Meaning of marteaux | Babel Free

Definitions

A game played at court in the 15th and 16th centuries, involving marble-sized variously colored ivory balls and a board with holes.

historical, uncountable

Examples

“After he had supped the King had him brought immediately to the Queen's own chamber, where she and her ladies were playing at the marteaux; and some of her ladies were playing at closheys of ivory, and dancing , and some at divers other games: the which sight was full pleasant to them.”

“In another part of the room three or four middle-aged dames, who acted as governesses to the young princesses, were seated at a table playing at marteaux — a game in which little ivory balls were placed in the holes of a board — with the two tutors of the young princes .”

“Louis, the Governor of Holland, was led to Queen Elizabeth's rooms where he found her and her ladies-in-waiting playing marteaux ― a game like bowls ― and throwing balls at ivory pins.”

“The queen is playing now with her ladies at a courtly game called the marteaux, while others are amusing themselves as best befits them, according to the fashion of the times.”

CEFR level