Epistula XII hic te aedificatus culcitis torus, hic tabula calculis strata bicoloribus, hic tessera frequens eboratis resultatura pyrgorum gradibus expectat.Epistle XIIHere there await you a couch built with cushions, a game board laid out with bicolored stones, and dice ready to fly from the ivory steps of the pyrgus.

The "Book of the Deeds of Ardashir, son of Pabag" (Kārnāmag ī Ardašīr ī Pābagān) was written in Middle Persian (Pahlavi) around 600 AD; it recounts the heroic and legendary rise of Ardashir I, the founder of the Sassanid dynasty, who reigned from 224 to 242.The oldest copy dates back to 1322: it is the MK manuscript (named in honor of Mihrabān Kayhusraw, its Iranian scribe), which is preserved in Bombay, India. The name Nēw-Ardaxšīr, meaning 'the noble Ardashir,' underwent phonetic contraction over time, evolving from 'Nardašīr' into the simplified form 'Nard'.Chapter II, paragraphs 10-12ud ardawān ka-š ardaxšīr dīd šād būd ud grāmīg kard, ud framūd kū harw rōz abāg frazandān ud wāspuhragān ī xwēš ō naxčīr ud čawgān šawēd, ud ardaxšīr hamgōnag kard. pad yazadān ayārīh pad čawgān ud aswārīh, čatrang ud nēw-ardaxšīr ud abārīg frahang az awēšān hāmōyēn čēr ud nibardag būd.Ardavān, when he saw Ardashir, rejoiced and treated him with honor.He ordered that he should go, every day, to hunting and to play polo with his own children and the princes. Ardashir did so.By the help of the gods, in polo and horsemanship, in chess (catrang), in nēw-ardaxšīr, and in other arts and disciplines, he was more skillful and more formidable than all those who surrounded him.

Volume 81, Biography 46: 東夷 / 倭國 - Eastern Barbarians / Wa Country 每至正月一日，必射戲飲酒，其餘節略與華同，好棊博、握槊、樗蒲之戲。 On the first day of the first month (the New Year), they (the Proto-Japanese people) never fail to indulge in archery and wine-drinking. Otherwise, their festivals are largely similar to those of China. They enjoy games of strategy (Go), games of chance (dice), woshuo, and chupu (another ancient dice game).

The Chronicles of Japan, Book 29 September 18, 685 天皇、博愽を天皇の御前にて親しくせしむ。 The emperor allowed people to play games of chance in his presence at court.  December 17, 689 双六 (Sugoroku) 禁 (Kin) Sugoroku is forbidden.

握槊今人謂之長行，斯博奕之徒與。觀其進退遲速，雖存於大體；因時適變，必務於權輿。施之於人，可以義存。賦曰：The Woshuo is what people today call Changxing; it belongs to the category of board and strategy games.By observing the movement of its pieces—whether they advance, retreat, slow down, or accelerate—one realizes that the great principles [of life and war] are contained within it. To adapt to changes at the opportune moment, it is imperative to carefully weigh the pros and cons from the very beginning.If one applies these principles to human relations, justice and righteousness can be made to prevail.The Ode says:夫何一枰之內兮，而取之多端。六藝之外兮，其為功平實難。張四維則地理攸載，背兩目則天文可觀。不可飾於丹漆，寧假貴於琅玕。物以群分，故元黃而不雜；鬥必遇敵，惟蚌鷸其何歡？彼千變之奚準？任雙頭之所安。How is it that within the space of a single gameboard, the ways to seize victory are so diverse? Beyond the traditional Six Arts, bringing this task to fruition proves in truth to be quite difficult.To deploy the four corners of the board is to see the geography of the Earth engraved upon it; to face the two dice is to observe the movement of the stars in the Heavens. There is no need to adorn the board with red lacquer, and what does it matter if it is not made of precious Langgan jade? The pieces part into groups, so that the dark and the yellow (the blacks and the whites) never intermingle. In this combat, one must inevitably encounter an enemy: but if we clash like the clam and the snipe, what joy can truly be found in it? How can one anticipate the thousands of changes to come? One simply relies on what is decided by the double-headed dice.遂使象牙在手，駿骨登盤，為無竅之須鑿，故非黽而見鑽。且其廣凡幾分，數不過六；參差宛軒，循環反覆。不能者敗而成患，故能者養之取福。則犄角相持，首尾俱蹙；形同楚漢，氣陵賁育。收七縱之奇功，在一擲於餘掬。或撫坒而驚盼，或聳身而助速。似臨敵之旗鼓，同在師之耳目；率成是而敗非，類吉凶之倚伏。多回君子之慮，以實小人之腹。Thus, the ivory is in hand, and the pieces, carved like the bones of steeds, step onto the board. They are like those unbored blocks that must be hollowed out, or like a tortoise shell that is drilled, being far more than a mere toad. In all, its width is but a few inches, and the number of dots does not exceed six. The pieces rise and fall, crossing in undulating movements, turning in loops and repeating without end. The incompetent fails and brings trouble upon himself, while the skillful cultivates his play and reaps success.Then, the forces hold each other by the flanks, and both head and tail find themselves pressed. The situation resembles the clash between the kingdoms of Chu and Han; the energy unleashed surpasses the strength of the great warriors Meng Ben and Xia Yu. Achieving the feat of capturing the enemy seven times depends entirely on a single roll of the dice, within the hollow of the hand. At times, the player slaps his thigh, his gaze startled and anxious; at times, he straightens his body to urge on the speed of fate. The game is akin to the banners and drums facing the enemy; it is like the eyes and ears of an army on the march. Gain validates what is right and loss condemns error, illustrating how good and bad fortune hide one behind the other. The game often turns the mind of the nobleman, while filling the stomach of the petty man.爾乃啟行前指，要然自能，經彼策之無算，謂我謀之足徵。豈知夫否終則傾，道非假易。持不競之微力，乘驟勝之遺累。閉六關而不通，因一子而為質。乃欲速而賈害，翻後時而獲利。無以憑陵而憔悴，無以往蹇而自棄，實反掌而變生，亦隨手而時異。至若幽人慾寡，智士謀深，不蕩其誌，以平其心。非獨巧於往，遂移情於今，是知行必有恆，事思不久。亹經略，循循善誘。或欲退而徑前，或謀疾而居後。雖有敵而必應，固無險而不走。或用壯而可攻，或示羸而難扣。不幸災以矜伐，每終吉而何咎？雖小道而可觀，彼多詐而焉有？Thus, you launch the offensive, pointing forward, confident in your own talent. Having crossed through the opponent's calculations unscathed, you tell yourself that your strategy has proven its worth. Yet how can one know that when the impasse reaches its end, everything collapses, and that the Way does not yield to borrowed shortcuts? By maintaining only a weak force that can no longer compete, one suffers the accumulated weight of a victory too sudden. The six gates close and nothing more can pass: because of a single piece, one finds oneself held hostage. Desiring to go too fast, one brings about one's own harm; conversely, he who took his time ends up reaping the benefit. There is no need to grieve for lack of support, nor to abandon oneself to despair because the path is difficult: in the blink of an eye (the turn of a hand), the situation reverses, and with a single gesture, the opportune moment changes entirely.As for the hermit of moderate desires or the sage of profound designs, they do not let their aspirations stray, but maintain their minds in peace. They do not merely deploy their skill in the past; they transfer their sentiments to the present. One then understands that action requires constancy, and that affairs demand time. One plans with diligence, guiding the pieces systematically (in the manner of Xunxun Shanyou). Sometimes, wishing to retreat, one advances with a sharp move; sometimes, planning to go fast, one chooses to stay behind. Though there is an enemy, one responds to every blow; there is no dangerous terrain into which one does not venture. Sometimes, by using strength, one can attack; sometimes, by feigning weakness, one becomes elusive. One does not rejoice in the misfortune of others to glorify oneself: if the final outcome is fortunate, what blame could there be? Although this is a 'lesser way,' it is worthy of observation; but if one brings nothing to it but deception, what is there to be gained?其故柔非及懦，勇必兼斷，聚或一旅，分為數段。始霧委而雲集，忽風解以冰泮，皆應物以卷舒，亦從宜而合散。雖觸類而則長，維吾道之攸貫。足明夫正而不譎，取又非貪。全同坐隱，斯為手談。必由理勝，豈非言甘？雖小失其奚爽，亦大來而莫慚。然則終多喪誌，籲嗟士兮不耽。This explains why flexibility here is not cowardice, and why courage necessarily implies decisiveness. The pieces sometimes gather like an army, only to later divide into several sections. At first, they accumulate like mist and gather like clouds; suddenly, they dissipate like the wind and melt away like ice. Everything deploys or retracts according to the nature of things, assembling or separating as is fitting. Although the game expands by touching upon various categories, it is our Way (the Dao) that traverses it through and through.This suffices to demonstrate that the game must be upright and not treacherous, and that seizing pieces must not be guided by greed. In this, it is entirely identical to Zuoyin (the Hidden Sitting), and deserves the name Shoutan (Hand Conversation). Everything must be dictated by the victory of reason: is this not a most gentle language? Although a small loss may briefly cause distress, a great reversal dissipates all shame.Nevertheless, spending one's life upon this game often ends up consuming ambition. Alas! May the scholars not abandon themselves to it!

Book 3 (卷下) 今之博戲，長行最盛。其為局也，十五黃，十五黑。投雙齒。其法本於握槊，變於雙陸。而人智所益，因成長行。 Among today's board games, Changxing is the most flourishing. Its equipment consists of a board, fifteen yellow pieces, and fifteen black pieces. Two dice are cast. Its rules originate in Woshuo, evolved alongside Shuanglu, and then, through human ingenuity, gave rise to  Changxing. 又有小雙陸、圍透、大點、小點、遊談、鳳翼之名，然無如長行也。 There are also other variants known as Xiao Shuanglu (Little Shuanglu), Weitou (Wall-Breaker), Dadian (High-Dice), Xiaodian (Low-Dice), Youtan (Courtly Game), or Fengyi (Phoenix Wings), but none could match the popularity of Changxing (Long March). 鑑險易，喻時事焉；適變通者，方《易》象焉。王公大人，頗或躭翫，至有廢慶弔，忘寢休，輟飲食者。 This game demonstrates the hazards and ease [of life], and serves as a metaphor for world affairs; through its capacity to adapt to changes, it can be compared to the hexagrams of the Yijing (The Book of Changes). Princes and great ministers indulge in it to such an extent that they neglect congratulations and condolences, lose sleep, and forget to eat and drink. 及博徒是強名爭勝，謂之『撩零』；假借分畫，謂之『囊家』，囊家什一而取，謂之『乞頭』。有通宵而戰者，有破產而輸者，其工者近有渾鎬、崔師本首出。 As for the gamblers, they fiercely compete in what they call Liaoling (the challenge). The middlemen who lend money and host the table are called Nangjia (the bankers), and they take one-tenth of the winnings, which is called Qitou (the commission). Some fight thus through the night, while others ruin themselves completely. Among the most skillful players of our time, Hun Gao and Cui Shiben are the most famous.

In this text, Guān bó ("Observing the Dice Game"), the famous Tang Dynasty poet and scholar Liu Yuxi observes a match of the ancient game called Woshuo, a board game similar to backgammon that was very popular at the time, and demonstrates that self-control and calculation are superior to mere chance. 客有以博戲自任者，速余觀焉。初，主人執握槊之器置於廡下，曰：主進者要約之。既揖讓即次，有博齒二，異乎古之齒。其制用骨，觚棱四均，鏤以朱墨，耦而合數，取應期月。視其轉止，依以爭道。是制也通行之久矣，莫詳所祖。以其用必投擲，故以博投詔之。 A guest, boasting of his skill at games of chance, asked me to observe him. At the start, the host brought out the Woshuo (握槊) equipment and set it down under the porch, saying, 'He who begins the game must set the rules.' After the customary greetings, they took their places for the round. There were two dice (博齒 bó chǐ), different from the dice of old. They were made of bone, with perfectly equal square faces engraved with red and black ink. Paired together, they formed numbers corresponding to the months of the year. By observing their rotation and where they stopped, one followed the rules to contest the path on the board. This custom has been practiced for a long time, and no one knows who its ancestor is. Because its use requires a throw, it is called Botou (the game of throwing). 是日客抵骨於局，且祝之曰：「其來如趣，其去如脫。事先趑趄，命中無蹉跌。無從彼呼，無俾我怛！」分曹遒迫，自朝至於日中昃，而與所祝異焉。客視骨如有情焉，如或憑焉，悉詈之不洩，又從而嚙蹂躪之，莫顧其十目之ㄉ讓也。乃曰：「非餘術之不工，是朽骨者不餘畀也。請刷恥於奕棋！」主人促命燭以續之，騖神默計，巧竭智匱。主進者書勝負之數於牘，視其所喪，又倍前籍焉。觀者曰：「以夫人之褊心，亦將詬棋而抵枰矣。」既乃恬而不恤，赧然有失鵠求身之色，人咸異之。 That day, the guest cast the dice onto the board and prayed: 'Let them come like a swift race; let them depart like a release. May my plans be free of hesitation, and may my move be precise, without error. Do not let my opponent’s calls reach me; let them cause me no fear!' The sides were drawn and the tension was high from morning until the sun began to set, yet the results were the exact opposite of his prayers. The guest glared at the dice as if they were sentient, as if a spirit inhabited them. He cursed them without restraint, then trampled and bit them, indifferent to the ten eyes watching him. He then declared: 'It is not that my technique lacks finesse; it is that these rotten bones are not in my favor. I ask to wash away my shame with a game of Go (弈棋) ! » The host brought candles to continue the match. The guest focused his mind and calculated in silence, his cunning exhausted and his intelligence wearing thin. The scorekeeper recorded the victories and defeats on a tablet; upon seeing his losses, he found they had doubled compared to the previous register. The spectators remarked: 'With a character so narrow, he will surely end up insulting the game of Go and overturning the board.' Yet, he remained calm and unconcerned, wearing the shamefaced expression of a man trying to regain his dignity after missing his mark—which left everyone astonished. 子劉子曰：先人者制人，博投是已。從人者制於人，枯棋是已。二者豈有數存乎其間哉？但處之勢異耳！是知當軸者易生嫌，而退身者易為譽。易生之嫌，不足貶也；易為之譽，不足多也。在辯其所處而已。 Master Liu declared: 'He who takes the lead controls others; the game of dice (博投 bó tóu) is the prime example of this. He who follows others is controlled by them; the game of Go (枯棋) is the prime example of this. Do numbers truly exert influence over these two games? No, it is merely the situation (shi) in which one is placed that differs!' Thus, one understands that he who stands at the center of power easily invites suspicion, while he who retreats easily invites praise. Yet, suspicion that arises so easily does not necessarily deserve to be blamed, and praise that is easily won does not necessarily deserve to be exalted. Everything lies in understanding the situation in which one chooses to place oneself.

Incipit prologue Multis plura patent, mihi tamen latent, meae quoque similes, obscurato sensu, carent intellectu, si minus dicam, plus ego. Adest semper ille qui ora aperit mutorum et infantium linguas facit disertas. Quanquam in fragili sensu, inter dignas vivens indiguè, tamen genitrix tua, fili, ad te nunc meus sermo dirigitur manualis, ut, veluti tabularum lusus maximè juvenibus inter caeteras artium partes mundanas congruus et aptus constat ad tempus, vel certè inter aliquas ex parte in speculis mulierum demonstratio apparere soleat vultu, ut sordida extergant, exhibentesque nitida, suis in saeculo satagunt placere maritis, ita te opto ut, inter mundanas et seculares actionum frequenter legere, et ob memoriam mei velut in speculis atque tabulis joco, ut non negligas. Licet sint tibi multa adcrescentium librorum volumina, hoc opusculum meum tibi placeat frequenter legere, et cum adjutorio omnipotentis Dei utiliter valeas intelligere. Invenies in eo quidquid in brevi cognoscere malis ; invenies etiam et speculum in quo salutem animae tuae indubitanter possis conspicere, ut non solum saeculo, sed Ei per omnia possis placere qui te formavit ex limo : quod tibi per omnia necesse est, fili, ut in utroque negotio talis te exhibeas, qualiter possis utilis esse saeculo, et Deo per omnia placere valeas semper. Sunt mihi curae multae, ad te, o fili Willelme, verba dirigens salutis, inter quas ardens et vigil meus aestuat animus ut tibi de tua, auxiliante Deo, nativatate, in hoc codice libelli ex meo desiderio habeas conscriptum, sicut in sequentibus est utiliter praeordinatum. Prologue Many people have knowledge of which I am deprived, I and the women who resemble me. But The One who opens the mouths of dumb men and who makes the children speak is always present to me. In spite of the weakness of my intelligence, I address this Handbook to you. Just as the game of tables is the most brilliant of society arts for a young man; just as the mirror of a woman shows her what must disappear from her face and what she has to show to please her husband ; thus I wish, in the middle of the swirl of the world and the century, you frequently read my book. Do it to remember me by, as often as one looks at oneself in a mirror or as one plays at tables. Do it, whatever the growing number of your other books, and with the assistance of God, understand it. You will also find there a mirror where you will be able to consider the salvation of your soul, in order to please not only the century, but also The One who formed you from the silt. Among the troubles that overwhelm me, O my son Guillaume, I address words of salvation to you, and my heart ardently wishes that you read what has a concern with the birth. You will find it at the beginning of what follows.

