Ancient Wagers: Exploring Betting Practices from Centuries Past
In medieval times, gambling was a widespread form of entertainment, attracting people from various social classes who would gather in inns and taverns to engage in games of chance. The most popular games included dice, card games, backgammon, baccarat, and checkers, with dice games being particularly popular due to their simplicity and accessibility[1].
One such ruler who indulged in gambling was King Henry VII. His accounts show that he placed wagers worth substantial sums of money, including £10 for tennis betting, £20 worth of gold for a game of cards, and £3 for a round of dice[1]. Unfortunately, King Henry VII's gambling habits led him to incur debts, forcing him to borrow money from those around him[2].
However, gambling was not always encouraged. King Richard I banned gambling for individuals below the ranking of knight during his crusade in 1190, and King Edward IV's parliament followed suit in 1461, banning the activity of dice and cards[1]. King Henry VII continued this anti-gambling stance for commoners, passing a law in 1495 that prevented apprentices, agricultural workers, laborers, and employees in craft from gambling[1].
Despite these restrictions, gambling persisted in various forms. For instance, Thimble-Rig, also known as 'cup and balls', was a scam-like game run by gangs on medieval streets, frequently used to dupe players[1]. Another popular game was Cross and Pile, a variation of heads or tails, and Raffle, a game of chance where players needed to land three dice with identical numbers or hit the highest pair to win[1].
The medieval period also saw the introduction of card games into British culture, which had been popular in China since the early 10th century[2]. The simplification of the rules of the game Hazard led to the evolution of the game known today as Craps[1].
Government-sanctioned lotteries also existed during this time, with the first recorded lottery in England taking place in 1566 to raise funds for the repair of the walls of the town of Berk-upon-Tweed[3].
In conclusion, medieval gambling mainly consisted of dice, card games, and board games such as backgammon and checkers, played socially in public houses or private gatherings with bets placed on outcomes. While gambling was sometimes frowned upon or officially restricted, it remained a popular pastime for many, especially the privileged, throughout the medieval period.
[1] British Library, Medieval Gambling, https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/medieval-gambling [2] History Learning Site, Medieval Gambling, https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval/medieval-life/entertainment/medieval-gambling/ [3] National Archives, Lotteries, https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/timeline/lotteries/
King Henry VII, despite his royal status, had a fondness for casino-and-gambling, taking part in games like tennis betting, card games, and dice, even placing substantial sums of money on these occasions. In contrast, his frequent gambling led him to accumulate debts and seek financial aid from others [2]. On the other hand, blog essays discuss games like Thimble-Rig, Cross and Pile, and Raffle, which were popular scam-like, street-based casino-games during the medieval period, for instance, Thimble-Rig, also known as 'cup and balls,' was commonly used to dupe players.
