Ice Skates: Transportation or Fun?

The time for play and fun was not lost on the people of the early Middle Ages, instead embraced in many different ways. Many activities came about from aspects or things that the surrounding area or townspeople could already provide. A great example of that would be the pass time of ice skating. Ice skating was a common activity in northern countries such as Scandinavia and also some of the low countries. During the winter months, ponds and lakes naturally freeze over, giving the people a "nature provided play ground." Now that the playing field has been made, towns people would use bones from their kills to create the blade for the ice skate. Then, with the added straps of leather, would fasten the skate either around a foot or a boot. Along with the ice skate, participants would also use two long poles to help propel them forward. The commonly known motion of ice skating was actually rarely used. In most cases, individuals would use the ice skates as a gliding mechanism as they used the poles as the momentum aspect.

There is debate over whether the invention of the ice skates were more for fun, or for a better means of transportation during the winter months. Many argue that ice skates were used for both, but mostly for the use of leisure activity. Ice skating was an activity that could be participated in by both the young and old, and was a way to bring the townspeople together in a shared activity. The stereotype of the Medieval times tends to fall under "all work, no play" but in actuality, the people of this time spent a good amount of time enjoying the activities they did together, or separately. 

Religion being a prominent figure and influencer of the time, means that many artifacts can some how be tied back to the Church. The ice skate is no different. A young women named Lidwina, was ice skating one day and fell and broke her rib. She was taken to a covenant to heal and later became a part of the order. Years later, after her death, Lidwina was named the patron saint of skaters. 

Sources: "Daily Life in the Middle Ages." Paul B. Newman. McFarland & Company. Jefferson, North Carolina. (page 165, 167)

"Ice Skating" Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/sports/handball