Board
Games
Chess
 Chess
dates back to ancient Egypt. The was played by the Vikings
in the 10th century, and texts with rules survive from the
late 13th century.
Played
by mostly noble classes, chess was used for training ground
for the strategies, tactics, and thought processes that were
employed in besieging castles during times of war. The pieces
represent the echelon of the medieval army and society. There
are one king and queen, clergymen representing the bishop,
knights or mounted warriors and castles or rooks. The rest
of the army is made up of conscripted peasants who are the
pawns; these are the troops that are forced to the enemy first
in battle.
Draughts
or Checkers
This
was common during the Middle Ages and was popular more so
among women and the lower classes who were unable to understand
the game of chess. It was also played by women as it was not
as warlike as chess. The games was popular on the continent
and it was not until the late 16th or early 17th century it
came to England.
Tables
 Tables
are similar to the modern game of backgammon and were enjoyed
by both sexes - anyone who was able to afford a board and
marker pieces could play. The rules are similar to backgammon
and it was not uncommon to see a board at a medieval feast.
Merrills
Also
known as Nine Man's Morris, is extremely old, certainly dating
to the early Middle Ages.
Pass
the Parcel
This appears in a lot of history events so may not have occurred.
It could be played at the feast table in between each course.
The
"parcel" is made up with cloth squares and a ribbon
to tie each piece of cloth in the parcel. In between each
layer of cloth is either a prize or a forfeit. The parcel
is then passed around the table while musicians play. Whoever
is holding the parcel when the music stops is to unravel the
first layer where he/she would fond either a prize or a forfeit.
Then the music starts again and the parcel is passed around
the table once again.
The
prizes would either be a piece of chocolate, a ring, jewelry,
or a token. The forfeits on the other hand would be small
dares to perform embarrassing acts such as singing a song,
reciting a poem, juggling fruit. The last prize in the parcel
is the best reward.
To
make up the parcel you should allow each guest to have several
prizes or forfeits. If you have a lot of guests you should
make up more than one parcel. The other parcel should have
different prizes.
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