Date:
14th century (Trecento period, c. 1350)

Description:
Amoroso is a short Italian dance from the 14th century, likely a ballata or estampie style instrumental piece. It exemplifies the lively and graceful character of secular dance music in the Italian Trecento, with a flowing melodic line and rhythmic vitality.

Discussion:
The piece appears in the London Manuscript Add. 29987, one of the primary sources of medieval Italian instrumental music. Like other works from this manuscript, Amoroso is monophonic and was likely played on instruments such as the vielle, recorder, or lute, possibly with improvised accompaniment. While the composer is unknown, the music reflects the courtly elegance of the time and is suitable for both dance and listening contexts. Its title, “Amoroso” (loving, affectionate), suggests a gentle, perhaps flirtatious character.

Date:
Late 16th century (published 1589)

Description:
“Belle qui tiens ma vie” is a charming and elegant French pavane composed by Thoinot Arbeau, featured in his famous dance manual Orchésographie. The piece is both a dance and a love song, expressing devotion to a beloved with courtly grace. Its slow, stately rhythm and lyrical phrasing make it ideal for Renaissance dance performances and vocal or instrumental ensembles.

Discussion:
This pavane exemplifies the late Renaissance blend of music and movement—Orchésographie includes dance instructions alongside the music, suggesting how it would have been used at court. The song is strophic, with each verse set to the same melody, making it easy to learn and perform. It has become a favorite in early music circles and is often adapted for voice, recorder consorts, or lutes.

Date:
Early 17th century (c. 1600–1615)

Description:
“Black Alman” (or “Black Almain”) is a stately instrumental dance in almain (allemande) style, popular in England during the late Renaissance and early Baroque period. Often attributed to composers like Anthony Holborne or Thomas Morley, it was a well-known tune performed at courtly events, masques, and social gatherings. Its elegant, steady rhythm and clear structure made it ideal for formal dancing.

Discussion:
The almain was a duple-meter dance of German origin, adapted into English court life with a more measured and graceful character. “Black Alman” survives in several lute and keyboard manuscripts, and is frequently arranged for viols, recorders, or mixed consorts. While the origin of the “black” in the title is uncertain, it may refer to black attire traditionally worn for formal dances, or simply to distinguish it from other almains.
Composer:
Anonymous (sometimes attributed to Thomas Morley or Anthony Holborne)

Date:
Late 16th century (likely composed around 1590)

Description:
The “Earl of Essex Measure” is a stately, elegant English court dance from the late Renaissance period. This piece was likely composed in honour of Robert Devereux, the 2nd Earl of Essex, a prominent figure in the Elizabethan court. As a “measure,” it is a slower, more graceful dance compared to faster forms like the galliard.

Discussion:
The “Earl of Essex Measure” is a fine example of Elizabethan courtly dance music, designed for a slow and stately dance often performed in the noble courts of England. While the authorship of the piece is uncertain, it remains an important part of the early English dance tradition. The music is characterised by its simple, yet expressive structure, making it ideal for performance on keyboard instruments such as the virginal or harpsichord, as well as for small instrumental ensembles. The piece may also be performed on stringed instruments such as the lute or viol.

Date: Late 16th century

Description:
Horses Bransle (or Branle des Chevaux) is a lively French dance from the Renaissance period, characterised by its mimetic elements—dancers imitate the movements of horses through rhythmic hopping and stamping. It was often performed in a line or circle, making it a popular social dance.

Discussion:
This bransle is part of a larger collection of branles described by Thoinot Arbeau in his 1589 dance manual Orchesography. The dance is playful and accessible, making it a favourite for both historical performance groups and educational settings.

Date:
Early 17th century (first published c. 1612)

Description:
The Lorraine Alman is an instrumental dance piece from the Liber Primus Leviorum Carminum, a collection of lighter, dance-related works from the early 17th century. The Alman is typically performed in a moderate duple time and is characterised by its lively, yet stately rhythm, suitable for courtly dance settings. The piece reflects the fusion of English and continental dance styles of the period, blending the German-originated Alman form with regional influences like those from Lorraine.

