[MR] BBC: Lewis Chessmen (and Chesswomen) on Display

[Garth G. Groff]

Noble friends,

The famous Lewis Chessmen have returned to the Western Isles, at least 
for a time. Twenty-three pieces, which have been touring in Scotland, 
have gone on display in Stornoway. BBC has a brief audio clip, with an 
excellent image of several at: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13091367 .

A related BBC text story is at: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13085170 .

Also worthy of a read is a story on new ideas about the Chessmen's 
origins: 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8352127.stm 
. I like the possibility, though unverifiable, that they might have 
belonged to Angus Mor of Isla, inherited from his father Donald, Lord of 
the Isles. Donald is considered the founder of Clan MacDonald. Also 
interesting is the possibility they were used to play Hnefatafl, a 
chess-like game with different moves (and that game is not "lost", 
though the rules are somewhat fuzzy--search "Hnefatafl" on Wikipedia). I 
am particularly found of that chess piece who is chewing on his shield, 
which speaks volumes about the controversy over where the Lewis Chessmen 
should be displayed.

Kind regards,


Lord Mungo Napier, That Crazy Scot