HNEFATAFL
ISLE OF LEWIS EDITION
A COMPELLING RE-CREATION OF THE ANCIENT GAME
RULES INCLUDED
KING = 2.5 INCHES
The Scandinavian family of tafl games
stretches back earlier than 400 B.C. -- perhaps a thousand years before the
dawn of chess! The idea of the game is simple, like "half a chess
game," the inner kingdom endeavors to escort its king away to safety,
while the foreign invaders strive to capture the king before he makes his
escape.
In recent times, this ancient game, in the form of hnefatafl has
had a resurgence of popularity.
We offer here a beautiful reproduction of this great game, based on Isle of
Lewis chessmen -- which were quite possibly used for hnefatafl as well as
chess.
THE ISLE OF LEWIS
CONNECTION
The Isle of Lewis chessmen are the most extraordinary find in the
history of chess. Dating to the end of the 12th century A.D., discovered in an
underground vault in 1831, the pieces comprise almost 4 complete sets of
elaborately carved chessmen. The chessmen date, in fact to a time when the
Scandinavian owners of the sets would also be acquainted with the ancient game
of hnefatafl.
MISSING FROM THE LEWIS
CHESSMEN!
Of the few pieces missing from the Lewis chessmen four were
'warders' -- standing soldiers, and the great majority were pawns.
Why those particular pieces taken away from the hoard?
A standing warder gives a good figurative resemblance to the pointed
"king" of a traditional hnefatafl set -- and two distinct types of
pawns serve perfectly as two opposing hnefatafl armies. It's quite possible
that these specific pieces were taken for games of hnefatafl, before the hoard
was buried and lost for centuries.
THE LEWIS HNEFATAFL SET IS
BACK!
It will truly be a gratifying archeological miracle if, some day,
the missing Lewis pieces are found in a way that confirms our striking
hypothesis.
In the meantime, we offer here a lovely and enjoyable re-creation of hnefatafl,
as it would have appeared when borrowed, 8 centuries ago, from the Lewis
chessmen.
DETAILS
The kings of this set ("warders") stand 2.5 inches tall,
with pawns of 1.5 inches.
They are cast and finished by hand, made of hydrostone, given an antique
finish, and felted on the bottoms.
The playing mat is printed canvas, 11.5 inches wide. It rolls up
and fits into the box with the pieces, as shown.
Playing rules are included with the game.
Shipping, etc...
Shipping is by Priority Mail: 2-3 "business days" within
the U.S.; 6-10 "business days" to other countries.
Please see the shipping rate listed below.