Date:
Late 14th century (exact date unknown)

Description:
Ly Bens Distonys is an English medieval dance or song often classified as a ballad or a lieder. The piece is noted for its playful and somewhat humorous treatment of a subject, as well as its repetitive and simple musical structure, characteristic of late medieval English song forms. The title roughly translates to “The Ben’s Distonys” or “Ben’s Troubles,” with “Bens” likely being a reference to a character (possibly an abbreviation or nickname).

Date:
Late 16th century

Description:
Madam Cecilia’s Alman, alternatively named Madam Sosilia’s Alman, is a lively Renaissance dance piece, belonging to the family of Almain or Alman dances. This particular piece is named after Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music, a common reference in Renaissance music, especially when dedicated to notable figures or occasions. The Alman is a slow or moderate-paced dance in duple time, often used in social gatherings and courtly settings. Madam Cecilia’s Alman is a bright, spirited composition that captures the grace and elegance of the time.

Date:
Late 16th to early 17th century (c. 1599–1611)

Description:
“New Alman” is a popular English Renaissance dance tune, most famously associated with John Playford’s later The Dancing Master collections, though earlier manuscript versions exist. The term “Alman” (also spelled “Almain”) refers to a type of stately duple-time dance of German origin, adopted into English courtly and domestic repertoire. This piece is typically instrumental and features a graceful, measured rhythm suitable for courtly dance.

Date:
Late 16th century (likely composed c. 1590s)

Description:
The Queen’s Alman is a well-known example of a Renaissance dance, specifically an alman, which was a popular courtly dance in the late 16th century. The alman is generally a lively, upbeat dance in duple time (4/4), often characterised by its steady rhythm and lively, catchy melodies. This piece is attributed to John Dowland, one of the leading composers of the Renaissance period, known for his contributions to both vocal and instrumental music.

Date:
Late 14th century

Description:
Stella Splendens is a vibrant pilgrim song from the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat, a manuscript compiled circa 1399 at the monastery of Montserrat in Catalonia. The title translates to “Shining Star”, referring to the Virgin Mary, who is praised in the song as a beacon of light guiding pilgrims to her holy shrine.

Discussion:
This piece is one of the most well-known from the Llibre Vermell. It features a catchy, dance-like melody in a lively triple metre, making it ideal for group singing and processions. The song’s structure allows for responsorial or alternated performance and has been interpreted both as a monophonic piece and with added harmonies in modern settings.

Date:
Early 16th century

Description:
The Old Alman is an English folk tune often categorized as an alman, a popular type of dance music during the Renaissance period. It is lively and rhythmic, typically performed in a 4/4 time signature and known for its simple, repeating structure, which was common in dance music of the time.

Discussion:
The tune is attributed to be part of the repertoire in the early 16th century, and though its precise origin is unclear, it appears in several early music collections. Like other almans, The Old Alman was likely performed in both court and informal settings, often as part of a larger suite of dances. The alman was a staple of the Renaissance dance repertoire, and this particular tune was easy to play, making it accessible for both professional and amateur musicians.

Date:
Late 16th century

Description:
The Scottish Bransle (also spelled branle or brawl) is a Renaissance dance tune included in Thoinot Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589), a dance manual that describes popular dances of the time along with their music and choreography. Despite its name, the Scottish Bransle is not of Scottish origin but was inspired by French interpretations of Scottish musical style.

Discussion:
Bransles were group dances performed in a circle or line, often involving simple steps suitable for social gatherings. The Scottish Bransle is in duple time and features a repeating structure that aligns with the basic stepping pattern described by Arbeau. The tune is catchy and energetic, making it a favourite in early dance and music circles.

Date:
Late 15th century or early 16th century

Description:
Tinternell is a lively and well-known dance tune, often associated with the Renaissance period. It is commonly categorised as a volta, a type of dance in triple time. The melody is bright and repetitive, with a rhythmic structure that invites movement, making it a popular choice for court dances and festivities of the time.

Discussion:
The origins of Tinternell are somewhat unclear, though it is generally considered to be of German or Flemish origin. It was popular across Europe during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The piece appears in a number of Renaissance collections and is often arranged for both instrumental and vocal performances. Though it originally would have been played on instruments such as the lute or organ, modern renditions of Tinternell are often arranged for ensembles of early music instruments like viols, recorders, and other period instruments.

