At Medieval Festivals there were plenty of events and activities to entertain both adult and children of all classes. There were games and recreational activities such as tournaments. Some of the more popular games were chess, dice or checkers. The highest ranked parents would buy their children the best and most expensive checkered boards and chess piece, thought the boards and pieces could be used for other games as well. Some of the poorer children (as well as the rich ones) invented games such as queek, which was played with a large checker board and stones. Kids would guess what colour the stone would land on. If they guessed right, they would earn a point. Another game that was played was called ‘the Alphabet Game It was cheap and easy for children to understand, which was probably why it was so popular. Most of the children didn't understand that some were upper class and some were lower, and those who did understand didn't care (until they grew up). Once the children had grown into their teens, they would go hunt to support the family.
The {Adult} Activities
Most of the men in town would gamble by playing chess or dice. Only during festivals were the men allowed to gamble, but most men did it anywhere they couldn't get caught. The dice they used weren't cubed like the ones we use today, they were more complicated and had many different shapes. Each dice had a different purpose. The adults also liked to go in to the town during festivals to drink at the local tavern.
The {Outdoor} Activities
Though the games played outside would change due to seasons and weather, the most common were ball games, tug of war, jousting, races, wrestling and stone throwing. During the spring months they would apple bob and hunt near the edge of the forest.
The {Celebrations}
The biggest and more popular festivals were the ones hosted by the most powerful people in the village In the Middle Ages, having or hosting a festival meant you got a higher social status. During any celebration or feast there was a "high table" which was a raised table where the powerful people sat. During one of these celebrations there was jousting and feasts. The entertainers at the celebrations were Jesters, minstrels, acrobats, and jugglers. The feasts that were held were meant to last all day, or even over a few days. The feasts would incorporate many courses of food and lots of entertainment. Some entertainment at festivals were dancing and listening to music, though they differed through the different kinds of towns.
The {Adult} Activities
Most of the men in town would gamble by playing chess or dice. Only during festivals were the men allowed to gamble, but most men did it anywhere they couldn't get caught. The dice they used weren't cubed like the ones we use today, they were more complicated and had many different shapes. Each dice had a different purpose. The adults also liked to go in to the town during festivals to drink at the local tavern.
The {Outdoor} Activities
Though the games played outside would change due to seasons and weather, the most common were ball games, tug of war, jousting, races, wrestling and stone throwing. During the spring months they would apple bob and hunt near the edge of the forest.
The {Celebrations}
The biggest and more popular festivals were the ones hosted by the most powerful people in the village In the Middle Ages, having or hosting a festival meant you got a higher social status. During any celebration or feast there was a "high table" which was a raised table where the powerful people sat. During one of these celebrations there was jousting and feasts. The entertainers at the celebrations were Jesters, minstrels, acrobats, and jugglers. The feasts that were held were meant to last all day, or even over a few days. The feasts would incorporate many courses of food and lots of entertainment. Some entertainment at festivals were dancing and listening to music, though they differed through the different kinds of towns.