A Man With An Agenda

'Ivory Vikings' tells the known story(ies) of the Lewis Chessmen, details Nordic/Atlantic style, the history of chess as it migrated from India, and covers the various theories regarding the origins of the Lewis Chessmen and offers speculations on those who likely commissioned and made them. This was accessible and light and I was drawn in immediately.

Medieval history, and the settlement of Iceland and Greenland in particular, have always fascinated me, and Brown comes out strongly in the Icelandic camp when it comes to the origin of the chessmen. The theories don't hold water, but as she accurately points out, neither do any of the others. My objections took a backseat as I enjoyed her coverage of Icelandic sagas and detailed the various finds similar to the chessmen that have been found over the centuries. The debate is contentious and, without some improbable level of evidence, will never be settled. The evolution of the game of chess itself was fascinating, and the overview here is worth the read, I never knew the rules of the game had changed so often since being introduced to Europe.

This is pop history, but a good introduction to the concept that there is so much out there that could use reinterpretation.