12th Century Drinking

Drinks

Ale or wine, depending upon country and preference.

Taverns

Taverns were open fronted establishments located on the ground floor of buildings (like shops), with benches, stools and a few trestle tables, and kegs of wine or ale tapped for customers.

If a drinker could not pay for his drink, the barkeeper would take articles of clothing instead, like a pawnbroker.

Gaming

Dicing

Playing (gambling) dice games was a popular pastime at taverns.

Wassail

A popular drinking custom/game with the English, which probably gave them a reputation as either big drinkers or drunkards in foreign countries.

see also:

• 12th Century Life