Ideas & Activities: merelles

Games

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There were lots of games that were popular with the Tudors, and many we still play today. From football, skittles, dominoes, board games, cards and dice. Fortunately some of their games are no longer played, like snapdragon, a plate with raisons drenched in brandy is set alight, and the object is to eat as many burning raisins as possible!

Queen Elizabeth I often won at card games, not because she was good, but people were too scared to not let her win! Try playing this favourite Tudor card game called Mumchance:

1. Shuffle the cards and place the pack face down on the table.

2. Each player has to name a card (e.g. 8 of diamonds)

3. The cards from the pack are turned over by each player one at a time.

4. The player whose chosen card is turned over first has won and gets the point.

5. The first one to get to ten points is the winner!

Want to try another game? Link here to play merelles