The Medieval Series Chess Pieces - 3.6" King - Brown and Natural

The Middle Ages or Medieval Period designates the time span from the collapse of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance and Reformation, and the adjective "medieval" refers to whatever was made, written, or thought during the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages was a period of enormous historical,social, and linguistic change, despite the continuity of the Roman Catholic Church.

In addition to Isle of Lewis there were many well-known Medieval chess pieces and another early chess set is the so-called Charlemagne chessmen, which is in the Cabinet des Medailles, Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. The so-called Charlemagne chessmen were at the Saint Denis Abbey near Naples since the end of the 13th century. The pieces are dated around 1100 and were probably made in Salerne, Italy. The pieces may have come to Paris as a gift to French King Philip II or Phillip III.

Both kings stopped in Salerne. In 1598 there were 30 pieces. In 1794, after the French Revolution, there were 16 pieces. The set consists of 2 kings, 2 queens, 4 elephants, 4 knights, 3 chariots, and I foot soldier. A piece that is part of the Charlemagne set is a King Elephant. Its origin is India and it may not even be a chess piece. In the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum is a 12th century English chess king (king on horseback) carved of walrus ivory. It is probably the earliest authentic English chess piece known. The piece was found in the drainage channels that ran through the streets of Salisbury.

To commemorate this rich history Berkeley Chess have produced this stunning Medieval Chess Set based on a 14th Century German set. The reverse side of the King's throne shows warriors, the Queen's throne ladies in waiting and the Bishop's throne holy men and musicians. In the Rook can be seen the beginning of the introduction of the Castle into early European Chess.