Around 873, the historian Ahmad ibn Abi Ya'qub reports in the Tarikh al-Yaqubi that the Indian scholar Qaffalan created nard at the request of the Indian King Hishran, endowing the game with a cosmological and religious symbolism reflecting the beliefs of the time.قال له الملك أرني صورة ما تقول وبرهانه، فوضع النرد وقال اتفق الناس على ان دور الزمان سنة ومعناها اثنا عشر شهراً ومعناها البروج الاثنا عشر، وعلى ان ايام الشهر ثلثون يوما ومعناها لكل برج ثلثون درجة، وعلى ان الايام سبعة ومعناها الكواكب السبعة السيارة، ثم جعل تشبيها لذلك فوضع عرصة شبيهة بالسنة وصيّر فيها أربعة وعشرين بيتاً عدد ساعات الليل والنهار في كل ناحية اثنى عشر بيتاً تشبيهاً بشهور السنة والبروج وصيّر لها ثلثين كلباً تشبيهاً بأيام الشهر ودرج البروج وصيّر الفصين تشبيهاً بالليل والنهار وفي كل فص ست جهات لأنه عدد تام له نصف وثلث وسدس في كل فص إذا سقط من أعلاه وأسفله سبع نقط تحت الست واحدة وتحت الخمس اثنتان وتحت الأربع ثلث تشبيهاً بعدد الأيام والكواكب السبعة السيارة وهي الشمس والقمر وزحل والمشترى والمريخ وعطارد والزهرة ثم جعلها محنة بين رجلين وأعطى كل واحد فصاً وقال من أعطيته هذه السبع النقط من أعلاها أكثر من صاحبه بدأ فاجتمع له الفصان فضرب وما ظهر من الفصين تقلب الكلاب عليه وجعل ذلك تمثيلاً للحظ الذي يناله العاجز بما جرى له الفلك والحرمان الذي يبتلى [به] للحازم على حسب ما يجرى له الفلك فلما ظهر ذلك قبله الملك وفشا في أهل المملكة وصار أهل الهند يجرى أمورها بما يدبره الكواكب السبعة السيارةThe king [Hishran] said to him: 'Show me an image of what you are saying and its proof.'He [Qaffalan] invented the nard and said: 'People have agreed that the cycle of time is a year, its meaning is twelve months, and its meaning is the twelve signs of the zodiac; that the days of the month are thirty days, and its meaning is that each sign has thirty degrees; and that the days are seven, and their meaning is the seven wandering planets.'Then he made an analogy for this: he created a board similar to the year and placed twenty-four squares in it, corresponding to the number of hours of the night and day; in each part, there are twelve squares, in comparison with the months of the year and the signs of the zodiac.He added thirty tokens, in comparison with the days of the month and the degrees of the signs of the zodiac, and he designated two dice, in comparison with the night and the day.Each face of the die has six sides, for it is a perfect number having a half, a third, and a sixth. On each die, if one considers the top and the bottom, there are seven points: under the six, there is one point; under the five, there are two; and under the four, there are three, in comparison with the number of days in the week and the seven wandering planets, which are the Sun, the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Venus.He then made of it a trial between two men and gave a die to each, saying: 'Whoever is given these seven points from their top more than his opponent begins.' The two dice were joined and thrown, and the result appeared on the dice.He made of this a representation of the luck that the incapable obtains according to what the heavens decree for him, and the deprivation with which the prudent is afflicted according to what the heavens decree for him.When this appeared, the king accepted it, and it spread among the inhabitants of the kingdom, and the people of India began to regulate their affairs according to what the seven wandering planets direct.

The text "The explanation of chess and the invention of the Nēw-Ardaxšīr" was written in Middle Persian (Pahlavi) in the 9th century.It is also called Čatrang-nāmag (The Book of Chess).The oldest copy dates back to 1322: it is the MK manuscript (named in honor of Mihrabān Kayhusraw, its Iranian scribe), which is preserved in Bombay, India.The name Nēw-Ardaxšīr, meaning 'the noble Ardashir,' underwent phonetic contraction over time, evolving from 'Nardašīr' into the simplified form 'Nard'.wuzurg-mihr guft kū: az dahibedān andar ēn hazārag ardaxšīr kardār-tar ud danāg-tar būd ud nēw-ardaxšīr ēd juxt pad nām ī ardaxšīr nihēm. taxtag ī nēw-ardaxšīr ō spandarmad zamīg homānāg kunēm. ud sīh muhrag ō sīh rōz ud šabān homānāg kunēm, pānzdah ī spēd ō rōz homānāg kunēm ud pānzdah <ī> syā ō šab homānāg kunēm. gardānāg ēd juxt ō wardišn ī axtarān ud gardišn ī spihr homānāg kunēm. ēk abar gardānāg-ē ōwōn homānāg kunēm kū ohrmazd ēk ast <ud> har nēkīh ōy dād. dō ēdōn homānāg kunēm čiyōn mēnōg ud gētīg. sē ōwōn homānāg kunēm čiyōn humat ud hūxt ud huwaršt ud menišn ud gōwišn ud kunišn. čahār ōwōn homānāg kunēm čiyōn čahār āmēzišn kē mardōm aziš, aziš čahār sōg gētīg: xwarāsān ud xwarwarān, nēm-rōz ud abāxtar. panj ōwōn homānāg kunēm čiyōn panj rōšnīh čiyōn xwaršēd ud māh ud stārag <ud> ātaxš ud warzag <ī> az asmān āyēd. šaš ōwōn homānāg kunēm čiyōn dādan ī dām pad šaš gāhānbār. nihādag ī nēw-ardaxšīr abar taxtag ēdōn homānāg kunēm čiyōn ohrmazd xwadāy ka-š dām ō gētīg dād. wardišn ud gardišn ī muhrag pad gardānāg-ē ōwōn homānāg čiyōn mardōmān ī andar gētīg band ō mēnōgān paywast ēstēd, pad haft ud dwāzdah hamāg wardēnd <ud> wihēzēnd; ud ka ast ēk ō did zanēnd, ud abar čīnēnd čiyōn mardōmān andar gētīg ēk ō did zanēnd. ud ka pad gardānāg-ē ēd gardišn hamāg abar čīnēnd hangōšīdag ī mardōm kē hamāg az gētīg widarišn bawēnd ud ka did-iz bē nihēnd hangōšīdag {ī} ī mardōmān kē pad rist-āxēz hamāg zīndag abāz bawēnd.Bozorgmehr [during the reign of Khosrow Anushirvan (531–579)] said thus: « Among the rulers of this millennium Ardaxšīr was more capable and most wise and I will name this (game) Nēw-Ardaxšīr in Ardaxšīr’s name. I will make the board of the Nēw-Ardaxšīr like the Spandarmad earth. and I will make 30 pieces like the 30 night and day, I will make 15 white, like the day, and I will make 15 black, like the night. I will make one single die as the turning of the constellations and the revolution of the firmament. I will make the one on the dice like Ohrmzad, who is one and all goodness was created by him. I will make the two like the spiritual and the material world. I will make the three like good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, and thoughts, words, and deeds. I will make the four like the four elements which the people are made of, and (like) the four corners of the world, northeast and southwest, and southeast, and northwest. I will make the fve like the fve lights, like the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the fire and the heavenly brightness which descends from the sky. I will make the six like the creation of the creatures during the six periods of Gāhānbārs.I shall arrange the Nēw-Ardaxšīr on the board as the Lord Ohrmazd distributed the beings in the earthly world when He created them. The turning and revolution of the pieces by the die is like people in the material world, their bond connected to the spiritual world, through the 7 and 12 (planets and constellation) they all have their being and move on, and when it is as if they hit one against another and collect, it is like people in the material world, one hits another (person). And when by the turning of this die all are collected, it is in the likeness of the people who all passed out from the material world (died), and when they set them up again, it is in the likeness of the people who during the (time of ) resurrection, all will come to life again. »

In 941, Liu Xu described a scandalous scene that occurred between 705 and 707, during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang dynasty. Volume 51 卷五十一 - Liezhuan 1 列传第一 : Houfei Shang 后妃上 及得志，受上官昭容邪說，引武三思入宮中，升御床，與后雙陸，帝為點籌，以為歡笑，醜聲日聞於外。 Once her ambitions were satisfied, she [Empress Wei] allowed herself to be influenced by the perverse words of the imperial secretary Shangguan [Zhaorong]. She introduced Wu Sansi into the inner palace and had him sit on the imperial bed to play shuanglu with her, while the Emperor counted the points for them, finding it a source of amusement and laughter. Word of this scandalous behavior spread further outside day by day.

Al-Mas’ûdî wrote his major work, The Meadows of Gold مروج الذهب in Arabic around 943-947. This manuscript tells us that nard 'has various variants and setups.'Volume 1 - Chapter 7وفي ايامه عملت النرد واحدث اللعب بها وجعل ذلك مثلا للمكاسب فانها لا تنال بالكيس ولا بالحيل في هذه الدنيا وان الرزق لا يتاتى فيها بالحرف وقد ذكر ان اردشير ابن بابك اول من لعب بالنرد ووضعها وراى تقلب الدنيا باهلها واختلان امرها وجعل بيوتها اثني عشر بعدد الشهور وجعل كلابها ثلثين كلبا بعدد ايام الشهور وجعل الغصين مثالا للقدر وتقلب باهل الدنيا وان الانسان يلعب بها فيبلغ باسعاد القدر اياه في مراده باللعب بها ما يريد وان للحاذق الفطن لا يتاتى له ما يتاتى لغيره اذا اسعده القدر وان الارزاق والحظوظ في هذه الدنيا لا تنال الا بالجدIt was during the time [of Bahboud, the second legendary king of ancient India in the 3rd millennium BC], that nard was invented, and it was introduced as an allegory of earthly gains: it shows that these are not obtained in this world through intelligence or cunning alone, and that one’s livelihood (rizq) is not acquired through skill alone.It is reported that Ardashir, son of Pabag, was the first to play nard and to devise its rules. He saw in it a representation of this world's inconstancy toward its inhabitants and the instability of its affairs.He divided the board into twelve spaces, according to the number of months, and created thirty pieces, according to the number of days in a month. He made the dice a symbol of destiny and its reversals for the people of this world: man plays it, and through the favors of destiny assisting his intentions, he achieves what he desires. It happens that a clever and sagacious man does not obtain what another, less gifted, obtains if destiny favors the latter. In short, livelihoods and fortune in this world are acquired only through destiny.Volume 7 - Chapter 127أما ما قيل في النرد واوصافها فقد قدمنا فيما سلف من هذا الكتاب كيفية نصبها والمحدث للعبها على ما حكى من التنازع في ذلك عند ذكرنا اخبار الهندAs for what has been said regarding nard and its characteristics, we have already presented, in the preceding parts of this work, the method of its arrangement and the identity of the one who established the game, according to the contradictory accounts on this subject that we reported when dealing with the traditions of India.وفيها عند ذوي المعرفة بها ضروب من اللعب وفنون من الترتيب ووجوه من النصب الا ان عدد البيوت واحد لا زيادة فيها ولا نقصان على ما تقدم في ذلك من علمها والمعهود من اصولها وان الغصين فيها محكمان واللاعب بهما وان لم يكن مختارا ولا خارجا عن حكم الغصين وقضائهما محتاج الى ان يكون صحيح النقل وسابقه محيح للحساب حسن الترتيب جيدّهFor connoisseurs, this game has various variants and setups. However, the number of spaces (houses) remains, without addition or subtraction, in accordance with the knowledge already set forth and the established principles of this game.The two dice are sovereign therein, and the player, although neither master of his choices nor able to escape the arbitration and verdict of the dice, must nevertheless be endowed with a precise memory, a mind prompt in calculation, a good capacity for organization, and excellent skill.وقد قيل في لعبها ووصفها واحكام الغصين فيها وقضائهما على لعابها اشعار كثيرة بلغوا بالقول فيها واغرقوا في استيعاب معانيها فمن ذلك قول بعضهم لا خير في النرد لا يغني ممارسها فضل الذكاء إذا ما كان محروما تريك أفعال قضّيها بحكمهما ضدّين في الحال ميمونًا ومشوما فما تكاد ترى فيها أخا أدب يفوته القمْر إلّا كان مظلوماMany poems have been composed on the subject of this game, its description, the rules of the dice, and their verdict on those who engage in it; in these works, the authors have gone to great lengths and exhausted themselves exploring all its meanings. Among these is this saying by one of them:'In Nard, there is no skill that can ensure a prize;For the cleverest mind is naught if luck denies.The dice, with haughty air, decide our end,To show whom fortune favors, whom she won't befriend.No scholar loses his stake, or falls from grace,Unless by fate’s decree, he loses in this race.'وأنشدني أبو الفتح محمود بن الحسين السندي بن شاهك الكاتب المعروف بكشاجم وكان من أهل العلم والدراية والمعرفة والأدب أنه كتب إلى صديق له يذم النرد وكان مشتهراً أبياتاً وهي أيها المعجب المفاخر بالنرد ليزهى به على الإخوان قد لعمري حرصت جهدي لو لم ... تواتك الغصّان غير أنّ الأريب يكذبه الظنّ ... ويبكي لشدّة الحرمان وإذا ما القضاة جاءت بحكم ... لم يجد عن قضائها للخصمان ولعمري ما كنت أوّل إنسان ... تمنى فأخلفته الأمانيAbu al-Fath Mahmoud ibn al-Husayn al-Sindi ibn Shahak, the scribe known as Kushajim—a man of science, erudition, knowledge, and letters—recited to me verses he had written to a friend to rebuke him for his passion for the game of Nard. The verses are as follows:'O you who boast and take pride in the Nard,Seeking to shine before your brothers and your peers,By my life, you have truly exerted all your efforts,Yet the two dice have not been favorable to you.The skillful man is nonetheless betrayed by his instinct,And weeps for the bitterness of a cruel deprivation.And when the judges [the dice] deliver their verdict,The two adversaries cannot escape their decree.By my life, I am not the first manWho has made vows, only for his hopes to be betrayed.'وأنشدني أبو الفتح أيضاً لأبي نواس ومأسورة بالأمر تأتي بغيره ... ولم تتبع في ذاك غياً ولا رشدا إذا قلت لم تفعل وليست مطيعةً ... وافعل ما قالت فصرتُ لها عبداAbu al-Fath also recited to me these verses by Abu Nuwas:'She is chained by fate, yet acts in ways unforeseen,Following neither error nor wisdom in her design.If I say: "Do not do this," she will not obey,But if she says: "Do it," I then become her slave.'وقد قدّمنا في باب أخبار ملوك الهند فيما سلف من هذا الكتاب قول من قال في النرد والغصّين أنها جعلت مثلاً للمكاسب وأنها لا تنال بالكيس ولا بالحيل وما ذكر عن أردشير بن بابك في ذلك أنه أوّل من لعب بها ورأى تقلّب الدنيا بأهلها وجعل بيوتها اثني عشر على ترتيب عدد الشهور وأن كلابها ثلاثون كلباً بعدد أيام الشهور وأن الغصّين مثلاً للقدر وتلعبه بأهل هذا العالم وغير ذلك مما وصفنا من أحوالها وقد قدّمنا من ذكرها في هذا الكتاب وغيره مما سلف من كتبنا وذكر بعض أهل النظر من الاسلاميين أن واضع الشطرنج كان عدلياً مستطيعاً فيما يفعل وأن واضع النرد كان مجبراً فتبين باللعب بها أنه لا صنع له فيها بل تصرفه فيها على ما يوجبه القدر علمه بهاWe have already set forth, in the chapter devoted to the kings of India at the beginning of this work, the views of those who consider nard and the two dice as an allegory of earthly gains: they show that these are obtained neither through intelligence nor through cunning. We have also reported what is said of Ardashir, son of Pabag: that he was the first to play it and that he saw in it a representation of this world’s inconstancy toward its inhabitants; he divided the board into twelve spaces, according to the number of the months, and created thirty pieces, according to the number of the days of the month. As for the two dice, they symbolize destiny and the way in which it plays with the inhabitants of this world, as well as the other characteristics we have described. All of this has already been mentioned here and in our other previous works.Some Muslim thinkers have argued that the inventor of the game of chess was a proponent of free will ('adli) and conscious of his actions, whereas the inventor of nard was a fatalist (mujbir). Thus, through the game itself, it became clear that he had no power of action over his moves, but that its practice was entirely subject to the imperatives of destiny, of which he had knowledge through this game.

This scene took place between 745 and 755. 明皇與貴妃於長生殿上玩雙陸。時有西新羅國進白鸚鵡，聰慧特甚，上特愛之，號曰雪衣娘。是時上將輸，左右侍從皆顧此鸚鵡，鸚鵡乃飛入局中，鼓翼叱咤，而子俱亂。上大悅，遂不較。 Emperor Minghuang [Xuanzong] and his noble consort [Yang Guifei] were enjoying a game of shuanglu in the Pavilion of Longevity. At that time, the kingdom of Western Silla had presented as tribute a white parrot of exceptional intelligence. The Emperor was particularly fond of it and had nicknamed it 'the maiden in snow-white garments' (Xue Yiniang). At that precise moment in the game, the Emperor was on the verge of losing. The attendants and entourage turned their gaze toward the parrot. The bird immediately took flight and landed right in the middle of the game board; it flapped its wings and screeched, throwing the game pieces into total confusion. Overjoyed, the Emperor decided not to continue the game.

