In the 12th and 13th centuries, physical activities in Europe were often associated with the nobility and clergy, the classes with the most leisure time. However, sports and games were not exclusive to these elite groups. The working class also found time for recreation, engaging in a variety of rough, physical games. One of the most chaotic and intriguing was la soule à la crosse, a medieval sport that could be seen as an early, unruly form of hockey.
What Is La Soule à la Crosse?
Imagine a scene in a medieval village: dust swirling, shouts echoing as men of all ages swing their crude sticks, chasing a ball across fields and through streets. The players, sweating and panting, dart between crowds as their neighbours cheer them on or jeer from the sidelines. At any moment, a hit too hard or a trip too well-timed could send someone sprawling, yet the game rages on.
La soule à la crosse was a medieval game where players used a stick to move a ball—or anything that could serve as a ball—toward a designated goal area. The game first appeared in French records between 1174 and 1177. It typically involved two teams—townsmen versus countrymen, married men against bachelors, or peasants competing with merchants. The ball could be made from wood, a pig’s bladder filled with air, straw, bran, or other materials. Goals were marked by various landmarks such as a church porch, a tree, or a hole in the ground.
While modern sports follow strict rules, la soule à la crosse was far more flexible. The main objective was to get the ball to the goal using a stick, but the absence of detailed rules allowed different communities to adapt the game to their preferences. This lack of standardisation made the game accessible to nearly everyone, encouraging variations based on local skills like speed, strength, or strategy. Its basic format suggests it was a kind of “proto-hockey,” a predecessor to more regulated games of today.
Who Played La Soule à la Crosse
People from all walks of life played la soule à la crosse. Adults and children from both urban and rural areas participated in this physical sport. We even know of a priest who played the game in the mid-13th century because his archbishop reprimanded him for joining his parishioners on the field.
The game was likely played by both lower-class individuals and some members of the lower nobility. However, it appears that only men participated. Despite its rough nature, excessive violence wasn’t the norm; there was an understanding that overly brutal behaviour wasn’t acceptable. Players adhered to an unwritten code of conduct, emphasising respect and fair play. Contrary to popular belief, la soule wasn’t as barbaric as legal records might suggest. Injuries and even deaths did occur, but complaints often mentioned that “this is not how Soule is played,” indicating that unsportsmanlike conduct was discouraged.
Sticks used in the game were not just makeshift tools but were sometimes crafted specifically for play. In 13th-century Paris, there were even professional “crossetiers” who made and sold sticks for the sport. This suggests that la soule had developed into a commercial industry, with specialised gear being made for the players. However, in less formal settings, players likely used simple wooden sticks or crooks.
The Rise and Fall of La Soule: From Sport to Banned Activity
In the heat of the game, sticks were not only used to control the ball but sometimes to trip opponents or strike them in attempts to gain an advantage. The intensity and lack of formal rules meant that the line between fair play and foul could blur quickly. Unsportsmanlike behaviour, like swinging sticks at opponents, often led to serious injuries, further fuelling the chaotic reputation of the sport.
As the violence associated with la soule escalated, local authorities began stepping in. King Philip V of France outlawed the game in 1319, and Charles V followed suit in 1369, citing its violent nature and the disturbances it caused. Despite these bans, la soule remained popular, continuing to represent a social outlet for medieval communities.
This drawing from 1852 shows the game being played in a rural area of Normandy – the game is still played from one village against another but the sticks are now banned.
The Legacy of La Soule à la Crosse
La soule à la crosse was more than just a medieval game; it offers a glimpse into the social dynamics and daily life of the time. It demonstrates how communities, regardless of social class, came together for recreation, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. The game’s rough nature and absence of formal rules reflect the flexibility and adaptability of medieval pastimes, standing in sharp contrast to the highly organized sports of today.
Today, la soule à la crosse stands as a reminder of how people in the Middle Ages found ways to entertain themselves through competition, fun, and a good measure of chaos.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon.
