Project Project SocratesSocrates

Istituto ComprensivoIstituto ComprensivoGioiosa MareaGioiosa Marea

Anno scolastico 2006/2007Anno scolastico 2006/2007

Games of the Games of the Middle Ages Middle Ages

Men in the Middle AgesMen in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages men used to devote In the Middle Ages men used to devote their free time to a number of rather their free time to a number of rather different entertainments according to different entertainments according to their social ranks, provenance, city their social ranks, provenance, city ways, country ways and so on. The Noble ways, country ways and so on. The Noble ones, for instance, used to go hunting ones, for instance, used to go hunting for delight and sports, with dogs and for delight and sports, with dogs and falcons while peasants, bourgeois and falcons while peasants, bourgeois and craftsmen, in their leisure or on feast craftsmen, in their leisure or on feast days, would have a good time lapsing days, would have a good time lapsing into drinks, jokes and dances as well.into drinks, jokes and dances as well.

Children and gamesChildren and games

Moreover, they’d Moreover, they’d sometimes show all their sometimes show all their skills by making dolls with skills by making dolls with either hemp or linen either hemp or linen forelocks as well as wind forelocks as well as wind vanes and ingenious tiny vanes and ingenious tiny windmills out of nutshells.windmills out of nutshells.

Their figurines were Their figurines were fashioned out of wood, fashioned out of wood, baked clay (terra-cotta) or baked clay (terra-cotta) or lead..lead..

At the time, children used to play with pebbles, At the time, children used to play with pebbles, blades of grass and shells. blades of grass and shells. They’d recycle staves inside workshops in order to They’d recycle staves inside workshops in order to make circles but were also able to fashion clay make circles but were also able to fashion clay potteries and pig blisters into handmade raw potteries and pig blisters into handmade raw balls. balls.

Children’s presentsChildren’s presents Kids would get, as a Kids would get, as a

rule, a lot of presents - rule, a lot of presents - pets, stilts and wooden pets, stilts and wooden tiny handcarts to drag in tiny handcarts to drag in farm courtyards as well farm courtyards as well as tiny boats provided as tiny boats provided with feed-holed prows to with feed-holed prows to drag down the channels drag down the channels with the aid of strings. with the aid of strings. Maidens, on the Maidens, on the contrary, would love to contrary, would love to receive free gifts of tame receive free gifts of tame squirrels, birds in cage, squirrels, birds in cage, tiny maize-cobs as well tiny maize-cobs as well as buckets to draw water as buckets to draw water by. by.

Castellans and gamesCastellans and games

Some castellans’ sons used to Some castellans’ sons used to play with monkeys, while the play with monkeys, while the nobility’s ones were keen on nobility’s ones were keen on receiving a hawk that they were receiving a hawk that they were quick to tame. Even the skilful quick to tame. Even the skilful craftsmen would make a splash by craftsmen would make a splash by fashioning bird-shaped whistles fashioning bird-shaped whistles out of clay and wood in order to out of clay and wood in order to turn spinning tops and dolls in.turn spinning tops and dolls in.

Entertainment placesEntertainment places

All playful entertainments, as a rule, All playful entertainments, as a rule, were due to be played out only were due to be played out only outdoors: loggias, porches, outdoors: loggias, porches, crossroads and above all public crossroads and above all public squares. squares.

Taverns, too, were told to be so well Taverns, too, were told to be so well liked stamping-grounds as to be liked stamping-grounds as to be named after peculiar animals: “The named after peculiar animals: “The White Hawk ”, “The Golden Hawk”, White Hawk ”, “The Golden Hawk”, “the Peacock”.“the Peacock”.

Gambling.Gambling. At the time, the mainstream At the time, the mainstream

games of chance to be games of chance to be branded as gambling were: branded as gambling were: dice, chess and cards. They dice, chess and cards. They were not allowed to be were not allowed to be played indoors because of played indoors because of frequent rows, quarrels, frequent rows, quarrels, imprecations at God. imprecations at God. Therefore all ecclesiastical Therefore all ecclesiastical or civil authorities were or civil authorities were hostile to these games.hostile to these games.