Τάβλα ὄνομα παιδιᾶς. ταύτην ἐφεῦρε Παλαμήδης εἰς διαγωγὴν τοῦἙλληνικοῦ στρατοῦ σὺν φιλοσοφίᾳ πολλῇ: τάβλα γάρἐστιν ὁ γήϊνος κόσμος, ιβ# δὲ κάσοιὁ ζωδιακὸς ἀριθμός, τὸ δὲ ψηφοβόλον καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῷ ζ# κοκκία τὰ ζ#ἄστρα τῶν πλανητῶν,ὁ δὲ πύργος τὸὕψος τοῦ οὐρανοῦ: ἐξ οὗἀνταποδίδοται πᾶσι πολλὰ καὶ κακά.Tábla Name of a game. Palamedes invented this as an amusement for the Greek army, with consummate ingenuity. For tábla is the earthly universe, the twelve squares correspond to the number of signs of the zodiac, and the dice-box and the seven cubes in it are the seven wandering stars, and the tower is the height of the sky, from which many evils are given in return to all people.

Ferdowsi فردوسی began writing the Shâh Nâmeh (Book of Kings) in 977 and completed it on March 8, 1010.This epic poem recounts the history of Greater Iran and attributes the invention of the game of Nard and its transmission to the Indians to the vizier Bozorgmehr, during the reign of Khosrow Anushirvan (531–579).Since the 14th century, copies of the Shahnameh are illustrated and allow to see a resemblance to backgammon. Among these illustrated copies, some scenes suggest that the starting position was the same as today.These illustrations seem to confirm the use of a woven carpet as a game board, as noted by Hong Zun in the Pushuang.Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThis folio from 1300/1330 (Iran or Iraq), originally belonged to the same manuscript as the one in the Chester Beatty Library (referenced as 'Per 104'). This manuscript is known as the 'First Small Shahnama'.It is written in Classical Persian, notably: بگوید در این تخت بازی نرد  "He shall explain, on this board, the game of nard."It shows a game already begun. The vizir Bozorgmehr hides 3 red pieces with his hand.San Diego Museum of ArtOn this folio from 1500 (sultanate India), it is written: نامۀ نوشین روان و نرد شطرنج و بوزجمهر  "The Letter of Khosrow Anushirvan, Nard, Chess, and Bozorgmehr."The vizir Bozorgmehr has moved 5 white pieces from their starting positions whereas the Black player has only moved 2. The Black player is behind in race because one the 2 pieces he moved was hit.Los Angeles County Museum of ArtThis folio from 1525 (Turkey) shows the starting position but only the black pieces are depicted.

During a visit by Prince Genji to the Lady of the Wisteria Court (Fujitsubo), the court ladies are playing sugoroku (backgammon): Chapter 34 - Wakana I: 'New Herbs' (Part I)" 女房、童べなど集まりて、盤双六など打ちて遊び興ずる。 The ladies-in-waiting and young attendants gathered, playing sugoroku and amusing themselves, since there were only intimates present.

The Exeter Book, or Codex Exoniensis, is kept in the Exeter Cathedral Library. Maxims I Hy twegen sceolon tæfle ymbsittan,    þenden him hyra torn toglide, forgietan þara geocran gesceafta,    habban him gomen on borde; idle hond æmetlan geneah tæfles monnes,    þonne teoselum weorpeð. Two men shall sit over the game-board,    till their troubles slip from them, forgetting the sad things that happen,    enjoying them­selves at the table. Idle hands are good enough for the man with nothing to do, the gambler,    when he is throwing dice.

Yan Shu asserts that Shuanglu did not originate in China but in India—known as Tianzhu 天竺 at the time—and dates its arrival in China to the Huangchu era (黄初, 220–226 AD), during the reign of Emperor Cao Pi of the Wei Kingdom, at the very beginning of the Three Kingdoms period.始自天竺，即《涅槃经》之波罗塞戏。三国魏黄初间流入中国It began in India, being the game prāsaka mentioned in the Nirvana Sutra. It was introduced into China during the Huangchu era of the Three Kingdoms.

According to Paul Thieme’s analyses, an explicit confirmation of the practice of backgammon in India can be found in a verse cited by Kaiyaṭa in his commentary on Patañjali’s Mahābhāṣya.ससहायस्य सारस्य परैर्नाक्रम्यते पदम् । असहायस्तु सारेण परकीयेण बाध्यते ॥sasahāyasya śārasya parair nākramyate padam asahāyas tu śāreṇa parakīyeṇa bādhyateThe place of a piece that has a companion is not entered by adversariesA stone that has no companion, however, is ousted by an adverse stone

Sur tapis blancs s’assoient li baron, Jouent as tables et as eschecs li viel: Li jone juvente s’escriment d’espée. Sus un pin, pres d’une eglantiere, Un trone out fait tot d’or et de pierre: Li reis i siet, qui tient dulz France la terre. On white carpets the barons sit, The old and wise play tables and chess; Young youths practice swordplay. Under a pine, near an eglantine tree, A throne has been made, all of gold and stone: There sits the king who rules fair France.

Lines 1997-2040 Molt ot a la cort jugleors, Chanteors, estrumanteors ; Molt poïssiez oïr chançons, Rotruanges et noviaus sons, Vïeleüres, lais et notes, Lais de vïeles, lais de notes, Lais de harpes et de fretiaus, Lires, tympres et chalemiaus, Symphonies, psalterions, Monacordes, cymbes, chorons. Asez y ot tresgiteors, Joeresses et joeors ; Li un dient contes et fables, Auquant demandent dez et tables. Teus i a joent a hasart, Ce est uns geus de male part ; As eschas joent li plusor, Au geu del mat ou au mellor. Dui et dui au geu s'aconpeignent, Li un perdent, li un gaheignent, Sor gaiges anpruntent deniers, Onze por doze volantiers ; Gaiges donent, gaiges seisissent, Gaiges prenent, gaiges plevissent ; Sovant jurent, sovant s'afichent, Sovant boisent et sovant trichent ; Molt estrivent, molt se corrocent, Sovant mescontent, sovant grocent ; Deus et deus gietent, et puis quernes, Anbesas et le tierz et ternes, A la foiee gietent quinnes, A la foiee gietent sinnes ; Sis, cinc, troi, quatre, dui et as Ont a plusors toluz lor dras. Bon espoir a qui les dez tient ; Quant ses conpainz les a, se crient. Asez sovant noisent et crient ; Li un as autres sovant dient : "Vos me boisiez, defors gitez, Croslez la main, hociez les dez ! Je l'anvi avant vostre get ! Querez deniers, metez, g'i met !" T'eus s'i puet aseoir vestuz Qui au partir s'an lieve nuz. Now to the court had gathered many tumblers, harpers, and makers of music, for Arthur's feast. He who would hear songs sung to the music of the rote, or would solace himself with the newest refrain of the minstrel, might win to his wish. Here stood the viol player, chanting ballads and lays to their appointed tunes. Everywhere might be heard the voice of viols and harp and flutes. In every place rose the sound of lyre and drum and shepherd's pipe, bagpipe, psaltery, cymbals, monochord, and all manner of music. Here the tumbler tumbled on his carpet. There the mime and the dancing girl put forth their feats. Of Arthur's guests some hearkened to the teller of tales and fables. Others called for dice and tables, and played games of chance for a wager. Evil befalls to winner and loser alike from such sport as this. For the most part men played at chess or draughts. You might see them, two by two, bending over the board. When one player was beaten by his fellow, he borrowed moneys to pay his wager, giving pledges for the repayment of his debt. Dearly enough he paid for his loan, getting but eleven to the dozen. But the pledge was offered and taken, the money rendered, and the game continued with much swearing and cheating, much drinking and quarrelling, with strife and with anger. Often enough the loser was discontented, and rose murmuring against his fellow. Two by two the dicers sat at table, casting the dice. They threw in turn, each throwing higher than his fellow. You might hear them count, six, five, three, four, two, and one. They staked their raiment on the cast, so there were those who threw half naked. Fair hope had he who held the dice, after his fellow had cried his number. Then the quarrel rose suddenly from the silence. One called across the table to his companion, "You cheat, and throw not fairly. Grasp not the dice so tightly in your hand, but shake them forth upon the board. My count is yet before yours. If you still have pennies in your pouch bring them out, for I will meet you to your wish." Thus the dicers wrangled, and to many of Arthur's guests it chanced that he who sat to the board in furs, departed from the tables clothed in his skin.

The two words gama [Running Game] and cara [Holding Game] existing in Manasollasa and Balabharata occur in the epic poem « Tri-Shashthi-Shalaka-Purusha-Charitra » (« The Sixty-Three Great Men ») composed by Hemacandra (1088-1172) between 1160 and 1172: धनमित्रोऽन्यदा रेमेऽक्षद्यूतं बलिना समम् । अक्षीणबुद्धिविभवो गमेन च चरेण च ॥ पत्तीनामिव सारीणां वधबन्धपरौ मिथः । विपञ्चयामासतुस्तौ द्यूतं रणमिवोत्कटम् ॥ dhanamitro’nyadā reme’kṣadyūtaṃ balinā samam | akṣīṇabuddhivibhavo gamena ca careṇa ca || pattīnām iva sārīṇāṃ vadhabandhaparau mithaḥ | vipañcayāmāsatus tau dyūtaṃ raṇam ivotkaṭam || One day Dhanamitra, the strength of whose intellect was undestroyed, played aksadyutam with gama and cara with Bali. Intent on the killing and blocking of each other’s men like soldiers, they developed the game like a violent battle.

Passage 1 Erec va siuant tote voie Le chevalier qui armez fu, Et le nain qui l’avoit feru, Tant qu’il vindrent a un chastel Mout bien seant et fort et bel; Parmi la porte antrent tot droit. El chastel mout grant joie avoit De chevaliers et de puceles; Car mout an i avoit de beles. Li un peissoient par les rues Espreviers et faucons de mues, Et li autre aportoient fors Terciaus, ostors muëz et sors. Li autre jeuent d’autre part Ou a la mine ou a hasart, Cil as eschas et cil as tables. Erec rode on, ever following The knight who was fully armed, And the dwarf who had struck him, Until they came to a castle Most well-situated, strong and fair; They passed straight through the gate. Within the castle, there was great joy Among the knights and maidens; For many beautiful women were there. Some, along the streets, were feeding Sparrowhawks and falcons in moult, While others were carrying out Tiercelets, and goshawks, molted or sore. Others still were playing elsewhere, At either 'mine' or games of hazard, Some at chess, and others at tables. Passage 2 Cil ne doit pas estre obli Ne Beduiers, li conestables, Qui mout sot d’eschas et de tables, That one must not be forgotten; Nor Bedivere the constable, Who knew much of chess and tables,

Vers 1646-1660Lors s'an vont jusqu'a une pree: An cele pree avoit puceles Et chevaliers et dameiseles, Qui jooient a plusors jeus, Por ce que biax estoit li leus. Ne jooient pas tuit a gas, Mes as tables et as eschas, Li un as dez, li autre au san, A la mine i rejooit l'an; A ces jeus li plusor jooient. Li autre, qui iluec estoient, Redemenoient lor anfances, Baules et queroles et dance; Et chantent et tunbent et saillent, Et au luitier se retravaillent.Then they proceed to a meadow,Where there were maids,Knights, and damselsPlaying at divers gamesBecause it was a pleasant place.They were not all engaged in idle sport,But were playing at tables, chessDice, Double Sixes,And mine too.Most of them played such games;The others enjoyedGames they had played when young,Dancing, singing,Tumbling, leaping,And wrestling with each other.

Verse 10581 Dâ lâgen vor den vrouwen fier wurfzabel und kurrier geworht von helfenbeine mit edelem gesteine spilten si, mit holze niht, als man nû vrouwen spilen siht. Before the ladies there lay four games of tables, Wurfzabel and Kurrier, fashioned from ivory and adorned with precious stones. They did not play them with wooden pieces, as one sees ladies play nowadays.

The poem "Li Roumans dou chastelain de Couci et de la dame du Fayel", attributed to Jakemes, appeared in several 14th century manuscripts. One of these manuscripts (Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris : Fonds Français n°15098) was edited by Georges-Adrien Crapelet in 1828. It attests that the poem was dated to 1228 and contained 2 miniatures. The first miniature (heading the first page of the text) represents the Lord de Coucy and the Lady de Fayel playing at the "game of tables". Passage 1 (v. 475-482) Après disner par grant soulas Orent vin, pommes, gingembras, Et puis si se leverent tuit. Chascuns ala en son [d]eduit. As tables vont aucuns jouer, Ou aus eschés pour deporter. Li aucuns faucons vont loirier ; Chascuns s'en va esbanier. They nicely end the dinner With wine, apples and ginger, Then they withdraw And devote to their pastimes now. They play at tables or chess According to their taste Others join hawk's train; All of them entertain. Passage 2 (v. 507-512) La dame au chastelain a dit : Sire, s'il vous plaist, un petit Jouerons moy et vous aus tables, C'est uns gieus biaus et delitables ; Et si voulés dormir aler, Vous irés pour vous reposer. The Lady said to the Lord: Sir, would you enjoy Playing at tables ? This game is nice and enjoyable ; Or, if you think best, Please have a rest.

The terms gama [Running Game] and cara [Holding Game] existing in Manasollasa and Tri-Shashthi-Shalaka-Purusha-Charitra appear also in Amaracandra's poem "Balabharata" (13th century) during the description of a game that is certainly Backgammon.See Paul Thieme, Chess and Backgammon, P. 212.Verse 14उत्थापितारोपितबद्धमुक्तैः श्यामैश्च रक्तैश्च नृपैरिवैतौ । सारैर्विचिक्रीडतुरेक्चित्तौ गमं चरेऽप्यादधतावलक्षम् ॥utthāpitāropitabaddhamuktaiḥ śyāmaiś ca raktaiś ca nrpair ivaitau śārair vicikrīḍatur ekacittau gamaṃ care ‘py ādadhatāv alakṣamWith the pieces, dark and red, raised, established, imprisoned (baddha), and released (mukta), they both played like kings.With the same spirit, they practiced the gama (running game) and the cara (holding game).

Book 4 - Kasi KhandaSection 2 - UttarārdhaChapter 88 - Satī Casts off Her Bodyविश्वक्रीडा प्रवर्त्तते देवदेव त्वया सह । मासैर्द्वादशभिः क्लृप्ताः कोष्ठिका द्यूतफलके ॥ पक्षौ सित्तसितौ देव कृष्णसारोद्भवौ तथा । तिथयः पञ्चदश च कोष्ठिकापूरिकाः स्मृताः ॥ अयनद्वितयं चैव पाशकद्वयमुच्यते । जयो जयश्च लोकेस्मिन् सृष्टिप्रलयसंज्ञकौ ॥ देव्या जये भवेत्सृष्टिर्धूर्जटेस्तु जये लयः । viśvakrīḍā pravarttate devadeva tvayā saha | māsairdvādaśabhiḥ klṛptāḥ koṣṭhikā dyūtaphalake || pakṣau sittasitau deva kṛṣṇasārodbhavau tathā | tithayaḥ pañcadaśa ca koṣṭhikāpūrikāḥ smṛtāḥ || ayanadvitayaṃ caiva pāśakadvayamucyate | jayo jayaśca lokesmin sṛṣṭipralayasaṃjñakau || devyā jaye bhavetsṛṣṭirdhūrjaṭestu jaye layaḥ |Narada said:O God of Gods, your game is the whole universeThe houses on the gaming board, O Lord, are the twelve months,The dark and light pieces are the days of the moon,Of which there are twice fifteen in month, the two dice are two paths of the sunThe two outcomes, victory and defeat, are called Creation and Dissolution.When Devi wins there is Emanation,When Dhurjati (Shiva) wins there is Reabsorption.