Date:
Late 16th century

Description:
Washerwoman’s Bransle (also known as Branle des Lavandières) is a lively French dance from the Renaissance period. It belongs to the family of branles—circle or line dances popular in court and country settings across France and beyond. This particular dance is light-hearted and humorous in character, often incorporating mimed movements of washing clothes, and is suitable for both performance and participatory dance events.

Discussion:
Collected in Thoinot Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589), a manual of Renaissance dance and music, Washerwoman’s Bransle is a fine example of music that was composed specifically to accompany dance steps. The music features a repetitive, bouncy rhythm well-suited to the mimed actions of the dance. It is typically played by a small consort of recorders, viols, or other Renaissance instruments, though it also works well for voices or mixed ensembles.

On of the projects I did over the past couple of years was knife-making. I made two sets of eating knives with prickers. Both times under the guidance of Master Edward Braythwayte

For each knife, I started with some steel bar that I copied the outline of the knife on. I then cut out the blank with an angle grinder.

Getting the basic shape .

Shaped worked out. I messed up slightly with the hilt end.

Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Dice
Period: 1500+

Glückshaus (German for “House of Fortune”) is a traditional dice game of luck and simple strategy. Played since the late Middle Ages, it uses a specially numbered board and two dice. Each number represents a “room” in the house, some of which have symbolic or festive meanings—most notably the Pig, Wedding, and King.

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History of Glückshaus

• Origins: Glückshaus originated in 15th or 16th century Germany, and became popular across Austria, Switzerland, and the Low Countries.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 116BC Ludus Latrunculorum, often simply called Latrones or the Game of Brigands, was a strategic Roman board game of tactics and capture, bearing resemblance to both chess and draughts. Though the full rules have been lost, a compelling reconstruction has been developed from literary and archaeological sources.

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History of Ludus Latrunculorum

• Origins: Roman Empire, possibly adapted from earlier Greek games like Petteia or Poleis.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Board
Period: 1400BC+

Three Men’s Morris Also known as 3 Men’s Morris, Tapatan (in the Philippines), or Tic-Tac-Toe’s clever cousin, this is the most compact and swift version of the Morris games. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and ideal for young learners or fast, strategic duels.

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History of Three Men’s Morris

• Ancient Beginnings: Archaeological finds suggest Three Men’s Morris is among the oldest known board games, with roots possibly stretching back to early Egypt, Greece, and India. Boards scratched into stone slabs have been uncovered in temples and ancient homes.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 14th Century

Twelve Men’s Morris (also known as 12 Men’s Morris, Merelles, or Mühle) is a classic abstract strategy board game that dates back to the Roman Empire. It’s part of the larger family of Morris games, including Three Men’s Morris, Six Men’s Morris, and Nine Men’s Morris.

History of Twelve Men’s Morris

• Ancient Roots: The game originates from the Roman Empire and may be even older, with precursors in ancient Egypt. Boards scratched into stone have been found at temples and military sites.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 14th Century BC

Nine Mans Morris Also called 9 Men’s Morris, Mill, Merels, or Mühle, this is the most famous and widely played variant of the Morris family of games. It combines simplicity and strategic depth, with roots in ancient history and a legacy across cultures.

History of Nine Men’s Morris

• Ancient Origins: Nine Men’s Morris may trace its roots to ancient Egypt, with boards dating back to around 1400 BCE. The Romans popularised it across Europe, and it spread through military and cultural contact.

Number of players: 2-4 Type of game: Boardgame
Period: Period-esq (2006)

Herkle is an adaption of Qwirkle, a modern abstract strategy game for 2 to 4 players, involving matching tiles by colour and shape in a grid. Created by Susan McKinley Ross and published in 2006, the game has won numerous awards, including the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) in 2011. It is easy to learn and well-suited for families, combining elements of dominoes, Scrabble, and set collection.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: Period-esq (2010)

History

Mijnlieff is a period-esq game designed by Andy Hopwood in 2010.

