Reformation Era recreational games

[Puritan Sailor]

I've been trying to find out what kind of recreational games were allowed, encouraged, or forbidden in Calvin's Geneva. I especially wanted to know about games children may have played. Does anyone know what kind of things they did? Any references to it? Thanks!

 

[NaphtaliPress]

I've been trying to find out what kind of recreational games were allowed, encouraged, or forbidden in Calvin's Geneva. I especially wanted to know about games children may have played. Does anyone what kind of things they did? Any references to it? Thanks!

Not to be cute, but lawn bowling was played. And while there are all sorts of reasons to reject Calvin doing this on the Lord's Day, it may have been common enough at other times. But biographers say Calvin's amusements were simple and had to be encouraged by friends at that. Quoits outside in the garden or clef with a ring of keys inside where you toss your ring of keys on a table and see how far you could get without going over the table edge.

 

[Tom Hart]

Quoits outside in the garden or clef with a ring of keys inside where you toss your ring of keys on a table and see how far you could get without going over the table edge.

Sounds like a riot.

 

[NaphtaliPress]

Sounds like a riot.

I thought it but wasn't going to speak it of the Reformer.

 

[Edward]

lawn bowling

If there is ever another get-together in the Metroplex, I'll try to remember to bring my half-century old set of Boulles. Then we can really be like Calvin.

 

[Jack K]

...where you see how far you can get without going off the table edge.

Of course! I know that game! Used to play it all the time as a kid.