The word 'tafl' (properly pronounced 'tabl', although nobody does) is based on the Latin root for 'table', and historically referred to any sort of board game. Names for several such games have been passed to us in the literature, like hnefatafl ('King's Table'), halatafl, etc., but it is not always certain which specific game they refer to.
Want know how to play? The complete instructions for all of our games are now available online.
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Tafl
Tafl is one variation of hnefatafl, an ancient Viking siege game which dates back to the 5th. century A.D. It was once the most popular board game in Northern Europe. Combining elements of both othello and chess, Tafl is challenging and yet fun and easy to learn.Each boxed game set includes a 9" square wood game board, 25 carved wood game pieces, and easy instructions.
Want more information about the game of Tafl? Check out King's Table: Game of the Noble Scandinavians
Valhalla
Valhalla is a game of both chance and strategy, in which the players overcome physical obstacles, attacks by their opponents and the whims of the Gods in order to reach a joyous afterlife in Odin’s hall - Valhalla. The game is loosely based on Senet, which originated in ancient Egypt and was adopted by the Greeks and later the Romans, until it may have made its way north into medieval Scandinavia.The game set includes a carved board (12 1/2" x 5 1/2"), 12 ship playing pieces, 4 'fate casting sticks', a pouch to hold the game pieces, and complete instructions.
Three-In-One
Medieval Game Board
 Nine Man's Morris is one of the world's oldest and most popular board games. Like a complex version of naughts and crosses, the game is simple to learn and fun to play. |
 Fox and Geese is a Medieval favourite in which the fox is pitted against 13 geese. Probably originating in Viking Age Scandinavia, this is a classic game of strategy.
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Sailor's Solitaire has been a favorite among sailors for centuries, and is played on the same board as Fox and Geese.
and complete instructions for all three games.
Knucklebones
Sadly, we are no longer able to get real knucklebones from our Australian supplier and have been unable to find another. If anyone knows of a supplier of cleaned and dried sheep's knucklebones (tali) suitable for this game, please email us.
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Tara Hill Designs
P.O. Box 23074, 55 Ontario St. S., Milton, ON L9T 5B4
Ph: (905) 878-5473
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Created: Friday, December 29, 1995
Last Updated: Thursday, February 08, 2007