The standard game is played on a 4 x 4 square grid. Each Player has eight pieces with two of four different symbols. Each piece when played determines where your opponent can play their next piece.

In Mijnlieff each piece you play instructs your opponent to play in a straight line (either orthogonally or diagonally) from the piece just played, to play away from, or to play adjacent to the piece just played. The aim is to form lines of 3 but with your opponent controlling where you can play this is harder than it sounds. If you can play so your opponent is unable to go you get a free play anywhere on the board.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: Period-esq (1996)

Stonewall is a strategic board game released in 1996 by Stonewall Developments, a New Zealand-based publisher. Designed by Grant Bullot, Mark McGregor, and Roger Bullot, the game accommodates 2 to 4 players

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: Period-esq (1971)

Tablero de Jesús is a dice-based board game presented as a 15th-century Andalusian monastic game but now recognised as a modern invention. Popularised in the 1970s—especially among members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)—it remains a well-loved game for its strategic simplicity and potential for adaptation, even though no historical precedent exists for it prior to the late 20th century.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: Period-esq (2016)

Tak is a two-player abstract strategy game inspired by the fictional game described in Patrick Rothfuss’s The Wise Man’s Fear (from the Kingkiller Chronicle series). It was later developed into a real-world playable game by James Ernest and Rothfuss, first published in 2016. Tak is elegant in design, with simple rules but deep strategy, and shares a lineage with classic games like Go and chess.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Board
Period: 4th – 12th centuries

Hnefatafl (pronounced roughly NEF-uh-tah-full, Old Norse for “King’s Table”) is a member of the family of the Tafl family of ancient Germanic and Norse strategy board games, popular in northern Europe before the spread of chess. It features asymmetric gameplay, with one side defending a king attempting escape, while the other side attacks with superior numbers.

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History of Hnefatafl

• Origins: Dates back to at least the 4th century CE, likely originating in Iron Age Scandinavia or Germanic Europe.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 1283

Alquerque (also spelled El-Quirkat, Alquirkat, or Quirkat) is an ancient two-player strategy game from the Middle East. It is the direct ancestor of modern draughts (checkers) and was widely played throughout the Islamic world and later in mediaeval Europe.

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History of Alquerque

• Ancient Origins: Alquerque dates back to at least 1400 BCE, with early boards found carved into stones in Egypt and throughout the Middle East.

Number of players: 4(2 teams of 2)
Type of game: Board Period: 1200+

Medieval Chess is the form of chess played in Europe during the Middle Ages, evolving from earlier variants like Shatranj and eventually developing into the modern game by the 15th century. It features distinct piece movements and rules that differ from today’s chess.

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History of Medieval Chess

• Origins: Chess originated in India (~6th century CE) and spread via Persia and the Islamic world as Shatranj.

Number of players: 2 Type of game: Boardgame Period: 2500BC+

o is an ancient abstract strategy board game originating in China over 4,000 years ago. It is renowned for its deep strategic complexity despite simple rules. Players aim to control territory on the board by placing stones and capturing opponent stones.

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History of Go

• Origins: Invented in China, traditionally dated to over 2500 BCE, making it one of the oldest board games still played.

Number of players: 2-6 Type of game: Boardgame Period: 3000BC+

Mehen is an ancient Egyptian board game, notable for its distinctive spiral board shaped like a coiled serpent. Named after the protective serpent-god Mehen, the game was played during Egypt’s Old Kingdom, possibly as a ritual or strategy game. While the precise rules are unknown, scholars and gamers have reconstructed plausible versions based on archaeology and comparisons to similar ancient games.

Number of players: 4(2 teams of 2)
Type of game: Dice Period: 1100+

Shut the Box is a traditional dice game that dates back several centuries and has been popular in English pubs and households. It is a simple yet engaging game of chance and strategy where players aim to “shut” (flip down) all numbered tiles by rolling dice and matching the sum to open tiles.

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History of Shut the Box

• Origins: Thought to have originated in France or England during the 12th to 18th centuries.

