Fox and Geese — Medieval Hunt Strategy Game

A Classic Game of Cunning, Pursuit & Escape

One fox. A flock of geese. Two very different ways to win.

Fox and Geese is a traditional European strategy game in which a single powerful Fox faces a much larger flock of Geese.

The Fox is fast and dangerous, capturing Geese by jumping over them. The Geese cannot capture—but together they can surround, trap, and immobilize the Fox.

It is an easy game to learn, but winning requires planning, patience, and a little medieval cunning.

A Game with Centuries of History

Fox and Geese belongs to an old family of European hunt games, where unequal forces compete with different objectives.

Versions of the game were known in medieval and early-modern Europe. One of the most interesting pieces of evidence comes from Gloucester Cathedral in England, where a Fox-and-Geese-style game board was carved into medieval stonework.

Games such as this required very little equipment. A board could be scratched or carved into wood or stone, while coins, pebbles, seeds, or other small objects could serve as playing pieces.

Over the centuries, different regions developed their own board layouts, numbers of Geese, and rule variations. The result is not one single historical rulebook, but a fascinating family of closely related games passed from one generation to another.

The Challenge

• The Fox: Capture enough Geese that they can no longer trap you.
• The Geese: Work together to surround the Fox so it has nowhere left to move.

The Fox can move and capture, while the Geese must rely on numbers and cooperation. A careless Goose can open an escape route. A careless Fox can suddenly find itself surrounded.

That unequal contest is what makes Fox and Geese so much fun: strength and mobility against teamwork and strategy.

Games From The Lost Archives

Part of our Games From The Lost Archives collection, Fox and Geese brings a centuries-old game back to the table for a new generation.

Ideal for:

• Renaissance faire fans
• Homeschool history
• Classrooms and living-history programs
• Family game nights
• Medieval history enthusiasts
• Unique historical gifts

Simple rules • Unequal sides • Quick to learn • Rich in strategy • Centuries of history

Will the Fox outwit the flock, or will the Geese finally corner the Fox?