De Vetula (BL Harley MS 5263) is Latin poem from 13th century written in dactylic hexameter and split up into three books. XXVIII Excusare tamen speciem Ludi deciorum Nituntur, cum quâ deducitur alea pernix: Ipsam, dicentes, pauco discrimine rerum Pasci posse diu, tanta est dilatio ludi, Tanta lucri damnive mora est : successio cujus Tot parit eventus, quot iactus continet in se, Fine tenus, ludus, nec solâ sorte, sed arte Procedunt acies, & inest industria mira. Praesertim cum multimodè mutatio Ludi Quolibet in jactu disponi possit, eo quod, Sicut praecessit jactus, diversificantur In punctaturâ propriè : quia schema cadendi Nil operatur in hoc, sed punctatura docet, quid Lusoris faciat viso solertia jactu. Quomodo militiam disponat, ibi legit, unde Transferat et qua quam vel quas ter quinque suarum, Et combinat eas, ne si capiantur ab hoste Solivage, cogantur, ut ad sua castra recurrant, Et numeros perdant impensos, solivagasque Hostiles capit ad sua castra recurrere cogens, Damnificansque hostem numeris, quib egerat illas, Districtusque preoccupat, angustatque meatus, Ut pateat via tuta suis ad circumeundum, Atque negetur ei, quibus adversaries uti Debet. Sed postquam precluserit omnia, néve Descendat series sua precipitantius eque, Exponit quasdam capiendas sponte suarum, Ut renovet, sursumque reciprocet obsidionem, Restauretque suam, si rupta est fortè, catenam, Donec tot teneat captivas, quot recipi vix Possent in castris, etiamsi castra vacarent: Vel donec, que transierant, ita precipitate, Sint, vel dissute, quod non possent retinere, Si quam captivam regredi contingeret illuc. Yet they try to excuse the nature of the game of dice, With which keen hazard leads, saying that, By the slightest change in matters, One can feed on it for a long time, so great is the delay of the game, So lengthy is the suspense of profit or loss: a succession Breeds as many outcomes as throws contained within itself; The whole game proceeds to the end, not by chance alone, but by skill, Lines progress and skill is wondrous within. Especially since the variation of the game can be arranged in many ways With each throw, for, Just as a throw has precedence, they differ In scoring specifically: because the way the dice fall Has no effect here, but the score teaches What the player's insight, upon seeing the throw, should do. How to arrange the campaign, he reads from there, from where He should transfer and by what means, how or which sets of five of his own, And he combines them, lest if his pieces are seized by an enemy, Wandering, they are forced to retreat to their camp And lose the numbers already spent, and likewise He compels the enemy’s lone captives to run to their camp, Causing their loss in numbers, by which they earned, He confines and blocks the passage, So that a safe way remains for his to travel around, And denies the adversary what he should use. But after he has blocked everything, and stops His line rushing forward too quickly, He exposes some of his own pieces to be taken willingly, To renew and reciprocate the siege, To restore his chain if it happens to be broken, Until he holds captive as many as could scarcely be received In the camp, even if the camp were empty: Or until those who have passed, so hastily, Are so scattered, that they could not retain Any that, if captured, might return there.

The oldest edition that survives today is from the Zhishun 至順 period (1332). The introduction written by Zha Fuxi tells that Shilin Guangji was composed by Chen Yuanjing (1200-1266) during the Southern Song Dynasty (1126-1279) and was revised several times in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).The Shilin Guangji contains Hong Zun's Pushuang.In his article “Suspicions Regarding What Are Alleged To Be Glass and Agate Weiqi Chess Pieces” [China Archaeology and Art Digest 4.4 (2002)], Dong Li of Shaanxi History Museum put an illustration from Shilin Guangji showing two men playing Shuanglu. We recognize the starting position of the modern backgammon.Special thanks to Jean-Louis Cazaux and Thierry Depaulis for this scan.

In the 13th century, inspired by anterior Arab compositions, a (Lombard ?) anonymous author composed in Latin the first occidental treatise about chess and tables under the pseudonym of Bonus Socius ('ego bonus socius', "I, the Good Companion").It includes variants of:barail,imperial,minoret,testa.Florence Library, Banco dei Rari 241 (fomerly B.A. 6, p. 2, no. 1)This illuminated manuscript contains 11 problems of game of tables on 7 folios (ff. 112-118).Istud partitum optimum sed difficilimum ad plenum. Doceri non potest. Potius usu ludo est optativis in tribus taxillis. Ludet quelibet pars cum 14. Nigre 12 stant in sua domo et albe 12 in sua domo. Vn oportet que due nigre vedurantet ad suas et due albe ad suas. Qui primo trahit melius per totum ht faciendo cum duabis cinc quater as et ligando. Alter descendet paulats cum amesas el terz. lj idem faciet qui primo traxit cauendo sibi ne duas nudas faciat quod tunc alia pars ivet cum una domo suis et posset acquire. Sed dato que interdiratet ne primus tractus siat cinc quater as ut perdixi tunc que primo trahunt detius lunt lurvavet tn de non experto faciendo amesas cum duabis extrinsecis et unum as in domo ille forsan faciet illud quod tu tunc suas denuddire in domo duas tabulas quod una sit in cinc ul in sis arqurus si ipen denudet duas que tu cum una dua extrinseca cooperis una et alia trahassi tunc percuciat tuas extrinsecan. non potit os coopire tu tapies cum arquies. si non post tuum primum tactum suas duas extrinsecas faciendo punctum in suis sines ul si in tuis sines faciat punctum tunc sili perdet quod tu paulati ludes cum amesas el terz. unam sep omiittendo in sis ur qn nelis cum extrinsecas lude illa coopias. Istum ludum nunquam perftem scies non experimento. Et li non que unus non q pellitur facere quicquid alter facit sicur in quibuldan alii ludis optativis quilit cum facit. tribus taxillis quicquid ci placet.This problem is excellent but very difficult. It can scarcely be taught, but must rather be learned by practice. The game is "by chosing a throw" with three dice and is played with fourteen pieces on a side. Twelve black pieces stand in their house and twelve white in theirs. Therefore it is necessary that the two black get back among their own men and the two white likewise. Who ever has the first move has the advantage if he plays with the two pawns 5-4-1 and if he protects himself; the other will descend a little at a time with 1-1-1. Who ever moves first will do the same, being careful not to leave bare his two, because then the adversary would advance with his and would be able to gain ground. But if in the first move the 5-4-1 cannot be protected, as I have said, then those who have the move will be in worse position. It would be advantageous however for one who is not expert to make 1-1 with two pieces inside and an 1 in the home table. The adversary will possibly do the same ; but then if you know how to give two tables in the house of which one shall be in 5 and one in6, you will have the advantage. If he lays bare his, you will cover with one of your outside pieces : you will move both. If then he takes one of your outside pieces, he will not be able to recover all and you will take him and gain ground. But if he does not move his two outside pieces after your first move, making point in his 12, even then he will lose because you will gradually play with the 1-1-1, always sending one in 6 because when he wishes to play with the inside pieces you can cover it.This game will never be known without practice. This is because one is not compelled to do what the adversary does as in most other ottative games. Each one does with the three dice whatever he pleases.In his article "The Mediæval Game of Tables" (Medium Ævum vol. X n°2 [1941]), H.J.R. Murray translated some terms of this manuscript:barra sb. the bar. Exire ultra barram (fol. 117v), to cross the bar.cooperire c. (fol. 117v), to cover, play a second man to a point already occupied by a man of the same sidedomus, the inner table from which a player bears his menextra (fol. 117v), outside the bearing table.fallum, perdere ad (fol. 117v), to lose by being unable to use a throwfirmare punctum (fol. 113v), to hold a point by piling men on it.optare v. (ff. 112v and 113v), to choose a throw.partita, a problemposta, ad postam, invitare, ad invitum, problem of which no explanation is given, presumably because they were understoodpunctum, facere punctum (fol. 116v), to hold a point by piling men on it.solus sb. (fol. 117v), a single man or blot.BNF Ms latin 10286 (formerly 7390)14th century copycat, signed by 'N. de N.' (f° 3r), that would have belong to Charles d'Orléans (annotations in the margins). The 24 folios (ff. 149-172) containing 48 problems of tables are available for consultation on Gallica and begin with :Hec sunt partita tabularum et quia dupliciter fiunt scilicet optando cum lingua et proiciendo taxilos, primo dicitur de optativis id est illis que optantur sive petuntur cum ore. Et est istud partitum tale: dicit ille qui habet auream tabulam ista aurea tabula debet elevari in punctis quia ibi est sua domus et rubea econtrario scilicet ubi stat aurea. et luditur in duobus taxillis pete primo vel ego petam et scire debes quod illa que stat deforis scilicet rubea perdit sive primo trahat sive non: quia si primo trahat percutit auream per sines et aurea percutit eam faciendo sines et vincit ut statim vides. si aurea primo trahat percutit rubeam per sines et rubea percutit illam quia melius non habet. tunc aurea faciet iiii as et vincet ut videbis.Here are the problems of Tables that can be played 2 ways, i.e either "by chosing a throw" or "by casting the dice". The first manner is played by announcing the dice as in this first problem. The one who has the golden pawn says : this pawn must be born off from the points [19 to 24], because it is his homeboard, and the red pawn [does] the opposite, i.e from where the golden pawn is. This problem is played with 2 dice [no more]. Be the first to announce or I announce. You shall know that the one who is outside, i.e the red player, loses the game whever he starts or not. Because if he begins, he hits the golden pawn with 6-6 and the golden pawn hits it in return with 6-6 and wins as you can see. If the golden pawn begins, he hits with 6-6 the red pawn that hits it in return because he cannot do better. Then the golden pawn plays 4-1 and will win, as you can see.In the 14th century, Bonus Socius was translated to French (Picard dialect) many times.BNF Ms fr. 1173 (formerly 7391)Le Gieu des eskès, les partures de taules et le gieu des merellesis signed 'Nicoles de St Nicholas' (f° 2r).The 24 folios (ff. 180-203) containing the problems of tables are available for consultation on Gallica and begin with : Chi commenc[h]ent les partures de[s] taules et por ce ke [on] en puet juer en .ij. manières c'est asavoir par souhaidier de la langue et par gietter les dés, premiers dirons de celes à souhaidier, et est ceste parture tele, ke taule doit estre eslevée ens es poins. Et li taule rouge est eslevée ou taulier où celé d'or est..., and finish with a problem that can be found in BNF Ms latin 10286 f.171v :Ches partures sont faites alesiées ceus des taules. Et sont faites les unes de .ii. dés et les autres de .iii. Les unes sont juees de souhaide. Si comme li hom sans dés souhaide chou qu'il veut. Et chis premiers gieus est de buffe en .ii. des. Les rouges vont devant et celes d'or les suient. et est maisons de chascune partie li point sont fait et sont toutes celes d'or asseurées. aucun croient keles puissent aler avec les rouges encloses et desleueront li sienes en reponant celes d'or. Tu rechoives anchois celes d'or, et en envoies .ii. por une ; car encontenant lues que tu commenceras celi trespasser des siues asseurées, il sera confus si que tu le verras.These problems are widly games of tables. Ones are played with 2 dice and the others with 3 dice. Ones are played by choosing throws. If playing without dice, we announce what we want. And this first game is Buffe with 2 dice. The red pawns go ahead and the golden pawns follow them to their homeboards in 19-24. All the white pawns are safe. Nobody believes that the golden pawns can follow the stacked red pawns, rearrange and bear off. However you have to accept the golden pawns and you move 2 pawns instead of 1 because as soon as you begin to hit his pawns, yours will be safe. He will be confused as you can see it.BNF Ms fr. 1999 (formerly 7918)Livret des divers jeux partis du tablier, manuscript that have belong to Charles V. The 17 folios (ff. 118-134) containing 34 problems of tables are available for consultation on Gallica and begin with : Jà sont les partures des tables; et pour ce que elles sont faites en deux manières, c'est assavoir par souhait de la langue et en jetant les dez, nous dirons premiers de celles qui sont faites par souhait, ou par petition de la bouche..., and finish with a problem that can be found in BNF Ms latin 10286 f.166v :Ceste parture est de souhait en iii dez; et doivent toutes estre ramenées en a, en faisant une meisme chose. A tous traiz l'en demande premier vi, v, iiii, en traiant toutes en la crois; après, vi, v,iiii, de toutes; au dernier, vi, v, iiii ; et viennent toutes en a, si com tu pourras veoir.This is a problem with 3 dice by choosing throws. All the pawns have to be brought to A, with the same dice. You ask 6-5-4 at first to move to the cross. Then 6-5-4 and last 6-5-4. They are all in A, as you can see it.Ms H. 279 (Montpellier)Li Livres Bakot, l’Explicit des partures de tables contains 48 problems of tables on 25 folios (ff. 90-114).Pierpont Morgan Library. Manuscript. M.108. (also called Fountaine Ms)The 22 folios (ff. 147-168) containing 44 problems of tables (f°146 that contained the 2 first problems is missing) begin with a problem that can be found in BNF Ms latin 10286 f.150v :Cis gius est de le tiest[e] et souhaidans en .iij. des et dient celles dor que elles leueront toutes deuant che que les rouges soient hors cest en A. et traient chilles dor premers et les rouges seront che meisme que celles dor et se les rouges le perdent aucun point quelles ne puissent toudis faire tout le giu al dor le uollent perdre tu auoec celles dor le fai .du. et as. et leaieme de un quaerne il fera un quaerne deus et as et tu deus et ambes .as. enferant les sienes atout le trait et il cece meisme. hoste lune en ferant lune des sienes et fai deus et ambes .as. et il ce meisme tu feras le siene par deus et laut[r]e feras en fasant ambes as et en desleueras une et en uiant ensi tu poras ueoir coument tu les elleueras toutes deuant que nulles des rouges pinstissir et leuenteras.This is a problem of Teste with 3 dice by choosing throws. The player with golden pawns says that he will bear off all his pawns before the red pawns reach A. The player with golden pawns begins and he with red pawns plays the same throws. The red pawns will not have to cross the board if they are hit contrary to the golden pawns. You have the golden pawns and you announce 2-1 [to hit the 2 red pawns] and you cover with a 4. He will do 4-2-1 [and will enter in points 1 and 4] and you 2-1-1 to hit his. He will do the same : he keeps one and enters one [in point 2]. You do 2-1-1 with one pawn that will hit his pawn and then will bear off with 1-1. And by doing so you can see how you bear them all before red crosses the bar.Additional MS 9351 (British Museum)Tractatus varii de ludis containis 44 problems of tables (ff.8-10 et 17-35 [ff. 11-16 are missing])Este ludus es oportuno in tribus taxillis. et albe q̇ trahen .& leuabunt ubi stat nigra reguersa. & q̈s faciant albe facit nigra. y si non potuerit ludar stabit firma. q̈r ṗ hoc nullus ṗdet .& faciet albe buff das de anteriori. Nigra idē. Albe buff. de fin . facien̄ tabulā in .b nigra stat firma. una albarū buff de du. capien̄ nigrā in .ḡ. Albe buff de fin & uincet. et ē ṗtuum istud de testa in tribus taxillis. Nota q̇ quellos q̇ fazē le bianche se ntendē q̇ li megra non esca donec le.This game is excellent [played] with three dice. The white [pieces] are those that draw (play), and they shall bear off where the black piece stands in reverse. And what the white pieces do, the black pieces do as well. And if one cannot play, it shall remain firm (immobile), for by this no one loses. And the white pieces shall make a 'buff' (a blocking move) with the forward dice. The black pieces likewise.The white pieces, [with a] 'buff' of the end, shall make a board (occupy the point) at 6. The black piece remains firm. One of the whites, [with a] 'buff' of two, shall capture the black piece on [point] G. The whites [make] 'buff' of the end and shall win. And this is a 'head' [game] with three dice.Note that for those who play the whites, it is understood that the blacks do not bear off.Este ludus ē optatunus in tribus taxillis. & dnt̄ albe q̇ ellena-būt oes̄ anq̄̄ aliqua nigrarū sit ex̄o. & trahun̄t albe & dabur unam nigris ut semp̄ faciat totum ludū. & faciet q̄qd faciet albe. Tu cum albis fac du. & as. de illa sola capien̄ nigras. & copi ex cū quatt̄. Ipe faciet quatt̄ & du & as. Tunc fac du & ambas semp̄ capiendo suas ad omnē tractum ipe idem. Tu dpone unam capiendo unā desuis & facies ambas. Ipe idē. tunc capies suā ṗ du. & ahā silr̄ facien̄ ambas. & ellouun̄ unā. & ita ludū quō uidebis omnes ellouabes prius q̄̄ aliqua nigrarū possit exire & uinces. et ē de testa in tribus taxillis.This game is opportune with three dice. And it is said that the whites shall bear off all their pieces before any of the blacks have exited. The whites shall draw (play) and give one [piece] to the blacks so that they always carry the whole game (so they are forced to keep playing). And they shall do whatever the whites do.You, with the whites, throw a 'two' and an 'ace'; with that alone, they shall capture the blacks. And then capture with a 'four'. He (the black opponent) will throw 'four', 'two', and 'ace'. Then, throw 'two' and 'ace' (both), always capturing his pieces at every stroke (move), and he shall do the same.You, set down one [piece] while capturing one of his, and you will do both. He shall do the same. Then, you will capture his piece with the 'two', and the other in the same manner by doing both. And they shall bear one off. And thus, in this game, you will see that you shall bear them all off before any of the black pieces can exit, and you will win. And it is a 'head' [game] with three dice.Ms. Extrav. 118 (Wolfenbüttel - Herzog August Bibliothek)Ms. Extrav. 118 contains, in French, 34 problems of de tables (ff. 117-133).

Historia rerum in partibus transmarinis gestarum (BNF, MS Fr. 9081), manuscript created at Acre around 1280 tells the "Attack on Hugues II du Puiset" [f.160r] which took place in Jerusalem in December 1132.Hughes II du Puiset, Count of Jaffa, was free to remain in Jerusalem while waiting for a ship to take him into exile. One day, while playing dice on the street, he was brutally attacked by a Breton knight. The knight was quickly apprehended and convicted.LI QUATORZIESMES LIVRESXV. De la mort le conte de Japhe et coment il fu au cors perilleusement navrez.Si com il estoit devise en la pais li Cuens devoit passer mer: si estoit alez en Jherusalem por atendre son passage. Un jor avint que il fu en la rue que len apele la rue aus Peletiers devant louvroer a un marcheant que len claimoit Alfons et jooit ilec aus tables. Uns chevaliers survint la qui estoit nez de Bretaigne: bien se prist garde que li cuens pensoit mout a son jeu; lors sacha sespee si le feri parmi la teste et apres destoc parmi le cors en pluseurs leus. Granz plaies li fist assez voiant touz ceus qui present estoient. Li criz sordi par la ville mout granz: tuit i acorurent et fu la citez mout esmeue.BOOK FOURTEENTHXV. On the death of the Count of Jaffa and how he was seriously injuredThe Count of Jaffa was waiting for an opportunity to cross the sea and went again to Jerusalem, according to its use. One day, in the street of the Blacksmiths, in front of the shop of a merchant named Alfane, while playing at tables, without mistrust and only thinking playing, when suddenly a Breton knight, took up his sword, attacked the Count and inflicted several blows on him, in the presence of all those who were there. At once a great number of people gathered; the whole city was agitated and quivered of horror, on the hearing of such a hateful assassination.

