Reconstruction

Referenced from:

Tali at the Roman Board Games site -- URL via the Wayback Machine. (more)
1on1 Backgammon on Tabula -- (more)
Justin's reconstruction of Laugh and Lie Down -- (more)
Justin on Dublets -- (more)
16th century Rhythmomachy -- A reconstruction of the later form of the game described in Fulke. (more)
Michael Wolffauer on Trappola -- (more)
Smithsonian Learning Center on Hnefetafl -- (more)
Eachna's Celtic Knucklebones Page -- Has some nice practical information about crafting early sorts of dice, and a concise description of the Roman dicing game Tali. (more)
The Asia Society on Sugoroku -- Brief, but useful. (more)
Low Company reconstruction of Ticktack -- Reconstruction by Alessandro the Storyteller, with help from Justin du Coeur (more)
Michael Wolffauer on Wari -- (more)
Description at Chess Variants -- (more)
Game Cabinet on Tablero -- Apparently Tablero da Gucci has leaked out into the public as "Toblaro", purportedly from Scotland. The folk process in action... (more)
Dagonell on Tag Games -- (more)
A description of Kaiserspiel -- A descendant of Karnoeffel, still played in the modern day (more)
Parlett on Reversis -- (more)
Justin on Irish -- (more)
Susan Granquist's page on Tafl -- A relatively brief description. (more)
Jean-Louis Cazaux' speculations about Ashtapada -- This page has an in-depth discussion about why the author disagrees with HJR Murray's reconstruction, and provides his own best guess about how the game way played. (more)
Parlett on Costly Colors -- Goes into some detail about what little we know about the game (more)
Dagonell on Hazard -- (more)
A reconstruction from the Avacal Games Guild -- (more)
Description from Abstract Games -- Discussion of Alquerques and a bunch of similar games. (more)
Margaret's reconstruction of Piquet -- (more)
Irving Finkel's detailed reconstruction of the game -- A more-than-typically detailed writeup of the game, the available source material, and how to interpret it. (more)
Michel's reconstruction of Losing Loadum -- PDF (more)
Ruben's reconstruction of Pechigonga -- (more)
So You Have This Backgammon Board -- A brief PDF introduction to several period Tables variations. (more)
YouTube video teaching Nine Men's Morris -- (more)
Mats Winther's reconstruction -- Specifically discusses the dicing variant. As is Mats' usual interest, spends some time discussing the possibility of using the game for divination. URL via the Wayback Machine (more)
Parlett on Ombre -- (more)
Rhythmomachy Basics -- An introduction to the common concepts of the game (more)
Hnefatafl World Championship -- Run by the Fetlar organization, and gives a bit of info about the game itself (more)
A news article about reconstructing Kottabos -- Talks a little about the reconstruction process, and has a video of people playing at the game. (more)
Dagonell's discussion of Bowling -- (more)
Anton de Stoc's reconstruction of Trump -- This is a transcription of a brief fragment of a language text, and a reconstruction of Trump based on it. (more)
Strawberry's reconstruction of Karnöffel -- A dash of history, and a couple of reconstructions. (more)
Modar on Tablut -- (more)
A brief description on the Landsknecht info site -- (more)
Modar on Pall-Mall -- Includes a speculative reconstruction of "Ground Billiards". (more)
Bassetta, A Renaissance Italian Card Game -- (more)
Michel's reconstruction of Gleek -- An in-depth PDF about Gleek (more)
Ruben's reconstruction of Truc -- (more)
Dagonell on Quoits and Horseshoes -- (more)
Description at Chess Variants -- Includes a dicing variant. (more)
James Wickson's reconstruction of early Tarot -- (more)
Traditional Game Rules -- James Masters' site, some of which is indexed by game here. Some of this is period, but not all. (more)
Dagonell on Teetotums -- He reasons that the game is probably similar to Dreidels. (more)
Mats Winther's Board Game page -- Via the Wayback Machine. (more)
Description at The History of Chess -- (more)
YouTube video teaching Latrunculi -- (more)
Description on The History of Chess -- (more)
Modar on Fierges -- (more)
Abbas Agraphicus -- The Hnefatafl-focused blog of Alessandro Arzani (more)
Bowls at the Virtual Museum -- Based on the Brueghel painting. (more)
Mats Winther's Description -- URL via the Wayback Machine. (more)
Dagonell on Gameball -- (more)
Modar's reconstruction of 2-player Alouette -- Based on work by Brusten de Bearsul (more)
Norse Games -- An interesting article from Ravensgard. (more)
Parlett on Laugh and Lie Down -- (more)
Tablero da Gucci at the Game Cabinet -- This sounds like a pretty authoritative description of the drinking game. (more)
YouTube video teaching Ludus Latrunculorum -- (more)
Blind Man's Buff at the Virtual Museum -- Based on the Brueghel painting. (more)
Le Jeu de Trictrac -- A substantial page in French, focused on Trictrac. (more)
