Whilst sitting around a campfire, it's fun to have some games to play and tales to tell. Some of these are authentic to the era, some are the creations of Wychwooders themselves, but all are fun!
Historical Games
The Vikings and Anglo-Saxons played all sorts of games. Regia has a page with gives a broard overview of a number of them, whilst Treheima has scholarly examination of the evidence for which games the Vikings played and some good links.
Dice Games
Large numbers of dice dating to Anglo-Saxon England and Viking era Scandinavia have been found. They were made from a variety of materials including antler, bone and walrus ivory (more perishable ones made out of wood or other materials were likely also used). Whilst we do have sources describing dice as being used by people during this time we don't have any surviving description of the kinds of games that were played.* That said some basic games can be assumed and two are listed here:
A similar set of games would be those played with knucklebones. Whilst we don't have any direct evidence of them being played in Anglo-Saxon England or Viking Scandinavia they are a very common kind of game played across much of the world. Wikpedia does provide a good jumping off point for those interested in such games.
*I do feel obliged to note that the lack of description for dice games affects other eras. In ancient Rome the Emperor Claudius apparently wrote a whole book called De arte aleae (On the Art of Dice), but it is sadly a lost work, no doubt a terrible blow to all fans of dice games.
Hnefatafl
This is the quintessential Viking board game and pieces for it have been found almost everywhere the Vikings went. It is similar to Chess, not in how its played, but in that its a game based around ideas of military strategy. It is also unusual in that there are two distinct sides, attackers and defenders. Hnefatafl was replaced by chess during the high and later Medieval era. As a result Hnefatafl not only declined into obscurity but was also never standardised. As a result there are a number of versions, with different rules and board sizes. This website also provides a solid description of the rules and common variants.
For further details:
- Treheima has a page examining all the evidence we have about Tafl games.
- Hnefatafl: the Game of the Vikings this website covers much of the history, rules and versions of Hnefatafl. This article in particular covers different modern versions you may find.
- Game Cabinet has a page on Hnefatafl.
- Noggin the Nog features games based on Hnefatafl.
- Hnæf’s game by Shelagh explains more about why exactly its called "Hnefatafl".
Tabula
Meaning quite literally plank or board this refers to a number of games played on the same kind of board. They are racing games similar to modern day backgammon, with two players racing to get there pieces off of the board first. Whilst there are many variant's across the classical, medieval and modern world the one Wychwood typically plays is Ludus Anglicorum - The English Game.
Shelagh provides an excellent overview and details of how to play Ludus Anglicorum here. A similar, though slightly different game, can be found on that Regia page.
Nine Men's Morris
This is an ancient and quite simple game dating back to the Romans, but still played commonly today. It is a game where two opposing players place pieces on a board, attempting to make lines of three pieces. If a player makes a line of three pieces they remove an opponents piece. The winner is the person who has reduced the number of opponents pieces to less then three (the number needed to make a line of three of course). More discussion on the rules can be found on that Regia page and also here.
Printable boards to play Hnefatafl and Nine Men's Morris can be found here. The boards are annotated with grid references so you can play over video.
Riddles
The Anglo-Saxons loved riddles, and a reasonable chunk of the literature we have from them consists of the riddles they made. Riddles were made in both Old English and in Latin, and many have been translated.
- The wonderfully titled website The Riddle Ages has a huge collection of both Latin and Old English riddles, translated into modern English and some other languages as well.
- The Riddles of the Exeter Book can also be found here on wikisource.
- Some Wychwooders have made there own riddles, they can be found here:Wychwood Riddles
Plays
Plays can be performed at feasts, as an entertainment in the hall at Hauksby or, as in 2020, the Year of Plague, read out dramatically in video meetings.
All plays are copyright to the original author and may be performed freely, but not reproduced without permission or without crediting the author. It is fine to link to the original resource on this wiki.
Dramatisations of Norse Myths
These are based off of real Norse legends, though the dramatisations are very much modern.
- The Myth of Skaði and Njord
- The Myth of Fenrir
- The Myth of Utgard Loki part 1
- The Myth of Utgard Loki part 2
- The Myth of Cross-Dressing Thor
- The Myth of Baldr
- The Myth of the Lokasenna
Dramatisations of Saxon Myths
These are based off of real Saxon stories, though the dramatisations are very much modern.
Wychwood Originals
These are, if anything, a way for Wychwooders to remember there glory days.
- Clav the mighty sock (praise be to Clav). This was a play composed for a Hauksby trip back in the 2010s, it was revived for a feast in October 2024. During a practice we may have been so loud as to have a fellow of Merton college storm in to tell us to be quiet.
- Malfare the (Slightly) Musical. It would be hard to explain easily what exactly this sort of musical is about, but it does relate to the titles specified in the Doom Book.
Wychwood's Games
Feast Games
- Feast Games These are games of strength which (with proper oversight and organisation) can be played safely in the confines of a feast hall.
Random Games
Role Playing Games
- In the years of plague (2020-2021) Wychwood met online and among other things played an RPG set in Anglo-Saxon Oxford. It is not a complicated game and the rules of it can be found here: Wychwood Chronicles Rules.
- There was also Viking Space Truckers (rules will hopefully be added in time), a much less serious game set in outer space.
See also our page on Fighting Games, which are definitely NOT recommended for campfire use!