The illuminated manuscript Li Livres Bakot that is now kept at la faculté de médecine de Montpellier is the French version of the Italian manuscript Bonus Socius (1275). So we can find the same backgammon variants.L’Explicit des partures de tables contains 48 problems of tables on 25 folios (ff. 90-114). The problem 33 repeats and corrects the first one.Ferdinand Castets retranscribed in 1907 several passages of Li Livres Bakot in his book "Li Livres Bakot", manuscrit contenant des parties d'échecs, de tables et de mérelles:Partie I. (= BNF Ms latin 10286 f.149r)The problem 33 (below) repeats and corrects the first one.Ichi sunt les partures des tables, et por ce qu’eles sunt faites en deuz manieres, s’il est assavoir par souhait de la langue et en getant les dés, nous dirons premiers de celes qui sunt faites par souhait, c'est a dire de celes qui sont faites par souhait ou par peticion de la bouche, et ceste prime parteure est tele. Chil qui a la blanche table, dist : Ceste table doit estre levée es poins [rouges][1], car c’est sa maison, et la noire [fait][2] le contraire, s’il est assavoir ou la blance est ; et si jeueon en ceste parteure de II dés [sans plus]. Demande premiers ou je demanderai. Et [si] dois savoir que cele qui est defors, s’il est assavoir la noire, pert [le ju], traie premier ou non. Car s’ele trait premier, ele fiert la blanche par sinne, et la blance le fiert ausi en faisant sinne et vaint, si com tu pues tantost veoir. Se la blance trait pemiers, ele fiert la noire par sinne et la noire li, car ele ne puet mix [faire. Lors fera la blance quatre et as] et vaintera [la noire], si com tu [porras veoir en faisant la prueve][3].Here are the problems of Tables that can be played 2 ways, i.e either "by choosing a throw" or "by casting the dice". The first manner is played by announcing the dice as in this first problem. The one who has the white pawn says : this pawn must be born off from the points[1], because it is his homeboard, and the black pawn [does][2] the opposite, i.e from where the white pawn is. This problem is played with 2 dice [no more]. Be the first to announce or I announce. You shall know that the one who is outside, i.e the black player, loses the game whever he starts or not. Because if Black begins, he hits the white pawn with 6-6 and the white pawn hits it in return with 6-6 and wins as you can see. If White begins, he hits with 6-6 the black pawn that hits it in return because he cannot do better. Then White plays 4-1 and will win, as you can see.[3]Partie XIV. (= BNF Ms latin 10286 f.161v)Toutes sont en lor maisons por lever et les blances traient premiers, et fait cascune partie buf de as en III dés, et est le ju de barill en tel maniere que quant li uns est pris, il entre es poins et avironne le tablier. Et vaintent les blances, car eles lievent une des daesraines en faisant buf de as. Lors font les noires buf de as et les blances buf de as d’une seule daesraine, car c’est lors bons jus se les noires prendent cele qui est. Et se eles prendent ou non, tu as blances, en fera[s] une nue autre, et feras prendre II des tines et retrairas et enquerras de ces II et feras que toutes les suies viegnent en la seconde table. Lors retrairas de ces II la maison et les leveras en tel maniere que la tierce demora nue en la bataille devant les noires et la touceront et tu ne prenderas fors la daesraine et tu vainteras.All the pawns are in their homeboard and are ready to be born off [White and Black move in the same direction]. White begins and everyone plays 1-1-1 in 3 dice each time. This is a problem of Barill, i.e when a pawn is hit, he must be re-entered and cross the board again. White wins because he bears off one of the last pawns by playing 1-1-1. Thus Black plays 1-1-1 and White 1-1-1 by moving only one of the last pawns, because the best thing to do is to be hit by Black. Hit or not, you have the white pawns and you will leave a second pawn isolated. 2 pawns will be hit and will have to come back together to the second table. Then you will bring both pawns in their homeboard and you will bear them off with the third pawn alone in the battle against Black. You will not be hit and will win.Partie XXI. (= BNF Ms latin 10286 f.165r)Ceste parture est de minoret et est de souhait, et fera la noire ce que feront les blances, et s’elle puet issir en la crois, les blances le perdent par le trait meisme que les blances sunt levées. Tu, jue des blances et fai ambe troie dusques en a, la noire autel. Tu feras buf de sinne en faisant table en b. Il se tenra fermes, car ja por ce ne perdra nus, et ensi par buf de sinnes prendras la siue et leveras toutes les blances en ce liu que mains que cinc des queles tu feras adès buf de as ; car se ele puet issir dusques en la crois et par ce meisme trait que les blances seront levées daesrainement, ele vaintera ; mais les blances feront ensi que dit est et eles le gaaigneront.This is a problem of Minoret by choosing throws. White and Black will play the same dice. If the black pawn can reach the cross, Black will win before the white pawns are born off. You play the white ones and do 1-1-3 to A and Black does the same [to B]. You will do 6-6-6 and will hit the black pawn in B. And thus by several 6-6-6, you will continue and bear off all your white pawns in this place, because if the black pawn went to the cross, Black would win. But White will do so and win.Partie XXIII. (= BNF Ms latin 10286 f.166r)Ceste parteure est de souhait de teste et traient premiers les blances, et qui faut, il le pert ; et font adès les blances quaterne et troie, et les noies adès buf de sinne et le tiere. Dont je di que les blances vainteront, car eles font quaterne en a et troie en b ; les noires buf de sinne veulent d’une ou de deuz ; les blances troie en b et quaterne en c et vaintent, car les noires le perdent par falir.This problem of Teste [game with 3 dice] is played by choosing throws : White begins, the one who cannot play [blocked] loses. White announces 4-4-3, Black announces 6-6-6 then both bear their pawns. White will win, because he plays 4-4 to A and 3 to B. Black plays 6-6-6 with only 1 or 2 pawns depending on his choice. White does 3 to B and 4-4 to C and wins, because Black [blocked] loses.Partie XXXVIII. (= BNF Ms latin 10286 f.151v)Ceste parture est de teste et de III dés, faite par souhait, et jue li uns et li autre de XIIII tables, et si sunt toutes en lor maisons, mais que II de cascune part qui douent estre ramenées et apres levées avec les autres ; et quiconques faut, il le pert, et qui premiers trait il vaint en faisant V III et as en a et les autres font lor ju en lor maisons par buf de as, une demourant en teste, et n’en desloje ce pas deuz, et les autres faicent ensi. Et convent a cascune partie faice I deuz, ainsi qu’il convient. Et convient que cascune partie faice bien son ju. La partie qui premiers trait a le melleur du ju en la maison en tel maniere que li secons trais juera en la parfin des deuz de dehors et le perdera. Mais s’il est mis en convenence que au premerain trait ne soit pas faite table en a, lors le pert qui premiers trait, car il fera ambezas et le tiert de celes de dehors en la maison, et l’autre partie aussi. Et lors chascune partie juera par buf de as. Mais chis qui trait secons, ara plus de ju et le melleur, telement que en la fin li premiers traiant juera des sines qui sunt dehors, et le perdera, si comme chil qui set le ju le puet savoir et veoir. Mais peu en sont, ne on ne puet mie plainement le ju ensegnier par escrit, mais par antisse, car il est tres soutil.This is a problem of Teste with 3 dice, played by choosing throws. Both play with 14 pawns that are all in their homeboards, except 2 that must be brought back and born off with the others. The one who cannot play loses. The one who begins wins by playing 5-4-1 [not 5-3-1] to A. The opponent moves in his homeboard with 1-1-1, by keeping his outside pawns in Teste and so on. And each player should play the same. And each payer should continue. The player who begins has the best play in his homeboard so that the other one will play his 2 pawns left outside at last and will lose. But if we agree that the first player cannot put a pawn on A at first throw, then he loses because he will play 1-1 to bring his outside pawns back to their homeboard, and 1 to move one pawn in his homeboard and the other player too. Each player will play 1-1-1. But the one who begins in second will have the best play. So that the first player will play several 6 to move the outisde pawns and will lose, as the one who knows the game can guess and see. But few players are experts, and we cannot teach the game totally in writing but by practice because it is very subtle.Partie XLII. (= BNF Ms latin 10286 f.155v)Ceste parture est de barill en II dés et sis i est por le tiers, et est en partie de souhait, car les blances traient primes et sunt toutes afiées ; et getent les dés les noires ne ne sunt mie affiées, mais elles demandent ce qu’eles veulent en II dés, et aucune fois demandent, ce que faire ne puent, sis et ce qu’eles puent. Cil as blances les espart quanques il puet, et s’il ne clot au premerain trait le sinne point des noires, les noires vainteront, car eles demanderont tous jours sinnes et se recuelleroient primes et reteroient legierement et vainteroient. Mais se les blances en getent VII ou VIII et les encloent, elles ont aussi le meilleur du ju.This is a problem of barill with 2 dice + an invariable throw of 6 and is partly by choosing throws because White plays first and casts the dice, his pawns are safe, the black pawns are not safe but Black announces his throws, Black nevers asks what he cannot play but what he can. The one who has the white pawns moves them depending on dice, and if he does not close the point A at first, Black will win because he will ask 6-6 each time to bring back and bear off his pawns at first and will win. But if White casts 7 or 8 and covers the point A, he will have the best play.Partie XLIV. (= BNF Ms latin 10286 f.156v)Ceste parture est de teste en  III dés et la blance giete les dés et les noires souhaident, et keurent toutes coses desfendues, et cascuns juera tout sans malice, ou cil qui a la blance table ne se levera du ju, dusques adont que une des noires soit gaaignie ou perdue, par certaine pecune. Et nule cose desfendue ne puet estre fausée, et la blance table ne pert pas par falir. Tu, pren les noires, car quant la blance ist, ele le gaagne, et quant ele n’ist, tu en dois faire trois nues par buf de as et en ferant la blance, et ele ferra des tiues ; tu entreras en l’opposite du tablier et le prendras et feras les tiues prendre et renterras les tiues. La quel cose a la parfin ele ne porra passer et tenras le ju si longuement que tu vaurras, dusques adont que la blance ara tout perdu, car ele en la fin ne porroit gaagnier.This is a problem of Teste in 3 dice. White casts the dice and Black choses the throws. Each one will play harmlessly [or will pay a fine]. The one who has the white pawn will not bear off. No protected point can be covered and White loses if he cannot play. You take the black ones. If White escapes, he wins. So you shall make 3 slots with 1-1-1 by hitting the white pawn. The white pawn will enter by hitting the black pawns that will have to re-enter too by the opposite table. The white pawn will not be able to pass because you will hold at length. White will lose and will not be able to win.1 Partie 33. mais les tabliers ne donnent pas ces points rouges. 2 Partie 33, et de même pour les autres mots ajoutés. 3 Sic Partie 33. le texte de la partie 1 à partir de « mix » est : « et vaintera, si com tu le verras ».1 Part 33. However, the aprons do not yield these red points.2 Part 33, and likewise for the other added words.3 Sic Part 33. The text of Part 1, beginning from "mix," is: "and [he/it] will conquer, as you shall see."

Civis Bononiae (Citizen of Bologna) is the pseudonym of the compiler of a large collection of chess and tables problems as shown in the prologue ('Civis sum Bononiae ista qui collegi'). Civis Bononiae contains the following games: barail, desbaraill bethelas buff, buffa buff de Baldriac (problem 73), ‘ludus subtilis et non multum usitatus’ imperial, this game is different from 13 A XVIII. minoret testa The oldest copycat, MS 372 (~1300), preserved in the Fitzwilliam Museum, contains 80 problems of tables (ff. 154-193). Ista sunt partita tabularum, et que dupliciter fiunt scilicet optando cum lingua et iaciendo taxillos. Primo dicitur de optantibus id est de illis que optantur sui partem ille qui habet albam tabulam. Ista alba debet elevari in punctis et nigra econtrario scilicet ubi stat alba et luditur in duobus taxillis. Pete primo vel ego petam. Et scire debes quod illa quae stat deforis perdit sive primo trahat sive secundo quia si primo trahit periit per sines. Et tunc periuntur. Nam alter facit sines et lucratur alba ut statim vides. Si alba primo trahit periuntur nigra nam periit et altera facit quateras et vincit ut videbis. These are the problems of tables, which are played in two ways: namely, by choosing by word of mouth or by throwing the dice. First, we speak of those who choose, that is, of those [games] which are chosen for one's side by the one who has the white board. This white [piece] must be moved up the points, and the black one conversely—namely, where the white stands—and it is played with two dice. 'You challenge first, or I shall challenge.' And you should know that the one who stands on the outside loses, whether they play first or second, because if they play first, they lose by the 'sixes' (double sixes). And then they are defeated. For the other player makes 'sixes' and the white wins, as you can see at once. If the white plays first, the black pieces are defeated, for they lose and the other player makes 'fours' (double fours) and wins, as you will see. In his article "The Mediæval Game of Tables" (Medium Ævum vol. X n°2 [1941]), H.J.R. Murray translated some terms : aditus sb. (problem 54), entry. caput sb. (problem 8), the sice-point. claudere v. claudere introitum (problem 7), to close the points of entry. communis, ludus est (problem 59), the game is drawn. denudare v. (problem 26), to bare, leave a point empty or only held by a blot. domus, the inner table from which a player bears his men elevare v. (problem 1), to bear. extrinseca (problem 1), outside the bearing table. ferire v. (problem 26), to strike or take glosa sb. (problem 45), solution. intrare (problem 7), to enter. introitus sb. (problem 18), entry. ire clausae (problem 54), to play without unpiling points. ligare v., to double or pile men ; facere tabulam ligatam (problem 22) ; tenere tabulam ligatam (problem 29). majoret (problem 77), the higher of the throws of two dice is duplicated. manus ; tenere in manu (problem 10), to hold a man awaiting re-entry; tabula in manu (problem 47), a captured man awaiting re-entry. minoret (problem 77), the lower of the throws of two dice is duplicated (not to be confused with the game of the same name). nudare v. (problem 6), to leave a man or point bare. nudus sb. (problem 58), a blot. optativus ludus (problem 1), a game in which the players choose their throws. partita, partitum (problem 1), a position or problem; partitum pejus (problem 46), the worse position. passim, to lose by being unable to use a throw perdere punctum (problem 9), to lose a throw by not being able to play it. posta, ad postam, invitare, ad invitum, problem of which no explanation is given, presumably because they were understood solus sb. (problem 6), a single man or blot. stare ad elevandum (problem 13, 31), to be ready for bearing. transire v. (problem 16), to cross to the other half of the board unicus sb., a blot. volta (problem 45), move or turn of play. Numerous copies appeared in the 15th century: Codex 273 (Roma - Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Roma) containing 76 problems of tables (ff. 149-186) Codex Barberiniano Latino 254 (Vatican - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana) formerly Barberini X. 72 Codex XIX. 7. 37 (Florence - Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze) containing 72 problems of de tables (ff. 157-192) Codex alpha.R.9.3, lat. 143 (Modena - Biblioteca Estense universitaria di Modena), Tractatus partitorum Schachorum Tabularum et Merelorum Scriptus anno 1454, containing 85 problems of de tables (ff. 271r-313r)

LXXV. Von dem wurfzabel. Verses 11439 to 11446 Noch ist einerleie spil Des herren spulgent, von dem doch vil Sünden und schanden kumt etswenne : Wurfzabel ich daz spil iu nenne. Daz vant ein ritter hiez Aleô Vor Troie, des sît vil maniger unfrô Ist worden und wirt leider noch, Dem spil ûf bindet des kummers joch. There is another kind of game Played by Lords, That brings sometimes a lot of sins and dishonour : I mean Wurfzabel. A knight invented it and called it Alea At Troy, since many have became unhappy and will still be unfortunately, Because of this game attached to the yoke of misfortune.

During the crusade, King Saint Louis joined his seneschal, Jean de Joinville, to play a game of tables. Une fois, pour passer le temps, je jouois au tables devant li, et il me dist : « Seneschal, jouez vous ? » Je li répondi que oi, et il me dist : « Et je veuil jouer, mais vous y gagnerez toujours, car je n’ai onques veü que vous n’ayez aussi bonne chance comme moi. Once, to pass the time, I was playing at tables in front of him, and he said to me: 'Seneschal, are you playing?' I answered that I was, and he said: 'I wish to play too, but you will always win, for I have never seen anyone who has as much luck as you.