Medieval European Chess at The History of Chess -- A very good, not-too-long description of core SCA-period chess. (more)
A Medieval Battle of Numbers -- An overview of Rhythmomachy by Peter Mebben, one of the more serious students of the game. (more)
Backgammon Galore on Tabula -- (more)
Dagonell on Knucklebones -- Includes Gomme's description of "Fivestones". (more)
Galleron's reconstructed Pochspiel board -- Posted by Master Galleron de Cressy on DeviantArt. (more)
Balls! -- A general page on the manufacture of game balls and some of the games played with them in period. (more)
Still More Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century Card Games -- Part of a series by Earl Dafydd ap Gwystl, this includes reconstructions of several games. (more)
Modar's reconstruction of Basset -- Based on work by Brusten de Bearsul (more)
Mats Winther on Fox and Geese -- Notes several setup variations. (more)
David Parlett's reconstruction of Gleek -- (more)
Parlett on Penneech -- (more)
Dagonell's description -- (more)
Justin's reconstruction of Noddy and Early Cribbage -- (more)
Rithmomachia on Game Cabinet -- (more)
Description at Chess Variants -- Includes a Zillions implementation. (more)
A possible Bowling variant -- From the Virtual Museum, based on the Brueghel painting. (more)
Description on Chess Variants -- (more)
The Game Cabinet on Senet -- Includes a couple of different reconstructions. (more)
Trump, transcribed by Antron de Stoc -- A section from Bellot's Familiar Dialogues (1586). Includes a quick reconstruction, as well as a Lochac variant. (more)
Full Tamerlane Chess at The History of Chess -- Yet a further variant of Tamerlane's, with even more pieces. This is the most brain-breakingly baroque version of Chess I have yet encountered. One of these days, I may try making a set, just to try this mess out. (more)
Board Game Studies -- The main journal of board games research, recently (2014) rebooted as an online journal. Currently run by Ludus, a Portugese games organization. Not exclusively historical or SCA-period, but has enough relevant material to be worth keeping an eye on.

The predecessor paper journal ran for half a dozen issues over a number of years, but isn't easy to get a hold of. (more)

Parlett on Loo -- He has several reconstructions, and is looking at a broader sweep of history; I haven't yet checked his writeup against Cotton specifically yet. (more)
Justin's preliminary reconstruction of Ruff and Honours -- (more)
Merels at the Museum of Games -- (more)
YouTube video teaching Hnefatafl -- Slightly clumsy presentation style, but useful for folks who learn best from a live presentation. (more)
Ruben's reconstruction of Cacho -- (more)
Ruben's reconstruction of Rentoy -- (more)
Justin's description of Early French Tarot -- Largely based on Michael Dummett's The Game of Tarot (more)
Inn and Inn from the Ace's Boke -- Period-style text (more)
Michel Wolffauer's writeup on Tarot -- PDF, adapted from Justin's version (more)
David Levy's Trictrac Homepage -- Via the Wayback Machine. (more)
Period-style intro to Rhythmomachy -- From the Ace's Boke (more)
A period-style description of Piquet -- Not actually period -- a modern writeup of the game, using Elizabethan-style English (more)
An alternate version on Chess Variants -- (more)
Sonja Musser Golladay's Dissertation on the Alfonso MS (PDF) -- A PDF copy of the full, 1400-page tome about the Alfonso. This is the single most important source when working on this MS, including a full translation, lots of notes and reconstruction details, information about the culture and context, and so on. (more)
David Parlett on Noddy -- Nicely detailed description, including some history (more)
Period-style description of Irish -- From the Ace's Boke. Note that this is a modern writeup in period style! (more)
Description at Chess Variants -- (more)
Justin on Tafl -- Largely adapted from Murray and Ragnar. (more)
Dagonell on Rithmomachy -- (more)
Modar's reconstruction of 4-player Alouette -- Based on work from Brusten de Bearsul (more)
Michel Wolffauer's reconstruction of El Mundo -- PDF, two pages (more)
Description at The History of Chess -- (more)
Laugh and Lie Down Cheat Sheet -- A one-page PDF summary, adapted by Michel from Justin's reconstruction (more)
Damian Walker's Hnefetafl Site -- A large and deep site on All Things Hnefetafl, and really, on the Tafl family in general. Especially strong sections on Archaeological Finds, Literary Sources, and stuff like that. (more)
Modar on Bocce -- (more)
Jeff Suzuki's reconstruction of Primero -- (more)
Jean-Louis Cazaux' History of Chess -- An excellent in-depth site, giving lots of information on the topic. Discusses the history, the archaeology, lots of papers about chess, many variations (including a lot of Eastern variants), etc. (more)
A brief description on the Landsknecht page -- (more)
Parlett on Losing Lodam -- (more)
