Nine Men's Morris

Nine Men's Morris

Nine Men's Morris, also known as Merrills, Mill and Merels, is an old English game that goes back to antiquity - evidence has been found for the game in ancient Rome and possibly Ancient Egypt. More recently, references in the works of Shakespeare have given it an image of the archetypal medieval board game.

Like most of the best games, Nine Mens Morris rules are simple, the objective being to capture opposing pieces by forming lines of 3. It is an under-rated game of skill that is easy to learn but sometimes requiring deep thought - a bit like grown-up tic-tac-toe (or noughts and crosses). It is an entertaining game for beginners and veterans alike and something for older children and adults to enjoy.

Medieval Nine Men's Morris (Resin Board with Boxwood Pieces, Made in UK)

Currently unavailable

Nine Men's Morris - leather board with wooden pieces

Currently unavailable

Philos Nine Mens Morris Game with Folding Wooden Board

Out of stock.

Nine Men's Morris - Wooden Board with Wooden Pieces

£35.99

French compendium of 4 classic games

Out of stock.

32mm hardwood Draughts pieces (20 dark and 20 light) in wooden box

£9.93

Medieval Nine Men's Morris (Resin Board with Boxwood Pieces, Made in UK)

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Medieval Nine Men's Morris (Resin Board with Boxwood Pieces, Made in UK)

Apologies - we cannot source this product at present so it is suspended. It is hoped that we will find another source in the long term but we cannot guarantee it.

Ref: 0064W6

£39.99

£33.33 (Ex.VAT)

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From Masters Traditional Games, a Nine Men's Morris game comprising a UK made, wood-effect, resin cast board and boxwood playing pieces. Nine Men's Morris is a strategy board game dating back to antiquity; it's popularity peaking in Medieval England. It's simple to learn, but involves a good amount of complexity and strategic thinking.

Approx. Dimensions:

Board: 270mm. Pieces: 28mm
Board: 10.6 inch. Pieces: 1.1 inch

Premium quality Nine Men's Morris game with a wood-effect resin board and boxwood pieces
Resin cast board made in the UK to our specification with laser engraved markings
With high quality boxwood playing pieces in 2 colours - 18 pieces in total
A strategy board game dating back to antiquity - its popularity peaked in Medieval England
Also known as Merels or Mill - game is simple to learn but with a good level of complexity
Made in Britain
Language of Rules/Instructions: English
Number of players: 2
Average game time: 20 minutes

The resin board has been made to our specification, measures 27cm square and features laser cut lines, grooves and decoration. The board has a good weight to it and the realistic grain pattern really lifts the aesthetic appeal. It also features a felt underside to protect the surface it is placed upon.

The high quality, 28mm Morris Men are expertly crafted from boxwood - traditionally used for making quality game pieces - and are in 2 colours: a dark stained black and a natural wood finish. 18 playing pieces are included.

Far superior to more common, cheaper MDF based boards, this premium quality Nine Men's Morris game is the ideal gift for any traditional board game enthusiast. The game is also suitable and enjoyable for all ages, making it a great choice for playing with children.

Playing rules / instructions are also included.

Contains small parts. Unsuitable for children under 36 months.

Nine Men's Morris - leather board with wooden pieces

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Nine Men's Morris - replica medieval leather board with wooden pieces

Apologies - we cannot source this product at present so it is suspended. It is hoped that we will find another source in the long term but we cannot guarantee it.

Ref: 002R40

£19.99

£16.66 (Ex.VAT)

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This is an authentic leather replica Nine Men's Morris game with hand-made wooden pieces. Nine Men's Morris was played by both the poor and the upper classes in medieval Europe and these boards enable you to enjoy a little piece of history while playing a great game.

Approx. Dimensions:

Board 26cm square. Tube 28cm long
Board 10.2 inch square. Tube 11 inch long

Nine Mens Morris is the grown-up version of 3 in a row - simple rules but strategic thought required
History to before the middle ages. Boards found in medieval cathedrals. Mentioned by Shakespeare
Great fun while also helping teach about history and strategy
Hand-made in Britain by a craftsman specialising in leatherwork
Real leather roll-up board conveniently stores with the pieces in a cardboard tube
Made in Britain
Language of Rules/Instructions: English
For ages: 6+
Number of players: 2
Average game time: 10 minutes

Suitable for museums, families - great for teaching logic skills, the board and pieces come in a convenient cardboard tube so take up very little space when not in use.

Contains small parts. Unsuitable for children under 36 months.

Philos Nine Mens Morris Game with Folding Wooden Board

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Nine Mens Morris Game with Folding Wooden Board & Wooden Pieces, by Philos

Apologies - out of stock. Date new stock due: unknown. Email us to be notified when new stock arrives.

Ref: 00H4R6

£29.99

£24.99 (Ex.VAT)

ETA: 1 working day + transit time

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A nice large Nine Men's Morris game set featuring a folding wooden board. When not in the use the board folds in half providing a storage space for the playing pieces.

Nine Mens Morris is also known as Merelles, Merels.

