9 Drinking Games People Were Playing Centuries Ago

6. The Sumbel

Where it was played: The sumbel was a drinking ritual in medieval Scandinavia and other Norse settlements. How it was played: You may be surprised to hear that Norse drinking culture was relatively civilised. Sumbel means 'ale-gathering' and was a jovial ceremony that took usually place in a chieftain's hall. A ceremonial cup would be passed around the guests in attendance, who would have to perform an oath, boast, toast or song before they could take a drink and pass it to the next person. This civilised practice could be the influence of stories about Norse God Odin, who was said to only drink wine, and only after Loki had been served. To honour Odin's kindness to his brother, the attendees of the sumbel would pour a few drops of their drink into the fire after each toast to the gods.