Description at the History of Chess -- Not a terribly detailed reconstruction. (more)
Modar on Fox and Geese -- (more)
Description on Chess Variants -- (more)
Modar's reconstruction of Tarok -- An Eastern European variant. (more)
Sonja Musser Golladay's dissertation on the Alfonso MS (hardcopy) -- This link is a search into University Microfilms' dissertation service. Golladay's dissertation is the masterwork on the Alfonso MS, including a full translation, copious notes and reconstruction details, and all sorts of information about the art and culture surrounding the book. It is a must-have for anyone researching this text. (more)
Hazard on the Landsknecht page -- (more)
How to Play Ruff and Honours -- Described on their Whist page, as a variant. (more)
Justin's reconstruction of Bone-Ace -- (more)
Magnus' reconstruction and implementation of Metromachy -- Pulling together Justin's transcription and Steffan's translation, Magnus tied it all together, reconstructed the rules, and built an online implementation. (more)
Description at Chess Variants -- (more)
Michel Wolffauer on Chess of the Four Seasons -- A nice concise writeup on how to play. (more)
A reconstruction of La Bete by the Low Company -- At this point, I regard this reconstruction as seriously questionable; I'll put together a more plausible one when I have time. (more)
Mats Winther on Halatafl -- As usual, he states his case strongly and includes a software implementation. Not clear to me whether he's correct, but he does include a previous reconstruction as well. (more)
Description on Chess Variants -- (more)
YouTube video teaching Duodecima Scripta -- (more)
Mats Winther on Tablut -- Via the Wayback Machine. Includes a Zillions implementation. (more)
A period-style description of Tarot -- Not a primary source; this is a modern reconstruction written in Elizabethan-style language, from the Ace's Boke. (more)
Ragnar Thorbergsson's Analysis of Tafl -- One of the more important articles on the subject, this doesn't just use the sources, it also does some analysis of the playability of different reconstructions, in order to find the most plausible reconstruction. (more)
David Whittaker's reconstruction of Primero -- This link is via the Wayback Machine. (more)
How to Play Whist -- Includes a number of variations from various times. (more)
Ruffe and Trump -- A concise summary of the rules of the game. Seems reasonably accurate, aside from referring to the game as "medieval". (more)
Description at The History of Chess -- Goes into more detail about this game than most sites. (more)
Discussion on The History of Chess -- (more)
Parlett on Karnoeffel -- (more)
Justin's reconstruction of Seven-Sided Backgammon -- One of my prouder achievements, this reconstruction has caught on pretty widely. (more)
YouTube video teaching Three Men's Morris -- (more)
Parlett on Maw -- (more)
The Loop Within Circular Three Men's Morris -- An analysis of the possible situations within this ancient Morris variant. (more)
Dagonell on Shove Groat -- (more)
Gambling Games -- Baron Aurddeilen-ap-Robet provides a likely reconstruction based on other games of this period. (more)
Jeff Johnston's reconstruction of One-and-Thirty and Bone-Ane -- (more)
Dagonell on Tablero -- (more)
Justin's description of Bryncir -- Based on Brusten's reconstruction (more)
Backgammon Galore on Fayles -- (more)
YouTube video teaching Gluckhaus -- (more)
Merels in the Ace's Boke -- Period-style text, but not actually period. (more)
Edward of Effingham on Sugoroku -- A page on Effingham's Online Japanese Miscellary, which goes into all sorts of topics about SCA-period Japan. (more)
Description on The History of Chess -- (more)
YouTube video teaching Jactus -- (more)
Justin's reconstruction of Ruff and Trump -- (more)
Dagonell's description of Boules -- (more)
Modar on Wari -- (more)
Alternate reconstruction of Grande Acedrex -- A very detailed reconstruction that goes back to the Alfonso MS and looks at it carefully. (more)
Rules to Goose at Kadon Enterprises -- (more)
Fidchell in Dreoilin's Weblog -- A discussion of the game of Fidchell, plus a lot of cultural background. (more)
Ruben's reconstruction of Flor -- (more)
A period-style description of Gleek -- Justin's writeup of Gleek from the Ace's Boke. This is a modern reconstruction, written in Elizabethan style. (more)
The Battle of Numbers -- An overview of Rhythmomachy, focused on the mathematical aspects, published by the American Mathematical Society. (more)
Dagonell on Gluckshaus -- (more)
Dagonell on Curling -- (more)
Justin's reconstruction of Picket -- (more)
Count and Capture Games at the Museum of Games -- This page has a good overview of the family; at the bottom are links to boards and rules from many different countries. (more)
Description on Chess Variants -- (more)
Description at The History of Chess -- (more)
Michel Wolffauer's handout on Tafl -- PDF, 2 pages (more)