Approx. Dimensions:

295 x 148 x 50mm
11.6x5.8x2 inch

A nice Nine Men's Morris game set featuring a folding wooden board
Folds in half providing a storage space for the playing pieces
A nice looking set at a great price
An old English game that goes back to antiquity - mentioned by Shakespeare
Good fun for all ages
Language of Rules/Instructions: German, Danish, Spanish, French, English, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Swedish
For ages: 6+
Number of players: 2
Average game time: 10 minutes

It's difficult to find a good size, straight-forward Nine Mens Morris board these days but this one fits the bill perfectly being well-made and almost a foot square.

It's a nice looking Nine Men's Morris set at a great price.

Contains small parts. Unsuitable for children under 36 months.

Nine Men's Morris - Wooden Board with Wooden Pieces

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Nine Men's Morris Game - Dual Side Wooden Board with Wooden Pieces

Ref: 006RW0

Was: £37.99

£35.99

£29.99 (Ex.VAT)

ETA: 1 working day + transit time

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A 2-in-1 Nine Men's Morris and Draughts game set including a Pine wood, dual-side board and high quality Boxwood pieces for playing both games.

The 35cm board features a printed Nine Men's Morris layout on one side and a standard 8 x 8 Chess / Draughts board on the reverse. The board is a fine size for enjoying both Nine Men's Morris and Draughts and a full set of 28mm pieces is included for both games.

Approx. Dimensions:

35cm square board
13.8 inch square board

A dual-side Nine Men's Morris board with 8 x 8 chess / draughts board on reverse
35cm square Pine wood board with printed game layouts
From Dal Negro - the renowned Italian games manufacturer
Includes high quality Boxwood pieces for playing Nine Men's Morris and Draughts. Rules included.
Nine Men's Morris is a classic board game dating back to antiquity - it's popularity peaking in Medieval England
Language of Rules/Instructions: English
For ages: 6+
Number of players: 2
Average game time: 10 minutes

Both the board and pieces are by Dal Negro of Italy.

French compendium of 4 classic games

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French compendium of 4 classic games

Apologies - out of stock. Date new stock due: unknown. Email us to be notified when new stock arrives.

Ref: 002H7W

Was: £38.99

£36.99

£30.83 (Ex.VAT)

ETA: 1 working day + transit time

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This is a French compendium of games. There are 4 classic games that are all great and not often seen together in a compendium:

Nine Mens Morris (played since at least the middle ages)
The Game of Goose (the oldest commercial board game in the world)
10 x 10 Draughts (more enjoyable than the 8 x 8 version)
Ludo (in the French style with horses)

Approx. Dimensions:

33 x 33cm. Draughts 22mm diameter.
13x13 inch. Draughts 0.9 inch diameter.

A French compendium of 4 classic games not often seen together
Features Nine Men's Morris The Game Of Goose 10 x 10 Draughts and Ludo
Includes all the playing pieces needed to enjoy these classic games
Included instructions are in French
Presented in a simple wooden box with a hinged lid
Language of Rules/Instructions: French, English
For ages: 5+
Number of players: 2 - 4
Average game time: 20 minutes

Although the instructions are in French, it's such a nice selection of games we couldn't resist making it available from our stock.

Includes 40 draughts, 16 horses, 4 geese in a simple wooden box with a hinged lid.

Contains small parts. Unsuitable for children under 36 months.

32mm hardwood Draughts pieces (20 dark and 20 light) in wooden box

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32mm hardwood Draughts pieces (20 dark and 20 light) in wooden box

Ref: 00HWR1

Was: £13.49

£9.93

£8.28 (Ex.VAT)

ETA: 1 working day + transit time

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Basic wooden pieces - nominal size 30mm. In sets of 40 for the Polish or European version of Draughts played on a 10 x 10 chequerboard.

Supplied in a simple wooden box with a sliding lid, measuring 17 x 7.5 x 5cm.

Approx. Dimensions:

Box 17 x 7.5 x 5cm
Box 6.7x3x2 inch

Please note that although the manufacturer gives the diameter as 32mm, this is nominal and the draughts can be as much as 2mm less.

The Origin of Nine Mens Morris

Nine Mens Morris is another contender for the prize of 'Oldest game in the world' and is known by a number of different names in England - Nine Mens Morris or Morelles or Merrills or Merels or Mill or just plain Morris.

The game is most likely an evolution of the simpler Three Mens Morris and primitive board patterns have been found dating back to as early as 1440BC, cut into the temple at Kurna, Egypt. Other boards have been discovered in Ceylon, carved during the reign of Mahadithika Maha-Naga (9-21AD). Boards have also been found across Europe in such places as the first city of Troy, within a Bronze age burial site in Ireland and at the Acropolis in Athens. In Europe the game's popularity peaked during the Fourteenth Century.

The old English game used to be played with black and white pebbles on a board that was dug into village greens using a trowel. It was also popular in many taverns with boards marked with chalk on a table. The game is actually mentioned in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Act 2, Scene 2 - "The Nine Mens Morris is filled up with mud" which must have been a common problem for the primitive boards when it rained!

You can learn more about the History of Morris from The Online Guide to Traditional Games.