Game: Wari
Type: Traditional mancala game
Players: 2
Equipment: Mancala board with 2 rows of 6 pits, 48 seeds or stones (4 per pit)
Origin: West Africa, especially Ghana and Nigeria
Other Names: Oware, Awalé, Warri, Ayo, Ouril, Adi, Wali, Awele, Wale

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Historical Background

Wari is one of the oldest and most widespread mancala-style games, with a heritage tracing back thousands of years across West Africa. It is particularly associated with the Akan people of Ghana and is considered the national game of several countries including Ghana, Nigeria, and Cape Verde (where it is called Ouril). Its spread via trade routes and the African diaspora led to variants being played in the Caribbean, South America, and parts of the Middle East. Wari’s enduring appeal comes from its blend of simple mechanics and deep strategy.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 1500+

Fox and Geese is a classic asymmetrical board game of strategy and cunning, played between one player controlling a fox and another controlling a gaggle of geese. The game is a descendant of Norse tafl games and was popular in mediaeval and early modern Europe.

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History of Fox and Geese

• Mediaeval Roots: The game emerged in medieval northern Europe, evolving from older Viking tafl games around the 13th century.

Number of players: 2-4 Type of game: Boardgame
Period:

Thayam is a traditional South Indian board game, especially popular in Tamil Nadu. It is a race game similar in concept to Pachisi or Ludo, involving strategy and chance, where players race their tokens around a track based on dice rolls.

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History of Thayam

• Origins: Played in South India for centuries, with roots in traditional folk culture.

• Cultural Significance: Often played during festivals and family gatherings.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 1550-1295 B.C.

Aseb also called The Game of Twenty Squares, Asseb, or Asib, Aseb is an ancient Egyptian board game, closely related to the Mesopotamian Royal Game of Ur. Aseb is a race-and-strategy game played on a rectangular board with twenty squares, blending luck, positioning, and blocking tactics.

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History of Aseb

• Ancient Origins: Aseb emerged in ancient Egypt, likely adopted from the Mesopotamian Royal Game of Ur, dating back to at least 2600 BCE.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 2686 B.C. + Senet is one of the oldest known board games, originating in ancient Egypt around 3100 BCE. Played by pharaohs and commoners alike, Senet was both a pastime and a spiritual symbol, representing the soul’s journey through the afterlife. The game is a race of strategy and chance where players aim to move their pieces across a grid-shaped board and off the playing field first.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 2400BC+

The Royal Game of Ur is one of the oldest known board games in history, dating back over 4,500 years to ancient Mesopotamia. It is a two-player race and strategy game discovered in the Royal Tombs of Ur (modern-day Iraq) by Sir Leonard Woolley in the 1920s. The game combines elements of chance and tactics as players race their pieces along a distinctive track to be the first to bear all their tokens off the board.

Number of players: 4 Type of game: Dice Period: 12083

El Mundo – Four Player Backgammon

History of El Mundo

History El Mundo (lit. The World) aka Tables of the Four Seasons aka Four Player Backgammon is a tables game from the 13th century. This reconstruction is based off of the rules found in Alfonso X’s Book of Games (1283) as translated by Sonja Musser Golladay (2007).
The Book of Games is the only known description of how this game is played, and the only known reference to the game. Each colour in the game not only corresponds to a season but also one of the four elements and humours. Green represents spring, air, and blood; Red represents summer, fire, and choler; Black represents autumn, earth, and melancholy; White represents winter, water, and phlegm.

Number of players: 2 Type of game: Dice Period: 100+

Tables is an ancient board game dating back to at least the Roman Empire, considered a direct predecessor to modern backgammon. It combines luck and strategy with dice rolls to move pieces around a board with the goal of bearing them off first.

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History of Tables

• Origins: The game’s earliest forms appear in Roman times (around 1st century CE), called Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum (“Game of Twelve Lines”).

Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Dice
Period: 1500+

Glückshaus (German for “House of Fortune”) is a traditional dice game of luck and simple strategy. Played since the late Middle Ages, it uses a specially numbered board and two dice. Each number represents a “room” in the house, some of which have symbolic or festive meanings—most notably the Pig, Wedding, and King.

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History of Glückshaus

• Origins: Glückshaus originated in 15th or 16th century Germany, and became popular across Austria, Switzerland, and the Low Countries.

Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Dice
Period: 1552

Novem-Cinque (Latin for Nine-Five) is an ancient Roman dice game of chance, likely played for wagers and amusement in taverns, camps, and homes across the Empire. Though the exact rules are lost to time, the name suggests a focus on the numbers 9 and 5, with reconstructions drawing from Roman gambling practices.

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History of Novem-Cinque

• Cultural Context: Played in the Roman Empire, likely during the Imperial period.

Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Dice
Period: 1552

Liar’s Dice is a classic bluffing and deduction game played with dice hidden beneath cups. Each player must guess how many dice showing a certain face value are present across all players’ cups—but without knowing anyone else’s dice. Players bluff, challenge, and try to outwit each other to be the last one with dice remaining.

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History of Liar’s Dice

• Origins: Likely derived from Perudo or Dudo, a South American game with Incan roots.

Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Skill
Period: 1400BC+

Knucklebones is an ancient game of skill and chance, originally played with the ankle bones (astragali) of sheep or goats. It has appeared in cultures across ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, and Central Asia, and is considered an ancestor to dice and modern dexterity games like jacks.

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History of Knucklebones

• Ancient Origins: Dates back at least to 1400 BCE in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Number of players: 4(2 teams of 2)
Type of game: Dice Period: 1100+

Shut the Box is a traditional dice game that dates back several centuries and has been popular in English pubs and households. It is a simple yet engaging game of chance and strategy where players aim to “shut” (flip down) all numbered tiles by rolling dice and matching the sum to open tiles.

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History of Shut the Box

• Origins: Thought to have originated in France or England during the 12th to 18th centuries.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Board
Period: 1400BC+

Three Men’s Morris Also known as 3 Men’s Morris, Tapatan (in the Philippines), or Tic-Tac-Toe’s clever cousin, this is the most compact and swift version of the Morris games. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and ideal for young learners or fast, strategic duels.

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History of Three Men’s Morris

• Ancient Beginnings: Archaeological finds suggest Three Men’s Morris is among the oldest known board games, with roots possibly stretching back to early Egypt, Greece, and India. Boards scratched into stone slabs have been uncovered in temples and ancient homes.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 14th Century

Twelve Men’s Morris (also known as 12 Men’s Morris, Merelles, or Mühle) is a classic abstract strategy board game that dates back to the Roman Empire. It’s part of the larger family of Morris games, including Three Men’s Morris, Six Men’s Morris, and Nine Men’s Morris.

History of Twelve Men’s Morris

• Ancient Roots: The game originates from the Roman Empire and may be even older, with precursors in ancient Egypt. Boards scratched into stone have been found at temples and military sites.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 14th Century BC

Nine Mans Morris Also called 9 Men’s Morris, Mill, Merels, or Mühle, this is the most famous and widely played variant of the Morris family of games. It combines simplicity and strategic depth, with roots in ancient history and a legacy across cultures.

History of Nine Men’s Morris

• Ancient Origins: Nine Men’s Morris may trace its roots to ancient Egypt, with boards dating back to around 1400 BCE. The Romans popularised it across Europe, and it spread through military and cultural contact.

Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Card
Period: 15th Century

One and Thirty (also written 31, Einunddreißig, or Trente-et-un) is a classic gambling card game of European origin. Played in taverns and courts from the 16th century onward, it is considered one of the oldest recorded games of its kind and a precursor to blackjack. The aim is simple: assemble a hand as close as possible to thirty-one points, ideally in a single suit.

Number of players: 4(2 teams of 2)
Type of game: Cards Period: 1426+

Karnöffel is one of the oldest known European card games still recorded today, dating back to the 15th century. Its odd rules, power-reversing trumps, and colourful names made it wildly popular in medieval German-speaking lands. It is the ancestor of many European trick-taking games.

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History of Karnöffel

• First Recorded: 1426, in Nördlingen, Germany.

• Origins: Played during church festivals and town games, especially Shrovetide and Fastnacht celebrations.