Games with diceGames with dice

The “zara”

The “murbiola”

The “sbaraglino” or “tavola reale”

Rafle o poulain

“ “Zara”Zara” This game was at the time played with 3 This game was at the time played with 3

six-sided dice, a small flat table and a lot six-sided dice, a small flat table and a lot of coins. The player, in his turn, was due of coins. The player, in his turn, was due to call for a number and whether the sum to call for a number and whether the sum of the 3 thrown dice was going to be of the 3 thrown dice was going to be matching his previous call-up he was matching his previous call-up he was awarded as winner.awarded as winner. All stakes were All stakes were allowed to be placed by resting coins on allowed to be placed by resting coins on the numbers embedded on tables just like the numbers embedded on tables just like the ones on modern roulettes; accordingly the ones on modern roulettes; accordingly to the random combinations players used to the random combinations players used to call out words “Azar Punctum Partia” to call out words “Azar Punctum Partia” and some more else in order to conceal and some more else in order to conceal their game to judicial officials.their game to judicial officials.

“ “Murbiola”Murbiola”

It was just alike the Zara save It was just alike the Zara save that there might have been some that there might have been some figures, in place of numbers, figures, in place of numbers, embedded on the cards where embedded on the cards where people used to place their stakes.people used to place their stakes.

“ “Sbaraglino” or “Tavola Sbaraglino” or “Tavola Reale”Reale”

It’s a two-dice and 30-pawn game It’s a two-dice and 30-pawn game to play out on a gaming table to play out on a gaming table with red and white arrows; the with red and white arrows; the player who first is able to clear player who first is able to clear all pawns away is awarded as all pawns away is awarded as winner.winner.

““Rafla” or “Poulain”Rafla” or “Poulain”

For this game the player was due For this game the player was due to cast two dice all at once. The to cast two dice all at once. The win was up to the player who was win was up to the player who was able to have the two dice resting able to have the two dice resting face-up with the same numbers.face-up with the same numbers.

Games with ballGames with ball

The “Muretto”The “Muretto”

The JesterThe Jester

““Agli spilli”Agli spilli”

““Il gioco della Il gioco della palla”palla”

““Soule”Soule”

“ “Il Muretto”Il Muretto”

Each player, in turn, was due to Each player, in turn, was due to fling a leather ball against a little fling a leather ball against a little wall in order to keep opponents wall in order to keep opponents away from catching it.away from catching it.

The JesterThe Jester

For this game the For this game the poor jester was poor jester was bound to get bound to get himself all soaking himself all soaking wet because of a wet because of a bucketful of water bucketful of water whenever a player whenever a player was successful in was successful in hitting the target hitting the target with a ball-shaped with a ball-shaped patchy canvas.patchy canvas.

“ “ Agli Spilli”Agli Spilli”

Essentials of the game: a circle Essentials of the game: a circle drawn on the ground; some pins drawn on the ground; some pins to be placed within. It consisted to be placed within. It consisted in bouncing the ball off the wall in bouncing the ball off the wall into the circle so as to spring, on into the circle so as to spring, on the rebound, some of the pins the rebound, some of the pins out of the circle. As a rule, the out of the circle. As a rule, the one who was going to make it one who was going to make it was awarded as winner.was awarded as winner.

““Il gioco della palla”Il gioco della palla” For this game some players would For this game some players would

make a circle around a player whose make a circle around a player whose job was to grab the ball that his mates job was to grab the ball that his mates were passing by one another without were passing by one another without ever let himself be straight hit home. ever let himself be straight hit home. The game contemplated, as a rule that, The game contemplated, as a rule that, if he was going to be able to grab the if he was going to be able to grab the ball he could then replace the one who ball he could then replace the one who had been throwing it before. had been throwing it before. Whenever, instead, it was himself to Whenever, instead, it was himself to get struck he was allowed to keep his get struck he was allowed to keep his stand and pay a penalty.stand and pay a penalty.

The “Soule” The “Soule”

It was the ancestor of modern It was the ancestor of modern soccer and was best liked bysoccer and was best liked by peasants.peasants. The match, as a rule, was The match, as a rule, was sometimes played between sometimes played between inhabitants of the same village, but inhabitants of the same village, but even between different countries even between different countries was common occurrence too. The was common occurrence too. The shape of ball was kicked off, batted shape of ball was kicked off, batted off and struck by a fairly long far-off and struck by a fairly long far-ended-bent stick.ended-bent stick.

