Chess fans saw a red queen brought to life in Harry Potter and the
Philosopher's Stone. She came from what is perhaps the world's most
mysterious and imaginatively-crafted chess set -- 73 carved pieces
probably dating to the 1200's. The famous Chess men (and women) comprise
the world's oldest complete chess set (or parts of several sets). The
treasure trove was discovered 15 feet deep in the sand in Lewis in
Scotland's northern Outer Hebrides in the late 19th century.
Scandinavian outposts were known to be there as early as the 1200's when
the pieces were probably crafted. That chess was played in the Middle
Ages with such extraordinary works of art tantalizes the imagination.
Who were these people whose likenesses have been so whimsically and
realistically depicted that they come alive for us today? Who played the
game? These kings and queens, bishops with miters on their heads,
knights mounted on rather small horses and holding spears and shields,
rooks with shields and a wild expression, and pawns in the shape of
obelisks -- all so very human. Some of the pieces contain red stains,
suggesting perhaps that the sets had some colorings unlike modern black
and white pieces. "This is the first forensic account of modern research
into the Chessmen," according to Ancientchess.com. The "unmasked" in the
book's title refers to new controversies about their origin and about
who might have owned - and lost - them - and about the trade and state
of society where they were crafted.