Royal 13 A XVIII is a manuscript kept in the British Library containing a drawing of a backgammon board (f. 157v) and a Latin text headed "Ludi ad tabulas" (ff. 158r-160r) transcribed by Willard Fiske: see below. See Joseph Strutt's partial translation in The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England. This manuscript contains the following games of tables : baralie faylys imperial ludus Anglicorum (also called Testa in other manuscripts) ludus Lumbardorum mylis paume carie provincial In his article "The Mediæval Game of Tables" (Medium Ævum vol. X n°2 [1941]), H.J.R. Murray translated some terms : ablatio sb. (fol. 159r), bearing, playing a man off the board. aperire v. (fol. 158v), to open by unpiling a point so that the opponent can play to it. apertus punctus (fol. 158r), an opened point. auferre v. (fol. 158r), to bear. egressus sb. (fol. 158r), egress, point from which a man can be borne. homo sb., man ; homo captus (fol. 159r), captured man ; homo vagans (fol. 158v), blot. intrare v. (fol. 158r), to enter. jactus sb., throw of the dice. jupertia (fol. 159v), a position or problem. lurching sb. (fol. 158v), a form of victory in the English game. lympolding, lympoldatus (ff. 158r and 158v), another form of victory in the English game. nodare v. nodare punctum (fol. 158r), to secure a point by piling men on it. pagina (fol. 158r), a table of the board. posta, ad postam, invitare, ad invitum, problem of which no explanation is given, presumably because they were understood talia ; lusus taliarum (fol. 159v), the game of tables tollere v. (fol. 158r), to bear. unire duo (fol. 159r), to place two men on the same point. Ludus Anglicorum Multi sunt ludi ad tabulas cum taxillis, quorum primus est longus ludus, et est ludus Anglicorum, et est communis, et est talis naturae. Ille qui sedet ex parte .am. habebit .xv. homines in puncto .&., et ille qui sedet ex parte .n&. habebit .xv. homines in puncto .a. Et tunc ludunt cum tribus taxillis vel cum duobus, supposito semper pro tertio taxillo .vi. Tunc ille qui est ex parte .am. ducet omnes suos homines, qui sunt in .&. per paginas .&t. et .sn. et .mg. usque ad paginam .fa. et ibi tollet eos. Ille autem qui est ex parte .n&. ducet omnes suos homines qui sunt in .a. per paginas .af. .gm. .ns. usque ad paginam .t&. et ibi tollet eos. Ille autem, qui prior abstulerit homines suos, vincet. Et sciendum quod ille qui sedet ex parte .am. potest nodare quodlibet punctum in pagina .mg. et in pagina .fa. excepto puncto .a. quum occupatur per duos homines adversarii sui vel plures, et quum non est ibi nisi unus homo, tunc potest capere eum. Et quicunque potest incipere aliquem hominem adversarii non nodatum in puncto, ubi terminatur numerus omnium vel singulorum taxillorum suorum, potest capere eum, et tunc ille homo captus redibit ad paginam .t&., et intrabit cum .vi. in .t., et cum .v. in .u., et cum .iv. in .x., et cum .iii. in .y, et cum .ii. in .z., et cum .i. in .&., et hoc si illa puncta nou fuerint occupata per aliquem de suis propriis nec nodata per adversarium. Et usque intraverit illum hominem captum, non potest ludere. Notandum quod multum expedit in hoc ludo nodare punctum .g. et .f. per jactum taxilli tertii, in quo supponitur semper .vi., quod punctum .g. nodare impediet egressum adversarii sui ibidem cum .vi. Et notandum quod in puncta nodata [ubique?] potes ducere quos homines volueris ; item ubicunque inveneris hominem adversarii tui non nodatum, potes capere eum, et facere eum redire ad paginam, ubi primo stetit in initio ludi. Et eodem modo ergo ille qui sedet ex parte .r&. potest nodare quodlibet punctum in pagina .ns. et in pagina .t&. excepto puncto .&. quum occupatur per duos homines adversarii sui vel plures, et quum non est ibi nisi unicus homo, tunc capere potest eum. Et quicunque potest incipere aliquem hominem adversarii sui non nodatum in puncto, ubi terminatur numerus taxillorum suorum omnium vel singulorum, potest capere eum. Et tunc ille homo captus redibit ad paginam .fa. et intrabit cum .vi. in .f. et cum .v. in .e. et cum .iv. in .d. et cum .iii. in .c. et cum .ii. in .b. et cum .i. in .a., et hoc si illa puncta non sunt occupata per aliquem de suis propriis nec nodata per adversarium ; et usque intraverit illum hominem captum non potest ludere. Notandum quod multum expedit nodare puncta .s. et .t., propter causas quas supra dixi. Et non prius quam ille qui sedet ex parte .n&. duxerit omnes suos homines in pagina .t&., tollet eos sub ista forma : Si aliquos homines nabeat in puncto .t. illos tollet cum .vi. vel suo equivalenti, videlicet .iv. .ii.[, .iii.] .iii, .v. .i., homines autem qui sunt in puncto .u. tollentur cum .v., vel suo equivalenti, ut .iv. .i. .iii. .ii. vel cum .vi. si nulius homo fuerit in puncto .t.; homines qui sunt in puucto .x. tollentur cum .iv. vel suo equivalenti, ut .iii. .i. et .ii. .ii., vel cum .vi. et .v. si non fuerint homines in .t. nec in .u.; et sic deinceps si aliqui homines fuerint in puncto .y. tollentur cum .iii. vel suo equivalenti, ut .ii. .i., vel cum .vi., .v., .iv., si non sunt homines in .t. nec in .u. nec in .x.; et si aliqui homines fuerint in .z. tollentur cum .ii. vel cum .i. .i. vel cum .vi., .v., .iv., .iii., si non fuerint homines in .t. nec in .u. nec in .x. nec in .y.; et si aliqui homines fuerint in .&. tollentur per .i. vel per .vi., .v., .iv., .iii., .ii. si non sunt homines in .t. nec in .u. nec in .x. nec in .y. nec in .z. Eodem modo ille qui sedet ex parte .am. tollet homines suos in pagina .fa., et ille qui prior abstulerit homines suos de tabula, ille habebit victoriam. There are many games of tables with dice, the first being the long game, which is the English game and is played as follows : he who sits on .am. side has 15 pawns on .&. point, and he who sits on .n&. side has 15 pawns on .a. point. They play with three dice or with two, the third die being always a 6. He who sits on .am. side moves all his pawns placed on .&. through .&t., .sn., .mg. and into .fa. and then bears them off. He who sits on .n&. side moves all his pawns placed on .a. through .af., .gm., .ns. and into .t&. and then bears them off. And he who first bears off all his men wins. Please note that he who sits on .am. side can secure any point from .mg. and .fa. except the .a. point that is occupied by two or more opposing pawns, and when there is only one, he can hit. If an opposing pawn is isolated, he can hit it by moving with one or two dice, then the captured pawn has to return in .t&., and reenter with a 6 in .t., or with a 5 in .u., or with a 4 in .x., or with a 3 in .y, or with a 2 in .z., or with a 1 in .&., if these points are not occupied by his own pawns nor doubled by his opponent ones. And his opponent cannot play until he has reentered the captured pawn. Please note that in this game it is necessary to secure the .g. and .f. points with three dice, the third one being always a 6 ; securing the .g. point prevents the opponent from crossing the bar with a 6. Please also note that you can bring all the men you want on doubled points; from these doubled points, you can also hit the isolated, and make them return in the table where they were placed at the beginning of the game. Thus he who sits on .n&. side can secure any point in .ns. and .t&. except the .&. point that is occupied by two or more opposing men and when there will be only one, he can hit it. And, if an opposing men is isolated, then he can hit it by moving with one or two dice. And then this captured pawn returns in .fa., and reenter with a 6 in .f., with a 5 in .e., with a 4 in .d., with a 3 in .c., with a 2 in .b., with a 1 in .a., if these points are not occupied by his own pawns nor doubled by the opponent ones. And the opponent cannot play until he has not reentered the captured pawn. Please also note that in this game it is necessary to secure the .s. and .t. points, for the same reason mentioned above. And as soon as he who sits on .n&. side brings all his pawns in .t&., he bears them off as follows : if some pawns are on .t., they are born off with a 6 or an equivalent combinaison i.e 4-2, 3-3, 5-1, the points on .u. are born off with a 5 or its equivalent 4-1, 3-2, or with a 6 if there is no pawns on .t.; the points on .x. are born off with a 4 or its equivalent i.e 3-1, 2-2 or with a 6 or a 5 if there is no pawn in .t. nor in .u.; and if these pawns are in .y., they are born off with a 3 or its equivalent 2-1 or with a 6, 5 or 4 if there is no pawns in .t. nor in .u. nor in .x.; and if some pawns are in .z., there are born off with a 2 or with 1-1 or with 6, 5, 4, 3 if there is no pawn in .t. nor in .u. nor in .x. nor in .y.; and if some pawns are in .&., they are born off with a 1 or with 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 if there is no pawn in .u. nor in .x. nor in .y. nor in .z. Thus he who sits on .am. side bears his pawns in .fa., and he who bears his pawns first wins. lympoldyng victory Est et alia magna et sollemnis et magni magisterii, ut si ille qui sedit ex parte .n&. posset nodare puncta .n. .o. .p. .q. .r. ita quod punctum .s. esset apertum, et quod possit compellere adversarium suum ducere .viii. homines usque in punctum .a., et tunc facere quod habeat unum hominem in .t. et alium in .u., et alium in .x., et alium in .y., et alium in .z., et alium in .&. et septimum adhuc irreductum ; et baec victoria vocatur lympoldyng. Si autem tota pagina .[t]&. fuit occupata per adversarium [nec reliquitur?] unum ad intrandum [probably the author means if the "punctum .s." be not open; compare what follows] ubi agat [?] homines suos, non vocabitur illa victoria limpolding sed vocatur lurching. Cautela autem in hoc ludo est, ut ille qui sedet ex parte .n&. habeat ista puncta nodata .n. .o. .p. .q. .r., et quod punctum .s. sit apertum, ita quod adversarius suus possit exire cum hominibus suis usque ad paginam .mg. Et cum ibidem duxerit unum vel duos de suis, quod statim, quam primum fieri potest, nodetur punctum .s. ita quod non possit amplius exire usque omnes homines, quos duxit in pagina .mg. ponantur in puncto .a. et quod puncta .t. .v. .x. .y. .z. occupentur per adversarium. Et tunc aperietur punctum .s., ut tum possit exire cum suis hominibus in pagina .mg. et sic fiat usque .viii. homines adversarii redducantur in puncto [.a.]. Et tunc clauso puncto .s. fac adversarium implere cum suis hominibus puncta .t. .u. .x. .y. .z, et tunc remanebunt duo homines adversarii in .&. Et tunc aperiatur punctum .s., et tunc semper capias adversarium tuum in puncto .t. et ipse te recapiet per .vi., qui est semper iactus suppositus, itaque redibis ad paginam .fa. et ibi intrabis, et redibis ad paginam .ns. usque ille habeat unum iactum, per quem oportebit ipsum evacuare punctum .&. de altero hominum ibidem repertorum, ita quod tantum sit in .&. unus homo, et reliquantur puncta .t. .u. .x. .y. .z. occupata per eum, et tunc capies septimum suum hominem vagantem et tunc erit limpoldatus. Est et alius modus ludendi modo supradictus et [hoc sine ?] taxillis, ut cum uterque ludentium possit eligere iactum quem voluerit. Ille tamen, qui habet praerogativam incipiendi, ipse vincet si bonum ludat ; ipse eliget in primo suum iactum .vi. .vi. .v.; qui tunc proprium iactum eligit, adversarius suus si velit exire cum duobus hominibus ex pagina, in qua situatur in primo ludi ; in primo iactu electo podest nodare semper eum, et capere eum, et facere eum redire cum homine capto et sic perdet iactus duorum taxillorum. Est et tertius modus ludendi ut quum unus eligitur iactus duorum taxillorum, et adversarius suus dat .vi. iactum tertii taxilli, vel si utraque pars iactet suos taxillos et pars adversa dat tertium iactum. He who sits on .n&. side has a great knowledge of the game if he manages to secure .n. .o. .p. .q. .r. points, the .s. point being « opened », anf if he forces his opponent to bring up eight pawns to .a., and to have one pawn on .t., another on .u., another on .x., another on .y., another on .z., another on .&. and also a seventh pawn not reentered yet ; and this victory is called « lympoldyng ». Moreover if his opponent fills the whole .t&. table and also the .s. point, this victory is not called limpolding but lurching. He who sits on .n&. side must be careful to secure .n. .o. .p. .q. .r. points, the .s. point being opened, to allow the opponent to go into .mg. By moving one or even two of his own, he secures the .s. point and his opponent cannot cross all his pawns, which must be brought into .mg. and placed in .a. Then the .t. .v. .x. .y. .z. points are occupied by his opponent. The .s. point being opened, as his opponent can go into .mg., his opponent brings up to eight pawns in .a. Closing the .s. point forces his opponent to fill with his men the points .t. .u. .x. .y. .z, and two opposing pawns stay in .&. By releasing the .s. point, you hit the opposing pawn in .t. and he hits you again with a 6, which always is the third assumed die. You come back to .fa., .ns., until his opponent is forced to evacuate his second pawn from the .&. point, thus there is only one pawn in .&. and the remaining points .t. .u. .x. .y. .z. are occupied by one pawn, and then you hit his seventh isolated pawn and the opponen is « limpolded ». There is a method of playing without dice where dice are chosen at will. But he who has the advantage of starting wins if he plays well, he first choses 6-6-5 to make two pawns cross outside the table where they are ; at first move, he always can secure a point and hits an opposing pawn that must come back and his opponent will lose the second die. There is a third method of playing where one choses two dice and his opponent gives him 6 for the third die or, if he throws his dice, his opponent gives him a third die. Paume Carie Est et alius ludus ad tabulas qui vocatur paume carie, et sit iste ludus cum duobus taxillis et sub hac forma. Nam debent duo ludentes esse ex una parte et duo ex alia, vel tres ex una parte et posterius alii ex alia parte, et sic alterutrum. Fiat autem sors qui[bus?] habeant praerogativam incipiendi. Et utraque pars habebit .xv. homines. Ludunt autem sub hac forma. Cum iactu primo ponet unum hominem in .a. et cum .ii. ponet hominem in .h. et cum .iii. ponet hominem in .c. et cum .iv. ponit hominem in .d. et cum .v. ponet hominem in .e. et cum .vi. ponet hominem in .f. Et potest nodari quodlibet punctum ; quum tamen unus homo invenitur solus in puncto potest capi per adversarium, et tunc oportet ipsum iterato intrare ut prius. Cum intraverint homines suos in pagina .fa. statim tollent homines suos per aequales iactus, per quos eos intraverunt. Ille autem qui prior abstulerit homines suos incipiet adjuvare adversarium suum et tollet homines adversarii sui usque omnes tollantur. Et tunc quot homines habuit ab adversario suo, tunc cum tot hominibus percudet palmas adversariorum suorum, et ideo vocatur paume carie. Notandum tamen quod in isto ludo si aliquis iactavit taxillos tallter quod suit aequales, ut .vi. .vi., .v. .v., .iv. .iv., .iii. .iii., .ii. .ii., .i. .i., tam cum .vi. .vi. ponet .iv. homines in .f. et cum .v. .v. ponet .iv. homines in .e. et sic deinceps, et ultra hoc iterato iactabit. Et per eandem formam quum aufert homines suos, si iactet taxillos ita quod tactus sint aequales, cum illo iactu aufert .iv. homines si ibidem totidem reperiantur. Et quotiescunque autem homo capitur redintrabit de novo ; ille autem qui prior abstulerit homines suos ipse vincet, sive capiat homines ab adversario suo, sivo non. Ille autem qui ultimum homines abstulerit, ipse incipiet iactare in proximo ludo. Est etiam alius modus ludendi in hoc ludo ; quum, ut praedictum est, intrabunt in pagina .fa. et prius ducent homines suos per paginas .mg. .ns. usque ad paginam .t&. et ibi eos tollent, ut praedictum est. Notandum tamen, quod in hoc ludo potest quodlibet punctum nodari. Sic cum aliquis homo venerit in paginam .t&. non potest amoveri de loco usque tollatur. Et si aliquis homo capiatur ubicunque fucrit oportet primum redire ad paginam .fa. et ibi intrare ut prius, et post redduci ad paginam .ta[?]. et ibi tolli. There is another game of tables called Paume Carie, that is played with two dice and requires four players, that is, two on either side ; or three opposed to one. He who has the advantage of starting is drawn. Each player has 15 pawns and plays as follows. At the beginning, with a 1 one puts a pawn on .a., with a 2 on .h., with a 3 on .c., with a 4 on .d., with a 5 on .e. and with a 6 on .f. And one can secure any point ; however a pawn that is isolated can be hit by the opponent, and must re-enter. When the pawns are re-entered in .fa., they are immediately born off with the same dice that allowed them to enter. In addition he who is the first to bear off, bears off the opposing pawns until he bears them all. And then he holds the opponent pawns, then as he holds them in the hand, that is why this game is called paume carie. Please note that in this game if the dice are the same, i.e 6-6, 5-5, 4-4, 3-3, 2-2, 1-1 then with 6-6 one puts 4 pawns on .f. and with 5-5 one puts 4 pawns on .e. and so on. And in the same way, one bears off his pawns, if he rolls the same dice, then he bears off 4 pawns. Ans any hi pawn must be re-introduced again ; in addition the first to bear his pawn wins or capture the opposing pawns, if not no. In addition he who is the last to bear off his pawns starts the next game. There is also another method of playing in this game : like previously, one enters his pawns in .fa. and then bring his pawns in .mg. .ns. to .t&. from which he bears them off like noticed before. However please note that in this game, we can secure any point. If a pawn comes to .t&., it cannot be moved away from this location until it is born off. And if a pawn is hit, it must come back in .fa., brought to .t&. and then born off. Ludus Lumbardorum Est et alius ludus qui vocatur Ludus Lumbardorum, et est talis naturae. Ille qui sedet ex parte .n&. habebit familiam suam in .f., et qui sedit ex parte .am. habebit familiam in .t. Tunc ille qui sedit ex parte .n&. ducet omnes suos homines existentes in .f. per puncta .e. .d. .c. .b. .a. in pagina .t&. et ibi eos tollet. Cum omnes ibidem fuerint ducet, [?] et erit .&. primum punctum in ablatione, et auferat omnes homines ibidem existentes per .vi. ; sic qui sunt in .z. auferentur per .v. et .vi. [thus only, if no man is in .&. ; compare the rules of ludus Anglicorum] et sic deinceps. Et si capiatur aliquis homo suus, tunc redibit intrando in paginam .fa. et redcat ad paginam .&t. ; et notandum quod intrare non potest in .f. cum fuerit occupatum per proprios homines, nec in aliquo puncto nodato per adversarium. In punctis tamen .e. et .a. intrare potest, licet sunt occupata per proprios homines, ideo multum expedit illa puncta nodare, ut habeatur introitus si necesse fuerit. Item saepe expedit nodare puncta .o[?]. et .u., ut impediatur introitus adversarii. Et sic eodem modo faciet adversarius suus in punctis contra se positis. Victoria autem est communis, vidilicet ut qui prior homines suos abstulerit ipse vincet. Et fiet iactus cum duobus taxillis tantum et non pluribus. There is another game of tables called the Lombard game, and is played as follows : he who sits on .n&. side has his pawns on .f., and his opponent who sits on .am. has his pawns on .t. Then he who sits on .n&. side brings his pawns placed on .f. to .e. .d. .c. .b. .a. points and then to .t&. and bears them off. When all the pawns are brought, he bears at first the pawns on .&. with a 6 ; then the one on .z. with a 5 or a 6 if there is no pawn on .&. (see the Ludus Anglicorum rules) and so on. And if a pawn is captured then it comes back from .fa. and goes to .&t. ; please note that he cannot re-enter in .f. if this points is still occupied by by his own pawns or if its is doubled by the opponent. However he can re-enter in .e. and .a. even if they are occupied by his own pawns, thus it is useful to secure the points to re-enter easilier if necessary. Also on should secure points .&. and .u. to prevent the opponent from re-enter. And the opponent does the same. The vitory is classic : when a player is the first to bear off. This game is played with two dice and no more. Imperial Est et alius ludus qui vocatur imperial et est talis naturae. Ille qui sedit ex parte .n&. habebit tertiam partem farniliae suae, sive .v. in .p. et aliam tertiam in .s. et aliam tertiam in .t. Et qui sedet ex parte .am. habebit eodem modo familiam suam in .k. .g. .f. Et si pars .n&. cum familia tota citius venit ad punctum .&. quam adversarius ad punctum .a. ipse vincit, si aliter, vincitur. Et fiet iactus cum tribus taxillis. There is another game of tables called Imperial, and is played as follows. He who sits on .n&. side has his pawns on three piles, i.e five on .p., the other third on .s. and the other third on .t. And he who sits on .am. side has in the same way his pawns on .k. .g. .f. And he who sits on .n&. side brings all his pawns on .&. then he wins. And his opponent wons if he brings them on .a. And this game is played with three dice. Provincial Est et alius ludus qui vocatur p[ro]vincial et tantum variatur ab imperial in situatione hominum, quam in hoc ludo omnes homines ex una parte situantur in punctis .gf. There is another game of tables called Provincial similar to Imperial except the starting position where all the pawns are on .g. and .f. Baralie Est et alius ludus qui vocatur baralie, et est talis naturae. Ille qui sedit ex parte .am. si ultimo fuerit lucratus ludum, vel habeat paerogativam iactus taxillorum ponet omnes suos homines in puncto .&. Et ducentur omnes homines utriusque partis per .af. usque ad paginam .gm. et in illa pagina tollentur. Et qui prior abstulerit ille vincet. Et si aliquis homo hinc inde capientur fiat introitus in pagina .ns. et ducatur per paginam .t&. et .af. ad paginam .gm. Et notandum quod in qualibet pagina potest fieri nodus. Et sit iactus cum duobus taxillis, et subintelligitur numerus .vi. pro tertio taxillo. Si autem pars .n&. vincit, tunc ponet homines suos in puncto .b. excepto uno qui erit in .c.; et pars alia omnes in puncto .a. et ducentur omnes homines usque ad pagiuam .ns. et ibi auferentur, ut prius fiebat in pagina .mg., et in illa pagina fiat introitus si aliquis homo capiatur, et ducautur per .fa. .&t. usque ad paginam .sn. There is another game of tables called baralie, and is played as follows. He who sits on .am. side, if he won the previous game, or if he has the advantage of dice, puts all his pawns on .&. And the other brings all his pawns through .af. to .gm. from which he bears his pawns. And he who is the fors to bear his pawns wins. And if a pawns is hit, it mus come back through .ns. and be brought through .t&. and .af. and then .gm. Please note that it is possible to secure any point. And this game is played with two dice, the third die is supposed to be a 6. Moreover if it is the one who sits on .n&. side who won the previous game, then he [on .am. side] puts his pawns on .b. except one on .c. ; and his opponent puts his on .a. ans brings them to .ns. from which he bears them off. A hit pawn is re-introduced in .mg. and brought through .fa. .&t. to .sn. Faylys Est et alius ludus qui vocatur faylys, et est talis naturae. Ille qui sedit ex parte .n&. habebit totam familiam suam in .t. exceptis duobus, qui erunt in .a.; et qui sedet ex parte .am. habebit totam familiam suam in .f. exceptis duobus, qui erunt in .&. Et ludunt cum tribus taxillis, si tot habeant, si autem tantum habeant duos, tunc dupl[ic]abitur taxillus minoris numeri. Et tunc ille qui sedit ex parte .n&. ducet duos suos homines in .a. usque ad .t. Et primum [in] consuetum modum omnes tollet. Et nodet omnia puncta in pagina .t&. si velit. Et si capiatur aliquis homo suus redibit ad paginam .fa. et ibi intrabit et redibit ; et intrare potest in quolibet puncto, etiam si fuerit occupatum alio vel aliis suis hominibus : in puncto tamen nodato per adversarium non potest intrare. Eodem modo potest ille facere ex parte adversa, et faciet cum eodem modo. Victoria autem talis est. Qui prior abstulerit familiam propriam, vincent ; vel si adversarius suus aliqua vice habeat talem iactum qui ludi non potest in toto, tunc subito ille vincitur qui talem iactum habuit, et ideo vocatur faylis. There is another game of tables called faylys, and played as follows. He who sits on .n&. side has all his pawns on .t. except two that are on .a. ; and he who sits on .am. side has all his pawns on .f. except two that are on .&. This game is played with three dice or two by doubling the lower die. And then he who sits on .n&. side brings his two pawns placed on .a. to .t. And as usual, one must be the first to bear off all his pawns. And if he wants he doubles all the points from .t&. And any hit pawn comes back from .fa. and can re-enter on any point occupied by one or many of his points : however he cannot re-enter on a point doubled by his opponent. The opponent does the same. The victory is as follows : he who is the first to bear off his pawns wins ; or if the opponent rolls a throw taht he cannot entirely play, then he loses, and that is why it is called faylis. Mylis Est et alius ludus qui vocatur [mylis, a word now illegible or erased, but thus given by Strutt early in the XIXth century] cujus naturae talis est. Unus eorum habebit duos homines in .k. et .iv. in .f. et .iv. in .e. et .v. in .&., et ille habebit praerogativam taxillorum. Et fiet iactus cum duobus taxillis et praesupponentur .vi. pro tertio taxillo. Alia pars habebit .iii. homines in .g. et .iii. in .d. et .iii. in .c. et .iii. in .b. et .iii. in a. Et omnes homines utriusque partis ducentur ad paginam .mg. et ibi auferentur. Et qui prior abstulerit suos ipse vincet. Et si aliquis homo hinc inde capiatur fiet iutroitus in pagina .ns. et ducentur per paginam .t&. et .af. usque ad paginam .mg. et ibi auferentur cum tempus fuerit opportunum. There is another game of table called Mylis, which is played as follows. One has two pawns on .k., four on .f., four on .e. and five on .&., and has the advantage of dice. This game is played with two dice supposing the third one is a 6. The other player has three pawns on .g., three on .d., three on .c., three on .b. and three on a. And all the pawns of each are brought through .mg. and then born off. And the first one who bears his pawns wins. And the hist pawn is reintroduced in .ns. and brought through .t&. then .af. to .mg. and born off at right time. Problem 1 Sunt et in lusu tabularum quae cautelae sunt propriae, quorum primae est ex ludo anglicorum, et sit sub taxillis, quuio una pars habebit supremum iactum .vi. .vi. .vi. et habebit praerogativam incipiendi, altera autem pars habebit supremum iactum .ii. .i. .i.; ille tamen qui habet iactum .ii. .i. .i. ille vincet si bonum ludat ; quia cum luserint omnes potest habere duos homines in puncto .k[r?]. si sederit ex parte .n&. vel duos in puncto .h. si sederit ex parte .am.; et tunc in proximo lusu cum .i. .i. potest nodare punctum .s. vel .g. itaque pars adversa non poterit exire, et tunc faciliter potest vincere si sciat ludere ; vel si possit capere unum hominem de adversario suo faciliter potest vincere, quod ille homo captus numquam potest redduci in paginam, ubi debet tolli, usque alius abstulerit onmes suos homines exceptis duobus qui stabant in puncto ubi ille debet intrare suum captum. Cautions are specific to each game of tables, the first of theses being the English game, and are related to dice. One plays 6-6-6 and has the advantage of starting. The other plays 2-1-1. However he who has the thow 2-1-1 can win if he plays well ; because by playing them all he can move two pawns on .r. if he sits on .n&. side or two on .h. if he sits on .am. side ; and then at next move with 1-1 he can secure the .s. or .g. move to prevent his opponent from crossing the bar, and then he can win if he plays well ; of, oif he can hit an opposing pawn, he can win because the hit pawn will not be able to re-enter until all his pawns are brought into the board where they can be born off except two pawns that must stay to prevent the other to re-enter his hit pawn. Problem 2 Est et alia impertia [jupertia] in lusu tabularum ; nam ille qui sedet ex parte .n&. habebit duos homines in puncto .t. et alios duos in .u. et ille qui sedet ex parte .am. habebit unum hominem in .&., quem debet ducere per paginam .t&. .sn. .mg. et auferre in pagina .fa. et erit semper iactus suus .iv. .iv. .iv.; ille autem qui sedet ex parte .n&. tollet suos quatuor homines in pagina ubi stant primum in communem modum, et erit semper iactus suus .iii.; ille autem vincet si sciat ludere, quod cum .i. .i. .i. unum de suis quos habet in .t. ponet in .y. et in secundo iactu capiet hominem, qui est in .&., et hoc cum .i. .i., et cum tertio .i. ponet in .x. alterum duorum qui sunt in .u. Et tunc ille qui est ex parte .am. intrabit hominem suum cum .iv. .iv. .iv. et ponet eum in .n. et tunc ille qui sedet ex parte .n. [&], hominem suum captum in puncto .x. intrabit in puncto .a. cum .i. et cum .ii. ponet hominem suum in .x. qui prius fuit in .t. Et tunc pars adversa cum .iv. .iv. .iv. iterum capiet hominem alterius in puncto .a. et tunc iterate ille qui sedet ex parte .n&. intrabit hominem suum, et cum .ii. ducet eum in puncto .b. et cum tertio .i. nodabit punctum .x. itaque pars adversa non poterit intrare. Et tunc cum septies .i. .i. .i. ducet hominem qui est in .b. usque ad punctum .z. Et tunc in octavo lusu tollet duos homines qui sunt in .z., et in .&. et postea cum tribus vicibus tollet illos homines qui sunt in .y. et adhuc remanebit homo partis adversae in .a.; itaque vincetur. Et sciat quod alio modo quam ut praedictum est non potest fieri victoria. Here is another problem of game of tables : He who sits on .n&. side has two pawns on .t. and also two on .u. and he who sits on .am. side has one pawn on .&., that must be brought through .t&. .sn. .mg. and then born off from .fa. and his dice are always 4-4-4. He who sits on .n&. side must bear his four pawns from where they already are, his dice are 1-1-1 at every throw and wins if he plays : with 1-1-1 he puts on .y. one of his pawns placed in .t. and [because the other player cannot play] for second move hits the pawn on .&. with 1-1, and with the third 1 puts on .x. one the two pawns on .u. And then he who sits on .am. side enters his pawn with 4-4-4 by hitting one pawn on .x. and puts on .n. he who sits on .n&. side, enters on .a. with a 1 and with 1-1 puts on .x. his pawn previously on .t. And then his opponent with 4-4-4 hits agains the pawn on .a. and then he who sits on .n&. side with 1-1 enters his pawn and brings a pawn on .b. and with the third 1 secures the .x. point and the other player cannot enter. And then with seven times 1-1-1 brings his pawn that is on .b. to the .z. point. And then with the eighth move bears off the two pawn that are on .z., and on .&. and in three moves bears off his pawns that are on .x. before his opponent bears off ; and thus wins. Please note that another way of playing cannot wins. Problem 3 Est et alia impertia [jupertia] similis priori, ut si ponantur .iii. homines in .t. ex una parte, et ex parte alia erit unus homo in .x. qui habebit iactum ut prius .iv. .iv. .iv. et alius habebit iactum .i. .i. .i. Ille autem qui habet homines suos in .t. habebit praerogativam incipiendi. Et cum .i. .i. capiet hominem adversarii sui in .x. et cum tertio .i. ponet hominem in .u. Et tunc adversarius in .n. Et tunc ille qui sedet ex parte .n&. intrabit hominem suum in .a. cum uno .i. et cum .i. .i. ponet hominem suum in .x. qui prius fuit in .t. Et tunc ille qui sedit ex parte .ma. iterum capiet aliura in .a.; et tunc ille intrabit in .a. capieus adversarium suum, poneus illum hominem cum .i. i.. in puncto .b. et tunc cum tertio .i. nodabit punctum .x., itaque pars adversa non poterit intrare. Et tunc lucrabitur ludum ut supra in proxima impertia [jupertia]. Here is another problem similar to the previous one : one puts three pawns on .t. and plays 1-1-1 and the other one pawn on .x. and plays 4-4-4 at first move. Moreover he who has some pawns on .t. has the advantage of starting and with 1-1 hits the opposing pawn on .x. and with the third 1 puts one pawn on .u. And then the opponent come back [by hitting on .x. and by going] to .n. And then he who sits on .n&. side enter his pawn on .a. with a 1 and with 1-1 puts on .x. the pawn that was on .t. at the beginning. And then he who sits on .ma. side hits agains on .a.. With 1-1 his opponent enters again by hitting on .a. and by going on .b. and then with the third 1 secures the .x. point, thus the opponent cannot enter. And then he wins like in the previous problem. Problem 4 Est et alia impertia [jupertia], ut si tu qui sedes ex parte .n&. habeas unum hominem in .n. et .u. in puncto .t. et septimum in puncto .&. et in pagina .t&. tolles homines tuos, et habebis praerogativam incipiendi ; ille autem, qui sedet ex parte .ma. habebit tres homines in puncto .f. et in pagina .fa. eos tollet, et ambae partes habebunt aequales iactus; magisterium autem est tales imaginari iactus ; magisterium autem est tales imaginari iactus per quos poteris ludum lucrari. Et fiet sub hac forma : primus iactus erit .iv. .iv. .iv. et secundus iactus .vi. .vi. .i. et tertius .vi. .vi. .vi. Here is another problem : you are on .n&. side and you have one pawn on .n., five on .t. and a seventh on .&. and bear off your pawns in .t&., and you have the advantage of starting. He who sits on .ma. side has three pawns in .f. and bear them off in .fa., and both have the same dice. By choosing dice you can win. You should play at first move 4-4-4, at second move 6-6-1 and at third move 6-6-6. Problem 5 Est et alia impertia [jupertia], similis priori, ut si tu qui sedes ex parte .n&. habeas unum hominem in .n. et .v. in puncto .t. et ille qui sedet ex parte .am. habebit .iii. homines in puncto .f. qui debet tollere homines tuos in pagina .t&. habebisque praerogativam incipiendi. Et ambo vos habebis aequales iactus, magisterium autem est tales imaginari iactus per quos potes ludum lucrari, sub isto tamen pacto, quod nullum hominem tolles in primo iactu. Fiet autem sub hac forma. Primus iactus erit .iv. .iv. .iii., secundus iactus erit .vi. .vi. .i. et tertius iactus erit .vi. .vi. .vi. Here is another problem similar to the previous one : you are on .n&. side and you have one pawn on .n. and five on .t. that you must born off from .t&. and uou have the advantage of starting. He who sits on .am. side has three pawns on .f. You play both with the same dice, that you choose to win, agreeing upon not bearing off at first move. You should play at first move 4-4-3, at second move 6-6-1 and at third move 6-6-6. Problem 6 Est et alia impertia [jupertia], ut si tu sedeas ex parte .no. habens tres homines in .b. .c. .d. quos debes ducere per paginas .mg. et .ns. et tollere eos in pagina .t&.; ille autem qui sedit ex parte .ma. habebit unum hominem in .n. quem debet ducere ad paginam .fa. et ibi tollere, et erit iactus suus semper .iii. i., sed iactus tuus semper erit .vi. .vi. et tu habebis praerogativam incipiendi ; vel alia de hoc non est cura ; si autem velis lucrari ludum oportet te capere eum et ita ludere, ut ipse te non capiat. Here is another problem : you are on .n&. side and you have three pawns on .b. .c. .d. that must be brought through .mg. and .ns. and then born off in .t&. He who sits on .ma. side has a pawn in .n. that must be brought through .fa. and born off. His dice are always 3-1 and yours always 6-6 and you have the advantage of starting. It is not enough : to win you have to hit and not be hit.