Games with Games with knivesknives

The The Winnowing-Winnowing-fan or fan or “Ventilabro” “Ventilabro”

““Who comes Who comes closer to closer to knives”knives”

The Winnowing-fan or The Winnowing-fan or “Ventilabro” “Ventilabro”

The game consisted in launching The game consisted in launching a knife as closer as possible to a knife as closer as possible to some rods previously stabbed some rods previously stabbed into some slits of the winning-into some slits of the winning-fan. “ventilabro” (a shovel- fan. “ventilabro” (a shovel- shaped tool to ventilate the shaped tool to ventilate the grain)grain)

““Who comes closer to Who comes closer to knives”knives”

The game consisted in launching The game consisted in launching either a piaster or a “scudo” as either a piaster or a “scudo” as closer as possible to a knife closer as possible to a knife previously stabbed into the lip of previously stabbed into the lip of a table. The player who was a table. The player who was going to be able to reach for the going to be able to reach for the grip of the knife without ever to grip of the knife without ever to drop it was awarded as winnerdrop it was awarded as winner . .

Games with little sticksGames with little sticks

Prendi RomaPrendi Roma LippaLippa Il gioco del Il gioco del

bastonebastone Gioco della Gioco della

brichebriche

““Prendi Roma”Prendi Roma”

By stabbing, as hard as he could, By stabbing, as hard as he could, a rod down into the ground the a rod down into the ground the player was due to knock down or player was due to knock down or replace all the rods that his replace all the rods that his opponents had earlier been opponents had earlier been sticking into.sticking into.

“ “La Lippa”La Lippa”

The game consisted in striking a piece of The game consisted in striking a piece of stick, previously lain on a plank, on its stick, previously lain on a plank, on its far end in order to blow it off and hit it far end in order to blow it off and hit it home back, all at once, his longest way home back, all at once, his longest way off.off.

The game of the stickThe game of the stick

It was an easy game to play. The player It was an easy game to play. The player was due to was due to

strike and break his mate’s stick.strike and break his mate’s stick.

““Il gioco della briche”Il gioco della briche”

Essentials of the game: some players, a leader Essentials of the game: some players, a leader or “musard” that’s, a kind of cheat and one or “musard” that’s, a kind of cheat and one “briche”, a sort of an easy concealable little “briche”, a sort of an easy concealable little stick. While all the players were sitting round stick. While all the players were sitting round the leader would hold one “briche” in his the leader would hold one “briche” in his hand to give away to anyone calling for it. As hand to give away to anyone calling for it. As a rule, just one out of the players was left a rule, just one out of the players was left over with the little stick. Therefore one more over with the little stick. Therefore one more player would come into play asking the leader player would come into play asking the leader where it was to be found. Obviously, the where it was to be found. Obviously, the leader’s job was to sidetrack and put any leader’s job was to sidetrack and put any player searching for the “briche” right off the player searching for the “briche” right off the scent. But whenever the player was able to scent. But whenever the player was able to suss the right holder out the win was up to suss the right holder out the win was up to him. If, on the contrary, he was him. If, on the contrary, he was unsuccessful , the win was up to the holder of unsuccessful , the win was up to the holder of the briche himself.the briche himself.

Games with the Games with the chessboardchessboard

““Filetto o Filetto o mulino”mulino”

““Gioco della Gioco della triatria””

“ “Filetto or Mulino”Filetto or Mulino”

It is a two-player game. Every player is It is a two-player game. Every player is given nine black and white pawns at given nine black and white pawns at command to be placed on the 24 points of command to be placed on the 24 points of the chessboard. The players, each in their the chessboard. The players, each in their own turn, make a move on a free point of own turn, make a move on a free point of the chessboard. Once all pieces have been the chessboard. Once all pieces have been settled, the first move will be cast by lot. settled, the first move will be cast by lot. The two players must move their pawns The two players must move their pawns aiming to arrange them into a subsequent aiming to arrange them into a subsequent line of 3 pieces (Filetto). Once one player line of 3 pieces (Filetto). Once one player has accomplished his own “Mulino”, he will has accomplished his own “Mulino”, he will then be entitled to remove his rival’s piece then be entitled to remove his rival’s piece out of the game.out of the game.

