms of leisure activity came in the form of hunting, hawking, and watching animals, such as dogs, bears, and monkeys, perform. 

So, now you know what people in the Middle Ages did for fun.