De pæna Ludentium ad ludum Azardi, sive Taxillorum, vel alias prohibitumConcerning the penalty for those playing at the game of hazard, or dice, or other prohibited games.AD ludum Azardi, vel Taxillorum, vel ad ludum tabularum, five alearum, vel ad ludum pistarum, five lapidum, vel cimorum laqueat ... vel pilorum, vel virghentarum, vel ad alium ludum, in quo denarii, vel res aliæ perderentur, vel vincerentur præter infrascriptos casus exceptuatos ludens faciens, five jocans in centum sol. den. pro quolibet, & vice qualibet puniatur. Tenens autem, aut receptans, aut patiens ludi, vel ludum fieri, aut lusores ad ludendum ad aliquem de prædictis ludis in domo rehabitatione, vel Possessione propria, vel conducta qualibet vice in duplum prædictæ quantitatis, & pænæ puniatur nisi talis in Cive loco aliquo prædictorum committerentur notificaverit nostro Potestati, vel ejus officialibus statim, & ... fit expeditus, quo casu non teneatur ad pænam. Præstans vero ad aliquem ludum de prædictis aliquem denarium, vel monetam, aut pecuniam aliquam, vel aliquod pignus puniatur pro quolibet, & qualibet vice in XX. sol. den., & quod præstaverit, perdat omnino, nec super hiis audiatur in jure Tabulerium lumen taxillos, vel aliquod simile ad aliquid prædictorum mutuans comodans, vel etiam dans per se, vel alium in XX. sol. den. pro quolibet, & vice qualibet puniatur. Excipimus a prædictis pænis omnes, & singulas personas, quæ prædicta, vel aliquid prædictorum commiserit in vigilia Nativitatis D. N. Jesu Christi cum tribus diebus sequentibus, in quibus Potestas, feu Vicarius possit, & valeat concedere licentiam generalem ludendi, & prædicta faciendi. Item excipimus omnino ludum scaccorum, qui ex ingenio, & non ex fortuna dependet ; Item ludum tabularum de totis tabulis similiter excipimus, in quibus licite ludi præstari, & receptari possit nulla prædictarum pænarum obstante, præterque in taberna, vel in aliquo ubi vinum venderetur, in quo sine aliqua exceptione ex prædictis omnia, & singula, & quodlibet prædictorum fieri, vel committi prohibemus expresse sub pænis prædictis volumus, & quod de prædictis, & quidlibet prædictorum, quibus possit accusare, denuntiare, & referre, & si voluerit, teneatur ejus nomen secretum, & si luxerit, vel aliquid comiserit ad ipsum ludum notificatum non teneat ad aliquam pænam, siquidem retulerit, vel notificarit eadem die, & solus ... ad notitiam regiminis aliter venerit, & de talibus delictis, & quolibet eorum stetur, & credatur juramento, & dicto referentis cum uno teste fide digno, & bonæ famæ, & etiam libere credatur, & stetur inventioni, & relationi cujuslibet officialis birrurij vel familiaris, & omnes, & singulæ dictæ pænæ solvant, & exigantur de facto sine omni processu, & solemnitate juris.Whoever plays or gambles at the game of hazard, or dice, or at the game of tables, or at games of chance, or at games of "pistaræ" (dice games), or stones, or "cimorum" (a game of skill), or of balls, or of "virghentarum," or at any other game in which money or other things may be lost or won, except for the cases noted below, shall be punished for each and every instance by a fine of 100 solidi denarii.Furthermore, anyone who hosts, receives, or allows such games to be played, or allows players to play any of the aforementioned games in their home, residence, or property—whether owned or rented—shall be punished for each instance by double the aforementioned amount and penalty, unless such a person immediately notifies our Potestà (governor) or his officials that such acts were committed in their location, in which case they shall not be held liable for the penalty.Anyone who lends or provides any money, currency, or any pledge for any of the aforementioned games shall be punished for each and every instance by a fine of 20 solidi denarii, and shall completely forfeit what they lent, with no legal hearing granted to them regarding this. Anyone who lends or provides—personally or through another—gaming boards, dice, or anything similar for any of the aforementioned purposes, shall be punished by a fine of 20 solidi denarii for each and every instance.We except from the aforementioned penalties all and every person who commits the aforementioned acts on the eve of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the three following days, during which the Potestà or his Vicar may grant a general license to play and engage in the aforementioned acts.Likewise, we entirely except the game of chess, which depends on skill and not on fortune. We also except the game of Totae Tabulae, in which it is permitted to play, lend, and receive, notwithstanding any of the aforementioned penalties, except in a tavern or any place where wine is sold; in such places, we expressly prohibit all and singular of the aforementioned acts under the aforementioned penalties.We also decree that any person may accuse, denounce, and report any of the aforementioned acts, and if they so wish, their name shall be kept secret. If someone has participated or committed an offense at a game that has already been reported, they shall not be held to any penalty provided they report it on the same day, before it otherwise comes to the notice of the authorities.Regarding such crimes and each of them, the oath and testimony of the informant, supported by one witness worthy of faith and good reputation, shall be believed. Furthermore, full credence shall be given to the discovery and report of any official, officer, or member of the household, and all and singular of the said penalties shall be paid and exacted de facto (immediately), without any legal process or formality.