““Il gioco della tria”Il gioco della tria”

This game contemplated the use of a This game contemplated the use of a particular chessboard composed of 3 particular chessboard composed of 3 two- halves-sided concentric two- halves-sided concentric squares. The two players were, as a squares. The two players were, as a rule, provided each with 3 pawns to rule, provided each with 3 pawns to be settled, in turn, all along the be settled, in turn, all along the lines and the one who was going to lines and the one who was going to be able to arrange the 3 pawns all be able to arrange the 3 pawns all straight along the same line was straight along the same line was awarded as winner.awarded as winner.

Games with cardsGames with cards ““La condannata” La condannata” For this game two For this game two

opponents were needed: opponents were needed: the player and the “bank”. the player and the “bank”. The former was due to pick The former was due to pick out a card while the latter’s out a card while the latter’s job was to “shuffle”. If the job was to “shuffle”. If the player would receive the player would receive the same cards as the one he same cards as the one he had chosen earlier the win had chosen earlier the win was right up to him; was right up to him; otherwise the win was right otherwise the win was right up to the “bank”.up to the “bank”.

Giochi con le maniGiochi con le mani

““Il gioco del Re”Il gioco del Re”

For this game some standing For this game some standing round players would stretch and round players would stretch and pile their right hand on each pile their right hand on each other. Then, they would draw it other. Then, they would draw it back over counting. As a rule, the back over counting. As a rule, the player who would first draw back player who would first draw back his hand while the counting was his hand while the counting was up to ten was awarded as winner.up to ten was awarded as winner.

“ “Scaldamani” or hands Scaldamani” or hands warmer warmer

This game contemplated no a precise This game contemplated no a precise number of players. So, as a start, the number of players. So, as a start, the first player was bound to put his first player was bound to put his wide-open hand on a table. The wide-open hand on a table. The second player, in his turn, would do second player, in his turn, would do the same by smacking his hand on the same by smacking his hand on his rival’s one and so on with other his rival’s one and so on with other subsequent hands. The game was subsequent hands. The game was never to end because the lowest hand never to end because the lowest hand on the table would in no time be the on the table would in no time be the first one on top of the pile of hands.first one on top of the pile of hands.

And still… any more And still… any more gamesgames

The “Knucklebones”:The “Knucklebones”: To play this game a fair number of To play this game a fair number of

whitened knucklebones were needed; one whitened knucklebones were needed; one knucklebone was hold on balance on the knucklebone was hold on balance on the back of the hand while the other ones back of the hand while the other ones were laid on the ground. When the player were laid on the ground. When the player was poised to toss up the first was poised to toss up the first knucklebone he had to use expedition, just knucklebone he had to use expedition, just like a shot, in picking up the next piece like a shot, in picking up the next piece and grasping, all at once, the previous and grasping, all at once, the previous descending one in no time. After that, the descending one in no time. After that, the player was free to keep going on with two, player was free to keep going on with two, three, or four running knucklebones.three, or four running knucklebones.

The “Spinning Top” The “Spinning Top” (Typical child s' play)(Typical child s' play)

A wooden spinning top A wooden spinning top was made to spin by was made to spin by means of a string means of a string fastened to a wooden fastened to a wooden grip. It was held up as grip. It was held up as gambling whenever gambling whenever was played by grown-was played by grown-ups. It consisted in ups. It consisted in drawing a circle down drawing a circle down on the ground and on the ground and the one who was the one who was going to have it going to have it spinning within the spinning within the line of the edge was line of the edge was awarded as winner.awarded as winner.

“ “La Ruzzola”La Ruzzola”

To play this game three things were To play this game three things were needed: a little strain, a whole cheese needed: a little strain, a whole cheese and a wooden round table. The strain, and a wooden round table. The strain, as a rule, was used to embrace the as a rule, was used to embrace the diameter of the cheese all around so as, diameter of the cheese all around so as, at a start, to have it rolling down along at a start, to have it rolling down along the roads of the village. The player who the roads of the village. The player who was going to be able to get the round was going to be able to get the round cheese rolling as any further as cheese rolling as any further as possible was next awarded with a prize.possible was next awarded with a prize.

BowingBowing

It was well liked by men and was, It was well liked by men and was, as a rule, performed on high as a rule, performed on high slopes so as to shoot the target slopes so as to shoot the target up ahead in the distance always up ahead in the distance always atop.atop.

