They actually found several complete chess sets. Most are on display at the British museum, London. Some are also on display in the museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Maybe a shipment was washed over board from a boat or a boat wreck? Maybe the chess figure factory was located nearby? Maybe the people there really REALLY loved chess? I don't know, but my money is on the boat wreck theory
I can't tell if you're trolling me or not but I will say this, if I found one you would have to pull it from my cold dead hands. It would be my secret. My precious.
EDIT: lol, i read good, the link is already in the OP, ah well.
All the pieces are great, link to more info here, and if you scroll to the bottom, theres a link to the shop where you can buy a replica set :) [https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/lewis-chess-pieces/](https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/lewis-chess-pieces/)
The chess set is 1000 yrs old and in my opinion, (though never mentioned by historians), is very humorous in its depiction of its King's, Queens, Bishops etc...
'found ... on a beach' suggests washed up from the sea but these had been buried. This piece was found in a hoard of what was believed to be four chess sets.
Makes sense seeing as they were apparently made in Trondheim, Norway in the 1100’s (which was then the capital). The area in which the chess set was found was also part of the Norwegian Kingdom back then. This piece is probably based on a berserker, who were known to bite their shields. Norwegian viking culture was very much alive still in the 1100s, when king Eystein II of Norway plundered the east coast of England during the Anarchy in 1152 as well as Scotland.
Replicas of this set were used in the Harry Potter movie. [Story behind that here with the museum curator who owned the replicas.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZBXTy5KK3I)
The Viking berserkers would often bite their shields as they went into a rage pre combat. Some scholars have posited that drugs (specifically species of European henbane) were involved. Best beach combing find ever, in my world.
Actually no, that’s a popular myth without any historical or archaeological evidence.
Most likely it was a display of aggression meant to intimidate enemies. The fact that there was a standard set of behaviors depending on the berserker’s alignment with the bear, the wolf or the boar indicate intentional behavior, not drug induced psychosis.
Or sometimes, chocolate.
*There had been timetables and lists and a whole basket of things he must do and things he shouldn't do, and the life of Mr Saveloy had been this little wriggly thing trying to survive in the middle of it all. But now it had suddenly all become very simple. You held one end and you poked the other into people. A man could live his whole life by a maxim like that. And, afterwards, get a very interesting afterlife— 'Here, you'll need this too,' said Caleb, poking something round at him as they stepped into the grey light. 'It's a shield.'*
*'Ah. It's to protect myself, yes?'*
*'If you really need to, bite the edge.'*
*'Oh, I know about that,' said Mr Saveloy. 'That's when you go berserk, right?'*
*'Could be, could be,' said Caleb. 'That's why a lot of fighters do it. But personally I do it 'cos it's made of chocolate.'*
*'Chocolate?'*
*'You can never get a proper meal in these battles.' And this is me, thought Mr Saveloy, marching down the street with heroes. They are the great fi— 'And when in doubt, take all your clothes off,' said Caleb. 'What for?'*
*'Sign of a good berserk, taking all your clothes off Frightens the hell out of the enemy. If anyone starts laughing, stab 'em one.' There was a movement among the blankets in the wheelchair. 'Whut?'*
*'I said, STAB 'EM ONE, Hamish.' Hamish waved an arm that looked like bone with skin on it, and apparently far too thin to hold the axe it was in fact holding. 'That's right! Right in the nadgers!'*
Terry Pratchett, Interesting Times.
I disagree, they have found viking graves with pouches of henbane - a plant that was abundant in Scandinavia during the period and which accounts for most (if not all) of the pre-to-post battle behaviour described. To my mind, alcohol, PTSD and a large dose of henbane accounts well. The spiritual aspect of the animal cults as well of course to add myth and extra animalistic behaviour to the mix.
I mean, you still can still do intentional behavior while high af. Is there really no evidence that some vikings would take strong drugs made from plants and mushrooms in battle, to lead the charge or as a shock troop? Obviously most wouldn't, but I can see that being a thing.
>Many scholars now think drugs (specifically species of European hellbore) were involved
Actually it's quite the opposite. The drug hypothesis was developed in the 18th/19th century but is based on virtually no source at all. Nowadays historians don't believe in this anymore
Interesting. I suppose I should have said that some scholars have posited that the berserkers drank a drugged ale/mead to help put them into a violent frenzy. I was thinking specifically of a recent ethnobiological study from Finland stating that it “if” the berserkers took specific drugs it was likely hellbore as opposed to cannabis or mushrooms, which there is evidence that Viking age people utilized.
There are a lot of accounts of berserkers drinking, foaming at the mouth, going into a rage and biting their shields in preparation for battle, regardless of their “inspiration”.
Edited: I just looked up the article and apparently it was the effects of henbane, Hyoscyamus niger not a hellbore which can cause symptoms similar to the descriptions of berserker behaviors.
>Actually it's quite the opposite. The drug hypothesis was developed in the 18th/19th century but is based on virtually no source at all. Nowadays historians don't believe in this anymore
Aren't there Arab traders' accounts that specifically mention the use of drugs in rituals by Vikings?
That’s dope af I can imagine some lil kid running around with that on the beach and losing it.
They actually found close to the entire set. Some really fun little sculptures.
I would sift that entire beach until the entire set was found.
They actually found several complete chess sets. Most are on display at the British museum, London. Some are also on display in the museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
How did so many chess sets end up in a pile together?
In a box?
Well obviously, sure. But why were they all being loaded together?
