How to Cite
License (Chapter)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Identifiers (Book)
Published
Kinderspiele, Wurfspiele, Zielschießen, Wettkämpfe, Fußball, Glücksspiele, Kartenspiele, beschrieben in Absolutions-Gesuchen an die Poenitentiaria Apostolica (ca. 1440–1500)
Abstract The petitions submitted to the Apostolic Penitentiary in Rome contain frequent refer ences to – and sometimes even detailed descriptions of – various games, to which are often attached the local names. In order to gain absolution, the petitioners, almost ex clusively clerics, first had to explain precisely their responsibility regarding the death of another person (here, caused by accidents during play). The source thus provides plenty of unexpected information on children’s games, throwing games, ball games (even with an early description of a football game in the diocese of Glasgow, 1441!), mock fencing, tournaments, wrestling, bullfighting, shooting, swimming; but also dice and card games (then still recent) and other games from all European countries with many details on rules, arrangements, geographic distribution patterns and specific risks of late medieval ludic activities, often described vividly, sometimes even in direct speech („I won the game!“; „No, I did!“, „No, it was me!“). Religious plays (sacra rappresentazione) are also described.
