In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, gaming was predominantly associated with gambling, especially during the Crusades in the Latin East. Soldiers participating in sieges sought entertainment through games, contrasting the grim realities of their warfare. While gambling provided relief from tension, it was criticized for distracting troops from their duties, causing chroniclers to highlight it as a failing. The shared enjoyment of gaming among Christians and Muslims raised concerns that Western troops were becoming 'soft,' complicating their mission as holy warriors and heightening expectations regarding their behavior.
In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, playing a game was almost entirely synonymous with gambling, especially in the Latin East, during the Crusades.
Crusader gambling was unusual, with numerous references to gaming occurring within the context of sieges, a reflection of the soldiers' need for distraction during downtime.
The social nature of gaming among Christians and Muslims led to negative perceptions of Frankish settlers, who were seen as having ‘gone native’ during the Crusades.
Crusaders and settlers, held to unrealistic expectations of conduct, faced criticism when gambling, which was often viewed as a vice impacting their crusading efforts.
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