““Franco il quadri”Franco il quadri”

A square was drawn either on the A square was drawn either on the ground or on the floor and ground or on the floor and players were due to launch a coin players were due to launch a coin or a piaster inside it.or a piaster inside it.

“ “La Quintana”La Quintana”

This game dates back to Chivalry This game dates back to Chivalry Age. The knight was due to hit a Age. The knight was due to hit a mobile scarecrow spinning mobile scarecrow spinning around a vertical turning axle. If around a vertical turning axle. If he failed the target, it was him, in he failed the target, it was him, in return, to be bound to be hit back return, to be bound to be hit back by the scarecrow’s weapons: a by the scarecrow’s weapons: a sword or maybe a stick in its right sword or maybe a stick in its right hand; a shield in its left one.hand; a shield in its left one.

The “Giara”The “Giara”

The game consisted The game consisted in launching three in launching three corks within some corks within some earthenware . The earthenware . The one who was going one who was going to be able to manage to be able to manage it was entitled to a it was entitled to a number of coins as a number of coins as a prizeprize

For this game the player would act For this game the player would act as “St. Cosimo” and receive a as “St. Cosimo” and receive a grotesque offer as a kind of gift grotesque offer as a kind of gift from all the other players. The only from all the other players. The only one rule of the game was: No one rule of the game was: No laughing allowed. In fact, the one laughing allowed. In fact, the one who would first break into laughing who would first break into laughing was also the first one to lose and was also the first one to lose and act, in return, as “St. Cosimo” act, in return, as “St. Cosimo” himself.himself.

““Il gioco di San Cosimo”Il gioco di San Cosimo”

““Il gioco delle bocce”Il gioco delle bocce”

For this game the players were For this game the players were due to roll some bowls as closer due to roll some bowls as closer along as they could to a stake along as they could to a stake stuck into the ground or a “jack”. stuck into the ground or a “jack”.

The player who was going to be The player who was going to be able to roll the bowl the closest able to roll the bowl the closest way off to the jack was awarded way off to the jack was awarded as winner.as winner.

““Pizzica orecchio”Pizzica orecchio”

Essentials of the game: some standing Essentials of the game: some standing round players, an outsider and a drawing round players, an outsider and a drawing so as to determine who was up to get off so as to determine who was up to get off the game. Each player was, in turn, to pick the game. Each player was, in turn, to pick up a false name for himself and after that, up a false name for himself and after that, all players’ names, reported on list, were all players’ names, reported on list, were to be handed to the outsider whose job to be handed to the outsider whose job was to read out a name and match it up was to read out a name and match it up with the right player. As a rule, the well-with the right player. As a rule, the well-chosen player was due to ride him on his chosen player was due to ride him on his shoulder and dump him down among the shoulder and dump him down among the other players who were elated to beat him other players who were elated to beat him up for fun.up for fun.

““Il gioco dei birilli”Il gioco dei birilli”

Essentials of the game: Essentials of the game: some players, a bowl, a some players, a bowl, a shooting-point and 9 shooting-point and 9 ninepins arranged in ninepins arranged in a row of three at equal a row of three at equal distance one another. distance one another. For this game, the For this game, the player was due to hit player was due to hit all the 9 ninepins. The all the 9 ninepins. The one who was going to one who was going to be able to strike the be able to strike the most of them was most of them was awarded as winner.awarded as winner.

““Il gioco del volatile”Il gioco del volatile”

Essentials of the game: a Essentials of the game: a blindfold player, a bounded court blindfold player, a bounded court and a game fowl: a cock or a and a game fowl: a cock or a goose as a rule. The blindfold goose as a rule. The blindfold player, provided with a stick or a player, provided with a stick or a stone, was due to hit the fowl.stone, was due to hit the fowl.

“ “Moscacieca” - Blind man’s Moscacieca” - Blind man’s buffbuff

A blindfold player was to grab A blindfold player was to grab and tell another player who, once and tell another player who, once identified, would, in return, act identified, would, in return, act as the blindfold one.as the blindfold one.

“ “L’Acchiappatella”L’Acchiappatella”

For this game the player was due For this game the player was due to chase all the other players and to chase all the other players and catch, at least, one out of them. catch, at least, one out of them. So, after that, the caught one, So, after that, the caught one, was due, in turn, to replace just was due, in turn, to replace just the player who had been catching the player who had been catching him before.him before.