Medieval Games we Still Play | The Medieval Legacy

Summary

The transcript delves into the history of games and gambling in medieval society, highlighting the Church's condemnation of such activities as sinful and even diabolic. It covers the origins of dice and playing cards, their evolution in the medieval period, and the role of these games in society. The work of historian Johan Huizinga is referenced, emphasizing play as an intrinsic human activity predating culture and essential to civilization. Through historical anecdotes and scholarly perspectives, the transcript sheds light on the enduring legacy of play and its significance in human development.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Church condemned games like dice and cards as sinful, viewing them as activities that undermined God's creation and order.
• 😀 Bernardino of Siena, a fiery 15th-century Franciscan reformer, equated gambling with a diabolical Black Mass, associating it with sin and moral corruption.
• 😀 Dice, while not invented in medieval times, were widely used, while playing cards originated in China and spread to Western Asia in the 9th to 11th centuries.
• 😀 Early Persian playing cards had 12 cards per suit, later evolving into a 13-card deck by the 15th century with suits like cups, swords, coins, and batons.
• 😀 Tarot cards originated from medieval playing cards, with extra allegorical or astrological scenes and were originally called 'Triomphi' or trumps.
• 😀 The Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, is credited with commissioning some of the first luxury playing card decks in the 15th century.
• 😀 The oldest European printed decks came from Germany, replacing Arabic and Persian suits with local symbols such as hearts, shields, and acorns.
• 😀 Some early card designs, like the Flemish hunting deck, used hand-drawn illustrations, reflecting the regional nature of medieval games.
• 😀 The Church’s disapproval of games extended to the cost of luxury items like playing cards, with one deck costing as much as eight sheep in the 15th century.
• 😀 Play, according to historian Johan Huizinga in *Homo Ludens*, is a fundamental aspect of humanity, older than culture itself, and the generator of art and civilization.

Q & A

What were the main concerns of medieval critics regarding gaming?

Medieval critics, particularly religious figures, condemned gaming as blasphemous. They believed it subverted the order of God's creation, distracted people from spiritual duties, and promoted immoral behavior such as greed, drunkenness, and violence.

How did Bernardino of Siena describe gambling in his sermons?

Bernardino of Siena likened gambling to a diabolic Black Mass, where the priest was the Devil and the dice were his excrement. He criticized the behavior of gamblers, claiming they replaced prayers with sighs over losses and communion with drunkenness, ultimately leading to despair and sin.

What was the significance of dice and cards in medieval gaming culture?

Dice and cards played central roles in medieval gaming, though they were often condemned by the church. Dice have ancient origins, while cards were a medieval innovation, first appearing in China and spreading to the West by the 11th century. Both were viewed as games of chance that conflicted with religious values.

Where did the concept of playing cards originate, and how did they evolve?

Playing cards originated in China around the 9th century and spread to Western Asia by the 11th century. In medieval Persia, cards had 12 cards per suit. By the 15th century, the European deck evolved to include 13 cards per suit, including court cards such as the King, Queen, and Jack, with suits like cups, swords, coins, and batons.

What were the early European card decks like?

Early European card decks were often handmade and costly, such as those commissioned by the Duke of Milan in the mid-15th century. These decks featured elaborate designs resembling modern tarot cards, with trumps representing various allegorical or astrological themes.

How did the invention of printing impact the production of playing cards?

The invention of printing in the 15th century allowed for the mass production of playing cards, making them more accessible. Before this, decks were specially commissioned for individual patrons, often at great expense. Printed cards replaced earlier intricate handmade designs.

What themes were common in early European card suits?

Early European card suits replaced traditional Arabic and Persian symbols with motifs like hearts, shields, acorns, leaves, and bells. The Flemish hunting deck, for instance, featured hunting-related imagery like horns, collars for hounds, and nooses for game.

How did the role of the court cards change in European card decks?

In European card decks, the role of the court cards evolved. The vizier became the Queen, and the vizier's deputy became the Jack or Knave. This transformation was similar to the structure in chess, where the vizier evolved into the Queen.

What was the cultural significance of local gaming variations in medieval society?

Local gaming variations were an important aspect of medieval culture, often tied to regional festivals and community traditions. The existence of unique house rules for different sports and games highlights the significance of play in societal life and the collective identity of communities.

What is the main argument of Johan Huizinga's *Homo Ludens* regarding the role of play in human society?

Johan Huizinga's *Homo Ludens* argues that play is fundamental to human nature and civilization. He suggests that play predates culture and is a vital, creative force that underpins art and social structures. Huizinga viewed play as a distinct and essential form of life that shapes human society.