The game of chess during Elizabethan England was the most popular board game that was enjoyed by the people. The Elizabethans were truly fascinated by the game of chess, so much so that the greatest dramatis of all times, Shakespeare included this game in his plays. The Game Of Chess Was Popularized By Shakespeare.
Elizabethan Era Entertainment and Sports
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The theatre was a great medium of entertainment during the Elizabethan age. William Shakespeare, the famous dramatist popularized this game in his plays. In The Tempest, Ferdinand and Miranda were seen playing chess, after Ferdinand was stranded in the desolate island inhabited by Prospero, his daughter Miranda and his servant Caliban.
Elizabethan chess was also played by the characters in the play King John. Records say that Queen Elizabeth herself loved playing the game of chess. Chess during Elizabethan England was popular amongst the masses also. Therefore, it was not looked upon as a game of the elite. Everyone played chess during Elizabethan England.
A Little About Chess As It Was Known To The English People Of The Elizabethan Times
Chess was the most popular board game of the English people during the Elizabethan times. 2 examples of popular board games during the Elizabethan times were Backgammon and Nine Men’s Morris. An example of a strategy game was Alquerques. The game was some what like the checkers. Fox and Geese was another example of a strategic game.
Other forms of games played during the Elizabethan times included card games, board games, dice games sporting games and also children’s games. Elizabethan people were fond of gambling. The Elizabethans would often gamble over card games and check out their luck.
What Do These Games Reflect About The Times?
It is obvious that when the Elizabethans had the time to play so many games, the times were very prosperous. During the Elizabethan times, London was the main city of England. Trade and commerce flourished and the filed of arts also prospered. Theater was a vibrant mode of entertainment.
Elizabethan Leisure
The Elizabethan times saw very effective law and order and very good administration. Trade was conducted via the Atlantic Ocean. People got plenty of leisure time in which they indulged them selves in games and they also went to the theatre to watch plays.
Games and the theatre were enjoyed by the people of all classes. Amongst all the games, chess during the Elizabethan times was the most popular game.
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