Hello all! It has been a while, but welcome back to our Gaming and Gambling series, where we look at games, sports and activities that were found in the Elizabethan culture. Today, we journey back to explore one of Europe’s earliest and most enduring board games: The Game of the Goose.
A Glimpse into History
Originating in Italy during the mid 16th century, The Game of the Goose quickly captivated European nobility. It is suggested that Francesco de Medici introduced the game to King Philip II of Spain, after which it found it’s way into England as well as the majority of Europe.
One of the earliest known versions of the game board is housed in the British Museum. This 18th-century print features a spiral track of 63 spaces, each adorned with symbolic illustrations, culminating in a central image of a goose.
Artistry and Symbolism
The game’s design is rich with symbolism. Spaces like the bridge, inn, well, and prison represent life’s trials and tribulations, while the goose symbolizes good fortune, propelling players forward when landed upon. The spiral path itself is thought to mirror the journey of life, filled with unexpected turns and challenges.
An exquisite example of the game’s craftsmanship is the late 16th-century Indian game board from Gujarat, combining The Game of the Goose with chess. Crafted from ebony, ivory, horn, and gold wire, this artifact resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A Game of Chance and Morality
Unlike strategic games, The Game of the Goose is purely chance-based, relying solely on dice rolls. This element of luck made it a popular gambling pastime, found everywhere from tavern yards to the decks of ships. However, its moral undertones were not lost on society. The game’s allegorical nature—depicting the journey of life with its virtues and vices—served both as entertainment as well as a educational reminder.
The game is not one that fell out of fashion either. In the early 1900s, the game could be found as one of the prizes in the holiday tradition of Christmas crackers that was adapted by the Tom Smith cracker company.
In Mexico, renowned printmaker José Guadalupe Posada created a version of the game around 1900–1910, infusing it with local cultural elements. This print, titled Juego de la Oca, is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection.
First History – Now …The Rules of the Game
The Game of the Goose is played on a spiral board with 63 numbered spaces, and typically accommodates 2 to 6 players, however it can be played solo if one so chooses. Here’s how to play:
- Starting the Game:
- Each player chooses a token and places it on space 1.
- Players roll two six-sided dice to determine who goes first.
- Moving:
- Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their token forward the total number of spaces.
- The goal is to reach space 63 exactly. If the roll would take the player beyond 63, they must “bounce back” the remaining number of spaces.
- Special Spaces:
- Geese (spaces 5, 9, 14, 18, 23, 27, 32, 36, 41, 45, 50, 54, 59): Move again the same number just rolled.
- The Bridge (space 6): Move ahead to space 12.
- The Inn (space 19): Miss one turn.
- The Well (space 31): Remain stuck until another player lands here; that player then takes your place and you may move on your next turn.
- The Maze (space 42): Return to space 30.
- The Prison (space 52): Miss three turns or until another player lands here and takes your place.
- Death (space 58): Return to the start (space 1).
- Winning the Game:
- The first player to land exactly on space 63 wins.
- If a player overshoots, they must count back from 63 the number of spaces they overshot and remain there until their next turn.
Conclusion
The Game of the Goose stands as a testament to the enduring human fascination with chance, morality, and the journey of life. Its rich history and symbolic depth continue to captivate scholars, enthusiasts and historians alike. It happens to be a favorite in the Trayn’d Bandes. Next time you visit the encampment, feel free to join us!