Game: Tarok
Type: Trick-taking card game
Players: Typically 3 or 4
Equipment: 54- or 78-card Tarot deck (depending on the regional variant)
Origin: 15th century Italy, flourishing in Central Europe by the 18th century
Other Names: Tarock, Tarot (game), Königrufen, Tapp Tarock, Bavarian Tarock

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Historical Background

Tarok developed from early Italian trick-taking games using the tarot deck, including Trionfi. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Austrian and German variants had formalised into distinct games. Tarok’s popularity endured in Central Europe even as it faded elsewhere, especially in forms like Königrufen (Austria) and Tapp Tarock (Bavaria and beyond). These versions incorporated refined bidding systems, partnerships, and contracts, making Tarok one of the most strategically rich pre-modern card games.

Number of players: 5 originally. Optional rules for 3,4 or 6
Type of game: Card
Period: 1500s

Laugh and Lie Down is a 16th-century English gambling game for five players using a standard 52-card deck. It’s a game of matching pairs and sets, with an early form of pool betting. Simple to learn but chaotic to play, it blends elements of chance, strategy, and social drama—perfect for taverns and long evenings.

Number of players: 4
Type of game: Card
Period: 1600-1800 Reversis is a 16th-century trick-taking card game of Spanish origin that became fashionable throughout Europe, particularly in France and Italy. As its name suggests, Reversis is all about reversing the usual trick-taking goal: players aim to avoid winning tricks, especially certain undesirable cards. It’s a game of avoidance, misdirection, and cunning—often seen as an ancestor of games like Hearts.

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History of Reversis

• Origin: Likely developed in Spain during the late 1500s.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Board
Period: 4th – 12th centuries

Hnefatafl (pronounced roughly NEF-uh-tah-full, Old Norse for “King’s Table”) is a member of the family of the Tafl family of ancient Germanic and Norse strategy board games, popular in northern Europe before the spread of chess. It features asymmetric gameplay, with one side defending a king attempting escape, while the other side attacks with superior numbers.

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History of Hnefatafl

• Origins: Dates back to at least the 4th century CE, likely originating in Iron Age Scandinavia or Germanic Europe.

Within the SCA there are a number of Kingdoms, each ruled by a King and Queen. Every 6 months a new King and Queen are appointed by a heavy combat tournament, with the winner becoming the next Monarch along with his or her consort.

Within Lochac these tournaments take place in May and November. The in July and January the new King and Queen are crowned.

This year the Midwinter coronation was held in the Canton of Cluain, at the beautiful Hamilton Gardens.

Within the SCA there are a number of Kingdoms, each ruled by a King and Queen. Every 6 months a new King and Queen are appointed by a heavy combat tournament, with the winner becoming the next Monarch along with his or her consort.

Within Lochac these tournaments take place in May and November. The in July and January the new King and Queen are crowned.

This year the Midwinter coronation was held in the Canton of Cluain, at the beautiful Hamilton Gardens.

It appears that there are 2 different garments that get called a pourpoint. One is an outer layer, often padded that may have started as part of a knight’s armour. The other is a waistcoat style garment that was used to attach the hose, or sometimes with armour the leg harness, as an alternative to a belt.

The pourpoint style we decided to make was a simple waistcoat with no skirt. It was to have a lining to help handle any strain put on it. The outer layer is white linen with the lining of calico.

It appears that there are 2 different garments that get called a pourpoint. One is an outer layer, often padded that may have started as part of a knight’s armour. The other is a waistcoat style garment that was used to attach the hose, or sometimes with armour the leg harness, as an alternative to a belt.

The pourpoint style we decided to make was a simple waistcoat with no skirt. It was to have a lining to help handle any strain put on it. The outer layer is white linen with the lining of calico.

This is an Ildhafn award. It is granted for service to the Barony.

Traditionally an alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law.

Award of Arms. This is and SCA. award. It is often one of the first that someone receives in the SCA.

This is an Ildhafn award. It is granted for exemplary courtesy

Burgess originally meant a freeman of a borough or burgh. It later came to mean an elected or unelected official of a municipality, or the representative of a borough in the English House of Commons

This is an Ildhafn award. It is granted to those that do great service to the Barony but do not reside within its lands.