Gwyddbwyll reconstruction from Y Camamseriad -- A nicely detailed article on the Gwyddbwyll and Towlbrwdd, which may or may not be the same game. (more)
Modar on Game of the Goose -- Illustrated with the Kadon Enterprises board. (more)
Sten Helmfrid on Tafl Games -- Nominally focused on Hnefetafl, but really a fine, deeply detailed overview of the entire family. (more)
Justin's reconstruction of Gleek -- (more)
So You Have This Chess Set -- A quick PDF introduction to several period Chess variations. (more)
Modar's reconstruction of All Fours -- (more)
Wareham Forge on Hnefetafl -- Includes a bunch of links. (more)
Dagonell on Dwyle Flonking -- (more)
Discussion at The History of Chess -- By far the most detailed discussion of this game that I know of. Mainly focuses on debunking the myths about the antiquity of this variant, arguing strongly that, while it is SCA-period, it isn't as ancient as folks usually claim. (more)
A brief description of Primero on the Landsknecht page -- (more)
Michel Wolffauer on Hopscotch -- (more)
Description on Chess Variants -- (more)
Dagonell on Hopscotch -- (more)
How to Play Cribbage -- Includes several more-recent variations. (more)
Backgammon Galore on Trictrac -- (more)
Justin's reconstructions of Primero -- Covering English and Italian separately. (more)
A preliminary reconstruction of Maw by Glenn Overby -- Dead page -- this pointer is to the Wayback Machine. (Please support the Wayback Machine -- it is an invaluable service to all researchers.) (more)
The Game Cabinet on Tafl Games -- An overview of the family, including some of the more distant cousins, Seega and Latrunculi. (more)
Modar's reconstruction of As Nas -- Based on work by Brusten de Bearsul (more)
Period-style Elizabethan Rhythmomachy Rules -- An Ace's Boke rewrite of my reconstruction of 16th century Rhythmomachy (more)
Period-style description of Tafl -- From the Ace's Boke. This is a modern reconstruction, written in period style. (more)
Description from the British Chess Variants Society -- Mostly a little bit of analysis of the game. (more)
Dagonell on Goose -- A concise description, plus an outline for a live-action version to play with kids. (more)
How to Play Piquet -- Includes a pretty detailed description of play, as well as several more-recent variations. (more)
Michael Wolffauer on Poch -- (more)
Modar's reconstruction of Karnoffel -- Based on work by Brusten de Bearsul (more)
Strawberry's reconstruction of Thirty-One -- Reconstruction of Thirty-One, with sources pushing the game all the way back into the 15th century. (more)
Roman Board Games -- Wally J. Kowalski's reconstructions of various pre-period games. (more)
Backgammon Galore on Irish -- (more)
The Reasoned Dictionary of Trictrac -- A big site, mostly arranged as an enormous dictionary of terms and concepts of Trictrac. Theoretically in both English and French, but in practice the English support is quite weak. Includes an Initiatory Course in Trictrac. (more)
Description on The History of Chess -- (more)
Dwyle Flunking at the Virtual Museum -- Based on the Brueghel painting. (more)
Lady Gwir ferch John on Noddy -- (more)
Dagonell on Kubb -- (more)
Hazard on the Tattershall Arms page -- (more)
Modar's description -- (more)
Description on Chess Variants -- (more)
Dagonell on Morris Games -- (more)
Description on Chess Variants -- (more)
Shogi Rules -- A nice clear description of how to play Shogi, with lots of pictures. (more)
Mats Winther on Gala -- Via the Wayback Machine. (more)
Backgammon Galore on Doublets -- (more)
A brief description of several games, at Tattershall Arms -- (more)
The Chess Variant Pages -- The most important site on the subject, covering an enormous spectrum of chess variations, both period and modern. Note particularly the Historic Chess Variants page, which collects all historical versions. Many of the Variant links go into there. (more)
Gluckhaus at The Reverend's Musings -- A good quick description of the game, with a little history and illustrations of several boards. (more)
Description on Chess Variants -- (more)
An in-depth paper on Metromachy -- Written in French, including a translation of the Latin primary source into French. (Sadly for us English monoglots.) (more)
Michel Wolffauer's handout for his Go class -- PDF, three pages (more)
Ringing the Bull at Traditional Games -- (more)
Trondheim Hnefatafl Board Fragment -- Some notes about a relatively recently found board, and some thoughts about its possible implications. (more)
Cats at Cards -- A site focused on teaching the rules for a wide variety of card games. Mostly post-period, but includes good descriptions of several period games. (more)
Mats Winther's description -- Via the Wayback Machine. (more)
The Viking Answer Lady on Tafl Games -- A lovely, detailed article on the Tafl family in general, outlining the major variants. (more)