The Lewis Chessmen: The Enigma of the Hoard

by Neil Stratford

A great hoard of 12th-century chesspieces was discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, in circumstances which have never been fully explained. Carved from walrus tusks, the Lewis chessmen have been described as "the greatest chessmen of the European Middle Ages". This illustrated account of the chesspieces is accompanied by a review of the place of the chessmen within the history of the ancient game of chess and of Romanesque art and its medieval context. Specially commissioned line drawings illustrate the intricate detail of the decorative carving and shield patterns of the pieces.

Genres: History

64 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1911

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story

[Hol]

I am head over heels for the Lewis Chessmen so was thrilled when the library turned up a copy of this book. It is slim--there is little known about the chessmen, unfortunately--but the photographs are a real pleasure.

[Evan Hays]

Just picked this up and read it today at a friend's house. A window into another world and an excellent little description of the most amazing chess set in the world.