Traditionally the Freed of the City would be grated to notable citizens or visiting dignitaries and arising from the medieval practice of granting respected citizens freedom from serfdom.

This is an SCA award. The Nock is given for achievement in the field of missile combat. The token is a gold nock, worn as a pendant.

This is an Ildhafn award. It is granted to those who display skill in the Arts and Sciences

Traditionally Guildsmen were members of the various guilds that governed aspects of medieval life. The  Ildhafn  Guildsmen are modelled loosely on the Guilds of London

This is an Ildhafn award. It is bestowed upon those who resided within the barony for a significant time but have moved away to other parts of the Known World.

Traditionally a Lodeman was the navigator or pilot on a ship and was responsible for guiding the ship safely to its harbour

This is an Ildhafn award. It is granted to those that excel in the martial arts of Armoured, Rapier, Archery or Mounted skills.

This is an SCA award. The Rowan is given to those who have displayed exceptional and consistent grace and courtesy to all. The order’s badge is: A cinquefoil per pale vert and argent.

This is an SCA award. The Order of the Silver Pegasus may be given to those who have distinguished themselves over time by performing outstanding service. They shall also have demonstrated chivalry, courtesy and courtly behaviour.

This is an SCA award. The Order of the Star and Lily (formerly known as Golden Lily) is given for achievement in the arts and sciences. This Kingdom award has retained the token of the former Roman Lilies; a black pendant bearing the order’s badge: Three lily blossoms in triquetra.

Number of players: 4 Type of game: Dice Period: 12083

El Mundo – Four Player Backgammon

History of El Mundo

History El Mundo (lit. The World) aka Tables of the Four Seasons aka Four Player Backgammon is a tables game from the 13th century. This reconstruction is based off of the rules found in Alfonso X’s Book of Games (1283) as translated by Sonja Musser Golladay (2007).
The Book of Games is the only known description of how this game is played, and the only known reference to the game. Each colour in the game not only corresponds to a season but also one of the four elements and humours. Green represents spring, air, and blood; Red represents summer, fire, and choler; Black represents autumn, earth, and melancholy; White represents winter, water, and phlegm.

Number of players: 2 Type of game: Dice Period: 100+

Tables is an ancient board game dating back to at least the Roman Empire, considered a direct predecessor to modern backgammon. It combines luck and strategy with dice rolls to move pieces around a board with the goal of bearing them off first.

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History of Tables

• Origins: The game’s earliest forms appear in Roman times (around 1st century CE), called Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum (“Game of Twelve Lines”).

In this project, I am making a leather box for a friend of mine.

The box design I decided to use has a joined lid so was to be made out of a single piece of leather. The final dimensions were to be 8″”x5″”x2″”. The pattern for it looks like this

I cut the basic shape out but left the corners in for the places that would be stitched together, the grey areas on the pattern. These I cut with V gouge instead of a knife so that I had a mitred edge to work with.

The “Hundred Years’ War” between France and England (1337-1453) was an episodic struggle lasting well over a hundred years, for much of the time without any conflict. The battles were both violent, but also occasions when ideals of “chivalry” were displayed. Here are extracts describing various battles from the Chronicle of Jean Froissart.

The Battle of Poitiers 1356
Oftentimes the adventure of amours and of war are more fortunate and marvellous than any man can think or wish. Truly this battle, the which was near to Poitiers in the fields of Beauvoir and Maupertuis, was right great and perilous, and many deeds of arms there was done the which all came not to knowledge.

The “Hundred Years’ War” between France and England (1337-1453) was an episodic struggle lasting well over a hundred years, for much of the time without any conflict. The battles were both violent, but also occasions when ideals of “chivalry” were displayed. Here are extracts describing various battles from the Chronicle of Jean Froissart.
The Battle of Crecy (1346)
The Englishmen, who were in three battles lying on the ground to rest them, as soon as they saw the Frenchmen approach, they rose upon their feet fair and easily without any haste and arranged their battles. The first, which was the prince’s battle, the archers there stood in manner of a herse and the men of arms in the bottom of the battle. The earl of Northampton and the earl of Arundel with the second battle were on a wing in good order, ready to comfort the Black prince’s battle, if need were.