Hire freendes sawe that it was no disport To romen by the see, but disconfort,  And shopen for to pleyen somwher elles. They leden hire by ryveres and by welles, And eek in othere places delitables; They dauncen and they pleyen at ches and tables. Her friends saw that it was no pleasure To roam by the sea, but discomfort, And decide to amuse themselves somewhere else.  They lead her by rivers and by springs, And also in other delightful places;  They dance and they play at chess and tables.

The Municipal Archive of Daroca, Statutes Book, reveals (ff. 32v.-33r.) that the city of Daroca, Zaragoza province, Aragon, Spain, banned all games except chess, cards and todas tablas in 1414.1414.08.24. Viernes. Daroca. Casas del Concejo.El Concejo de Daroca prohíbe a vecinos y extraños jugar en la ciudad a cualquier juego permitiéndose tan sólo las tablas, la ballesta y los escaques.STATUTO CONTRA LOS JUGADORESSepan todos que anno a Nativitate Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quarto decimo, es a saber dia viernes que se contavan vintiquatro dias del mes de agosto, en la ciudat de Daroca, pregonado e ajustado el concello de la dita ciudat a son de trompeta e por voz, si quiere clamamiento, de Simon de la Foz, nuncio et pregonero publico del concello et universidat de la dita ciudat, en las casas comunes et universales de la dicha ciudat do et segunt que otras vegadas es costumbrado pregonar et ajustarse el concello et universidat de la dita ciudat; en el qual concello fueron personalment constituydos los honrados e discretos don Pedro Ram, justicia, Johan de Arboreda, juez, Jayme Soler, Francisco Lopez Ruet, Lazaro Lançuela, Nicolas Romeo, Jayme Gascon, menor de dias, Nicolas del Villar, jurados; Luys de Torralba, Pascual de Retascon mayor de dias, regidores; don Goncalvo Gomez de Mengucho, don Anton Lopez de Vistabella, don Blas Martinez de Bello, Domingo Donat, Jayme Mofort, Bernat Pallares, Vicent Trilles, Joan Sanchez Aznar, Diago Martinez de Molina, Joan Ximenez de Azuara, Miguel Sancho, Francisco de Aynsa, Domingo Peyro et Anton Garcon, ciudadanos et vezinos de la dita ciudat, et todo el concello de la dita ciudat, clamado et plegado segunt dito es, todos concordablement et alguno non contradizient ni discrepant.Atendientes et considerantes que en los tiempos passados muchos et diversos vezinos et habitadores de la dita ciudat et otras personas se echavan a oficio de tafureria et jugavan por los tableros et no usavan de sus officios, por las quales cosas se ende seguian scandalos, muertes et otros muchos incovenientes et muchos fijos de buenos hombres se fazian tacanyos. Et aquesto era muy grant deservicio de Nuestro Senyor Dios et grant dampnage de la cosa publica de la dita ciudat.Por aquesto, querientes a las sobreditas cosas remediar, statuyeron et ordenaron a todos tiempos que personas algunas de qualquiere ley, stado, condicion, dignidat e preheminencia sean, non sean usadas de aqui abant de jugar en la dita ciudat et sus terminos de dia ni de noche, ocultament ni paladina a juego alguno, exceptado a juego de todas tablas, ballesta et escaques. Empero porque muchas et diversas personas queriendo fazer frau a la ley se han sforçado et sfuercan, segunt speriencia manifiesta lo ha demostrado et demuestra, de cada dia de receptarse en algunas casas, en lugares, cambras secretas de aquellas, por tal que non se pueda haver sentimiento del juego de aquellos, et se esfuercan jugar a grezescas et otros juegos illicitos e dampnados, et lo que peor es, meter fraudulosament tablas por tal de encobrir et de posar velamen a lur acto illicito dampnado, et en caso do por los officiales et otros qualesquiere son en el juego de prehensos et trobados se esfuerçan et han sforçado dezir «Catat aqui taulas, et a taulas jugamos, et no a otro juego vedado». Et assin en aquestas maneras fraudulosas et otras se han forcado et segunt dito es se esfuerçan de defraudar la ley stant en ordinacion de la dita ciudat.Por aquesto, statuyeron et ordenaron a todos tiempos que persona alguna que jugara o sera trobada jugar a juego alguno exceptado a los juegos sobreditos o en lugar apartado de casa alguna, tal que pueda seyer havido por suspecto, sguardado a los que juegan et en el lugar o casa do juegan, que en este caso encorra et sea encorrida en pena, si quiere calonia, de sixanta sueldos dineros jaqueses por cada una vegada que jugara e trobada yde sera; de la qual pena sea la tercera part de los jurados de la dita ciudat qui agora son et por tiempo seran de la dita ciudat; et la otra tercera part de la obra de los muros de la dita ciudat, et en la otra tercera et ultima part del acusant levaderos sin remedio alguno. Et si la dita pena pagar non podra, que jaga sixanta dias continuos en la carcel de la dita ciudat sin remedio alguno.De las quales cosas, todas et cadaunas sobreditas, los ditos justicia, juez, jurados, oficiales et prohomens del dito concello et universidat de la dita ciudat quisieron por mi Nicolas del Villar, scrivano de la dita ciudat et infrascripto, de aquestas cosas sobreditas seyerles ende fecha carta publica.Presentes testimonios fueron a las sobreditas cosas los discretos Guiralt de Villaroya et Loys Mateho de Montalban, notarios ciudadanos de la dita ciudat.Sig(signo)no de mi Nicolas del Villar, vezino de la ciudat de Daroca, por auctoridat del sennor Rey notario publico por todo el regno de Aragon et de la ciudat de Daroca, qui a las sobreditas cosas present fu et aquesto screvi. Consta de letras sobrepuestas en la XXX e XXXVI lineas de la prima plana de la present pieca do se lie 'por los', 'o caso'. Et cerre.Friday August 24th 1414. Daroca. City Council.The City Council of Daroca bans neighbors and foreigners from playing games in the city except tables, ballesta [a card game] and chess.STATUTE AGAINST PLAYERSYou all have to know that in the Year of Our Lord 1414, Friday August 24, in the city of Daroca, the Council of the said city made public this statute by sounding the trumpet and by Simon de la Foz's voice, nonce and town crier of the said City Council and University, in public places of the said city as is customary. This Council was constituted with honest and sensible don Pedro Ram, magistrate, Johan de Arboreda, judge, Jayme Soler, Francisco Lopez Ruet, Lazaro Lançuela, Nicolas Romeo, Jayme Gascon, underage, Nicolas del Villar, jurors, Luys de Torralba, Pascual de Retascon adult, aldermen, don Goncalvo Gomez de Mengucho, don Anton Lopez de Vistabella, don Blas Martinez de Bello, Domingo Donat, Jayme Mofort, Bernat Pallares, Vicent Trilles, Joan Sanchez Aznar, Diago Martinez de Molina, Joan Ximenez de Azuara, Miguel Sancho, Francisco de Aynsa, Domingo Peyro et Anton Garcon, citizens and neighbors of the city, and the whole Council of the said city, and unanimously proclaimed without contradiction nor disagreement.This because, during the past, many neighbors and residents of the city and others have created gaming-houses and played board games instead of working, and thus they caused scandals, deaths and many other downsides and they led many gentlemen to poverty. And this was a very great remoteness from our Lord and a great damage to the public affairs of the city.For that, in order to address the things above, we decide and order that anyone whatever his position, his condition, his dignity and preeminence, must not play any game downtown, day or night, hidden or openly, except the game of todas tablas, the ballesta and chess. This because many people still break the law, as the manifest experience demonstated it and still demonstrates it, by being received each day in some houses, some places, some secret rooms of those, as far as they are informed of the played games, and played "at greek" and other illicit and harmful games, and, what is worse, fraudulently introduced tables by hiding them under a cloth, what is an illicit and harmful act, and in this case still saying to officials and other people who surprised him playing: “Here are tables, and we play at tables and no other prohibited game”. And those who did these fraudulent things and other ones, broke the law of the city.For that, we decide and order that anyone who will play or will be seen playing any game except the games quoted above or in a isolated place, and thus who can be under suspicion, with players, in this case he will be under penalty (a fine) of 60 pennies (60 sueldos dineros jaqueses) each time he is seen playing. A third of the fine will be given to the jurors of the city, a third to the work of the city walls and a third to the informers. And if he cannot pay the fine, he will be kept in jail for 60 days in a row without remedy.The magistrate, the judge, the jurors, the officials and authorities of the Council and University of the City wanted to sign this public letter through me, the undersigned Nicolas del Villar, writer of the city.In the presence of witnesses, the sensible Guiralt de Villaroya and Loys Mateho de Montalban, notaries and citizens of the city.Signed Nicolas del Villar, neighbor of the City of Daroca, public notary of Aragon and of City of Daroca by the authority of the King, who wrote the things above. Errata: for lines 30 er 36 of the 1st page, please read "por los", "a caso". THE END.

Charles d'Orléans was fond of Backgammon. He owned a copycat of Bonus Socius (BNF Ms latin 10286) and wrote a poem about this game. Balade Au court jeu de tables jouer, Amour me fait moult longuement, Car tousjours me charge garder Le point d'actente seulement ; En me disant que vrayement Se ce point lye scay tenir, Qu'au derrain je doy, sans mentir, Gaaingnier le jeu entierement. Je suy pris, et ne puis entrer Ou point que desire souvent ; Dieu me doint une fois gecter Chance qui soit aucunement A mon propos, car autrement Mon cueur sera pis que martir, Se ne puis, aninsi qu'ay desir, Gaaingnier le jeu entierement. Fortune fait souvent tourner Les dez contre moy mallement ; Mais Espoir, mon bon conseillier, M'a dit et promis seurement, Que Loyaulté prochainement Fera Boneur vers moy venir Qui me fera, à mon plaisir, Gaaingnier le jeu entierement. L'ENVOY. Je vous supply tres humblement, Amour, aprenez moy comment J'asserray les dez sans faillir ; Par quoi puisse, sans plus languir, Gaaingnier le jeu entierement. At the short game of tablis forto play Loue hath me long had in his gouernaunce And evyr this he chargid me alway Myn entir-poynt to kepe hit in substaunce And hath me sayd if so y haue puysshaunce To kepe [t]his poynt that then withouten were That at the last y shulde even verry clere Wynne the game withouten more dowtaunce But take am y and y not entre may The poynt y wolde the more is my grevaunce But Jhesu graunt me (loo, wat may y say?) That y may onys attayne sum happe chaunce To my purpos, forwhi ellis of penaunce Shalle y haue more then evir had martere Without so be y may to my desere Wynne the game withouten more dowtaunce. Fortune doth turne the dise so, welaway! That weele and woo me wayfith in balaunce But what good hope he saith me thus mafay In whom y haue a fulle gret affyaunce How that my trouthe shalle gete me suffisaunce Of happy cast vnto myn owen plesere But as for that yet am y neuyr the nere To wynne the game withouten more dowtaunce. O helpe me loue that sest myn atturbaunce I the requere with humbille obeyshaunce Sum praty moyan that thou wolt me lere How that y myght avoyde this iupart here To wynne the game withouten more dowtaunce.