By Lorris Chevalier
In the 12th and 13th centuries, physical activities in Europe were often associated with the nobility and clergy, the classes with the most leisure time. However, sports and games were not exclusive to these elite groups. The working class also found time for recreation, engaging in a variety of rough, physical games. One of the most chaotic and intriguing was la soule à la crosse, a medieval sport that could be seen as an early, unruly form of hockey.
What Is La Soule à la Crosse?
Imagine a scene in a medieval village: dust swirling, shouts echoing as men of all ages swing their crude sticks, chasing a ball across fields and through streets. The players, sweating and panting, dart between crowds as their neighbours cheer them on or jeer from the sidelines. At any moment, a hit too hard or a trip too well-timed could send someone sprawling, yet the game rages on.
La soule à la crosse was a medieval game where players used a stick to move a ball—or anything that could serve as a ball—toward a designated goal area. The game first appeared in French records between 1174 and 1177. It typically involved two teams—townsmen versus countrymen, married men against bachelors, or peasants competing with merchants. The ball could be made from wood, a pig’s bladder filled with air, straw, bran, or other materials. Goals were marked by various landmarks such as a church porch, a tree, or a hole in the ground.
While modern sports follow strict rules, la soule à la crosse was far more flexible. The main objective was to get the ball to the goal using a stick, but the absence of detailed rules allowed different communities to adapt the game to their preferences. This lack of standardisation made the game accessible to nearly everyone, encouraging variations based on local skills like speed, strength, or strategy. Its basic format suggests it was a kind of “proto-hockey,” a predecessor to more regulated games of today.
Who Played La Soule à la Crosse
People from all walks of life played la soule à la crosse. Adults and children from both urban and rural areas participated in this physical sport. We even know of a priest who played the game in the mid-13th century because his archbishop reprimanded him for joining his parishioners on the field.
The game was likely played by both lower-class individuals and some members of the lower nobility. However, it appears that only men participated. Despite its rough nature, excessive violence wasn’t the norm; there was an understanding that overly brutal behaviour wasn’t acceptable. Players adhered to an unwritten code of conduct, emphasising respect and fair play. Contrary to popular belief, la soule wasn’t as barbaric as legal records might suggest. Injuries and even deaths did occur, but complaints often mentioned that “this is not how Soule is played,” indicating that unsportsmanlike conduct was discouraged.
Sticks used in the game were not just makeshift tools but were sometimes crafted specifically for play. In 13th-century Paris, there were even professional “crossetiers” who made and sold sticks for the sport. This suggests that la soule had developed into a commercial industry, with specialised gear being made for the players. However, in less formal settings, players likely used simple wooden sticks or crooks.
The Rise and Fall of La Soule: From Sport to Banned Activity
In the heat of the game, sticks were not only used to control the ball but sometimes to trip opponents or strike them in attempts to gain an advantage. The intensity and lack of formal rules meant that the line between fair play and foul could blur quickly. Unsportsmanlike behaviour, like swinging sticks at opponents, often led to serious injuries, further fuelling the chaotic reputation of the sport.
As the violence associated with la soule escalated, local authorities began stepping in. King Philip V of France outlawed the game in 1319, and Charles V followed suit in 1369, citing its violent nature and the disturbances it caused. Despite these bans, la soule remained popular, continuing to represent a social outlet for medieval communities.
The Legacy of La Soule à la Crosse
La soule à la crosse was more than just a medieval game; it offers a glimpse into the social dynamics and daily life of the time. It demonstrates how communities, regardless of social class, came together for recreation, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. The game’s rough nature and absence of formal rules reflect the flexibility and adaptability of medieval pastimes, standing in sharp contrast to the highly organized sports of today.
Today, la soule à la crosse stands as a reminder of how people in the Middle Ages found ways to entertain themselves through competition, fun, and a good measure of chaos.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon.
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