Medieval Living

I’d like to report that Medieval Game Night was such a huge success that I need to rush out to the workshop and make a dozen more Morris boards to use the following week . . . but . . . that’s not the case. As with any new endeavor, the results do not always match the hopes and expectations. Unfortuantely, Thursday night’s attendance was zero. The chess club had a nice turn-out . . . I think there were about 10 people at last count. But my little corner of the world was rather lonely. Meh – I wasn’t really expecting throngs of people and news reporters and police officers directing traffic. Any number of things could have prevented people from attending.
So . . . next week, we will try again. A little more effort on my part to advertise the event . . . and maybe a few more weeks of no one showing . . . but in due time, there will be some one interested and . . . and that’s all I am really hoping for at this point . . . to bring one other person into an awareness of some of the activities of people in the Medieval era. Then in another week or two or three, another person might find some interest . . .and so on. Patience, damn it, patience!!! Oh . . . as always, Starbucks makes a good cup of joe, so the night was not a total waste. And Barnes and Noble always has a few good books to read – found one on chainmail jewelry which was nicely done!

We will begin Game Night on Thursday, January 7, 2010! It will be held at the Cottonwood Barnes and Noble bookstore starting at 7:00pm in the coffee shop. It just so happens that the Westside Chess Club also meets at that time, so anyone interested in joining in a casual game of chess will have some avid players ready and willing to accept the challenge. I will have some Nine Men Morris boards available for those who want to learn and play this Medieval era game! In following weeks, we will be adding more games. Hope to see you there!!!

Just a quick note to all of my readers . . . I hope you have a great holiday season! As the new year begins, I hope that this endeavor will have great success and grow to reach thousands of homeschool students and their families, as well as others who might find my topics and activities of interest. I hope that next week, I will be able to post some specific date/time/location on “Game Night” – if I ever get finished in the workshop with all of the other projects I am doing, maybe I will have some Nine Men Morris boards available for everyone’s usage.
Please take a few moments to make a comment or two about my blog and our activities. You can always send an email – scott@medieval-living.com – if you don’t feel comfortable leaving comments on blogs.
Again, have a wonderful holiday season – I wish that everyone have a safe and joyful new year.

Scott
Medieval Living

While the Albuquerque area has a variety of chess clubs, there are very few opportunities to try some of the lesser know board games from the Medieval period. Beginning in late December or early January, we will begin offering Medieval Game Days . . . where anyone interested can learn to play such games as Nine Man Morris, King’s Table (Tafl), Alquerque, as well as Chess. Once we are through the holiday season, I will post more information on the dates and locations for Medieval Game Days. Anyone interested in reading the rules for these games, go to Modaru University

Game days are open to all . . . however, if there is a large enough interest by home school groups, we will organize a seperate game day location.

I’ve been playing Nine Man Morris online for the past week or two – although my computer opponent continually beats me, I have still enjoyed the challange! So what other Medieval era games are out there? I found an SCAdian’s website which has a very nice list of Medieval games along with their history, directions for play, and descriptions of the required equipment. Baron Modar Neznanich of the Kingdom of Calontir (essentially Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri) discusses such games as Alquerque, Fierges, Fox and Geese, Nyout and Tablut just to name a few! So . . . which of these games do YOU enjoy?

A popular board game during the Medieval era is Nine Man Morris. It still has some popularity, especially among SCA types and other Medievalists. However, there are some Morris groups around the world, and you can even play it online. I saw some very interesting board designs online today and am thinking of making one to put on the auction site. Hope I get it done faster then the inkle loom!!! Depends on how fast I get through the “home” projects I have on the to-do list.