People in the Middle Ages had many hobbies. But what were they? You’re about to find out!

Medieval people played a variety of games that helped them learn, strategize, and improve themselves. A few games were just games, like Hot Cockles. Many games were gambling games. Different classes might play distinctive games, and alternate ages of people might have their own original games and interests.

What were those particular interests, games, and hobbies? Read below to find out more.

What Games did Rich People Play in the Middle Ages?

The wealthy nobleman had to run their estates, noblewomen had their jobs, the kings had to run their country, and queens ruled alongside their husbands. The rich of the Middle Ages were sometimes busy, but they also had some leisure time. They filled it up with many games, sports, and other pastimes.

The men would joust, and the women would watch. The women would practice their needlework and weaving.

They also used needlework to impress visitors and friends. Together, the men and women would participate in hunting, hawking, and horse riding.

They would also compete together in parlor games like Hot Cockles and Hoodman Blind (Blind Man’s Bluff). Many people enjoyed board games that taught strategies such as Chess, Fox and Geese, and Backgammon. They could play these games for hours. They would also compete in games of chance like Knucklebone and Hazards, which had little or no value.

In addition, other outdoor sports for men were things like archery, fencing, and wrestling. There were books for people who could read. There were not many, but there were a few.

Finally, many people could dance, and they did it as a form of leisure. Some sang or played instruments.

What Games did Poor People Play in the Middle Ages?

The poor in the Middle Ages had the chance to have fun and enjoy their own hobbies and games. One game they would play was a complicated game called Hazards, which has evolved into a simplified version, Craps.

They would play Knucklebones and other gambling games. In addition, Skittles was one outdoor game. It was like bowling.

It had nine pins that people had to knock over with a ball. Many people enjoyed plain and simple wrestling, roughhousing, and brawling. Sometimes, people could visit the theater, or traveling plays would come around. Occasionally, people around the village might host their own theatrical plays.

During warmer weather, people enjoyed swimming in the local ponds and streams. One practical pastime, and hobby, was fishing.

It was convenient because people could bring home food for their tables. Finally, one of their less helpful pastimes was drinking alcohol.

They used money, but they enjoyed drinking, and sometimes it would turn into wrestling or brawling.

What Games did Children Play in the Middle Ages?

Children have lots of fun in Modern Times, but where were they allowed to have fun in the Middle Ages? Yes! Children had hobbies in the Middle Ages, and you might recognize some because you might have played some of them as a kid. The boys would play things like Leapfrog and Tug-a-War.

Another game they may have played sounds like my family. They played war games! They would also have toy weapons for their games; sometimes, they made them out of sticks. Because of their warlike culture and time, they had to learn how to fight somewhere.

Other toys they had were tops, balls, and whatever they came up with. On nearby waterways, they would make boats to float, and sometimes they would race them. While the boys had more warlike hobbies, the girls played things that prepared them for motherhood. As a mother and a wife, they would have to hold events, care for babies, sew clothing, and set the table, among other things. So, as children, the girls would play with dolls called poppets.

They could cuddle, rock, and love these little toys. Sometimes, they would use toy dishes to learn how to set the table. As adults, women, often rich women, would have to host weddings and parties, so the children would practice running make-believe events. And just like today, the girls would play dress-ups when they had clothing available. Their mothers would teach them how to sew and cook so that as adults, they could take care of themselves and their families.

What Was Hawking?

What sport combines catching food and showing off for your friends? One such sport is hawking, though only for people who can afford hawks. They would take their hawks out into the woods and the hawk would hunt for them. The type of bird and its gender were based on your rank.

First, the only person allowed to own a Gyrfalcon was a king, and it didn’t matter what gender the bird was. Second, ordinary Peregrine Falcons were for Princes.

Upper nobility usually used subspecies of Peregrine falcons. Next came Dukes, with a subspecies of Peregrine Falcon called a Rock Falcon. After the Duke, the earl came. Male Tiercel Peregrine Falcons were for them. Knights used Saker Falcons while Squires used Lanners.

Ladies used female Merlins when they went hawking. They often enjoyed it as much as the men, and the meat fed them too.

Priests used female Sparrowhawks and Holy water Clerks used male Sparrowhawks.

What Horses did Rich People Use in the Middle Ages?

Many hobbies in the Middle Ages required horses. Most castles even had their own stables, but what filled them?

One kind of horse may have been Palfrey Horses. Mild-mannered with a smooth gait, they were sweet and great to have on long journeys since they were comfortable to ride on. They were used in battle because they were sure-footed and quick.

Thanks to their elegant look, these horses were in parades a lot. They were more for the rich because they were expensive. Another gentle horse, this one prized by ladies, was the Jennet. It was a mini walking horse, and pilgrims liked them, too, since they didn’t have to pack as much horse food as the larger Palfreys.
For the Noblemen, in their warlike times, there were likely a few Destriers in the stable. Destriers were bred to be fearless in battle and were strong enough to carry their armor-clad knights. The Charger (or Courser) was a fast horse.

It helped pass messages, race, and escape from battle. When going to war, the wealthy brought multiple horses with different uses. They would bring horses to ride on most of the time, horses to ride into battle, and horses to run away from a battle gone wrong. They had other kinds of horses, but these are the most likely to be in their stable.

Medieval people had hobbies that varied wildly. What are your hobbies? Do you share any hobbies with medieval people? Let me know in the comments!

To read more…

(and check out my sources)

For the leisure of the wealthy, read…

Leisure in an English Medieval Castle – World History Encyclopedia

What People Did To Entertain Themselves In The Middle Ages – About History

For Peasant’s hobbies, I suggest…

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-did-peasants-have-fun

For more about medieval children hobbies, I enjoyed…

https://www.theclassroom.com/games-did-children-play-medieval-times-18450.html

A little bit more about hawking…

https://medieval.nd.edu/news-events/news/falcons-and-hawks-visit-campus/

Hawking

Medieval Hawking

Some more about horses in the Middle Ages…

Horses in the Middle Ages-1304A

A few of my related posts…

What Animals Were Kept in a Medieval Castle?

The Life Of Wealthy Girls In The Middle Ages

Life of Peasant Women in Medieval Times

The Lives of Rich Men in the Gothic Period

The Life of Poor Men in the Middle Ages

A few others you may enjoy…

Cuisine of Wealthy People in the Middle Ages

Heraldry in the Middle Ages for Modern People

Everything About Chivalry in the Medieval Times

Did People Celebrate Birthdays in the Middle Ages?

If you want to read more that I’ve done, visit…

lifelong ago.com