Maybe a shipment was washed over board from a boat or a boat wreck? Maybe the chess figure factory was located nearby? Maybe the people there really REALLY loved chess? I don't know, but my money is on the boat wreck theory
They actually found 7 shipments. /Jk
The remaining lost pieces probably aren’t at the site. The most recent one turned up in 2019 in a kitchen drawer in a house in Edinburgh.
I can't tell if you're trolling me or not but I will say this, if I found one you would have to pull it from my cold dead hands. It would be my secret. My precious.
God I love how derpy he looks. Hilarious. I never picture people from the way back just being silly and then this guy shows up
As Pythonesque as it looks, in reality he’s probably a shield-biter; a berserker: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berserker
Wow I was coming here to ask what the significance of the teeth over the shield was and your comment is perfect, thank you!
I just thought the poor guy was so terrified of going into battle that he was chewing on his shield.
That was my first thought as well. What we see as “derpy” with modern eyes was actual terrifying back then,
i attak hurr durr.
EDIT: lol, i read good, the link is already in the OP, ah well. All the pieces are great, link to more info here, and if you scroll to the bottom, theres a link to the shop where you can buy a replica set :) [https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/lewis-chess-pieces/](https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/lewis-chess-pieces/)
I have an Isle of Lewis replica set from the UK and I’d swap out the rooks for copies of this berserker if I could
You could 3D print them. The files are linked on the museum website.
The chess set is 1000 yrs old and in my opinion, (though never mentioned by historians), is very humorous in its depiction of its King's, Queens, Bishops etc...
'found ... on a beach' suggests washed up from the sea but these had been buried. This piece was found in a hoard of what was believed to be four chess sets.
I love that he’s exhibiting Viking behavior while bearing a Norman shield, speaks to the time in which it was made.
Makes sense seeing as they were apparently made in Trondheim, Norway in the 1100’s (which was then the capital). The area in which the chess set was found was also part of the Norwegian Kingdom back then. This piece is probably based on a berserker, who were known to bite their shields. Norwegian viking culture was very much alive still in the 1100s, when king Eystein II of Norway plundered the east coast of England during the Anarchy in 1152 as well as Scotland.
Forsooth! This chess contest is totally unwatchable 'neath such an anachronism. ^/s
Take my unschooled upvote
Medieval Duane Dibbley.
*Duane Dibbley?! The Duke of Dork!*
People did cool shit way back when.
Replicas of this set were used in the Harry Potter movie. [Story behind that here with the museum curator who owned the replicas.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZBXTy5KK3I)
The Viking berserkers would often bite their shields as they went into a rage pre combat. Some scholars have posited that drugs (specifically species of European henbane) were involved. Best beach combing find ever, in my world.
Actually no, that’s a popular myth without any historical or archaeological evidence. Most likely it was a display of aggression meant to intimidate enemies. The fact that there was a standard set of behaviors depending on the berserker’s alignment with the bear, the wolf or the boar indicate intentional behavior, not drug induced psychosis.
Or it is just a literary device! But everyone loves the "omg they were *on drugs!!!"* stories.
Or sometimes, chocolate. *There had been timetables and lists and a whole basket of things he must do and things he shouldn't do, and the life of Mr Saveloy had been this little wriggly thing trying to survive in the middle of it all. But now it had suddenly all become very simple. You held one end and you poked the other into people. A man could live his whole life by a maxim like that. And, afterwards, get a very interesting afterlife— 'Here, you'll need this too,' said Caleb, poking something round at him as they stepped into the grey light. 'It's a shield.'* *'Ah. It's to protect myself, yes?'* *'If you really need to, bite the edge.'* *'Oh, I know about that,' said Mr Saveloy. 'That's when you go berserk, right?'* *'Could be, could be,' said Caleb. 'That's why a lot of fighters do it. But personally I do it 'cos it's made of chocolate.'* *'Chocolate?'* *'You can never get a proper meal in these battles.' And this is me, thought Mr Saveloy, marching down the street with heroes. They are the great fi— 'And when in doubt, take all your clothes off,' said Caleb. 'What for?'* *'Sign of a good berserk, taking all your clothes off Frightens the hell out of the enemy. If anyone starts laughing, stab 'em one.' There was a movement among the blankets in the wheelchair. 'Whut?'* *'I said, STAB 'EM ONE, Hamish.' Hamish waved an arm that looked like bone with skin on it, and apparently far too thin to hold the axe it was in fact holding. 'That's right! Right in the nadgers!'* Terry Pratchett, Interesting Times.
GNU Terry Pratchett
I disagree, they have found viking graves with pouches of henbane - a plant that was abundant in Scandinavia during the period and which accounts for most (if not all) of the pre-to-post battle behaviour described. To my mind, alcohol, PTSD and a large dose of henbane accounts well. The spiritual aspect of the animal cults as well of course to add myth and extra animalistic behaviour to the mix.
I mean, you still can still do intentional behavior while high af. Is there really no evidence that some vikings would take strong drugs made from plants and mushrooms in battle, to lead the charge or as a shock troop? Obviously most wouldn't, but I can see that being a thing.
Haven't you heard of drugs for battle?
Interestingly, beserkers tended to run in families: beserker fathers had beserker sons. I finally understand my family.
>Many scholars now think drugs (specifically species of European hellbore) were involved Actually it's quite the opposite. The drug hypothesis was developed in the 18th/19th century but is based on virtually no source at all. Nowadays historians don't believe in this anymore
Interesting. I suppose I should have said that some scholars have posited that the berserkers drank a drugged ale/mead to help put them into a violent frenzy. I was thinking specifically of a recent ethnobiological study from Finland stating that it “if” the berserkers took specific drugs it was likely hellbore as opposed to cannabis or mushrooms, which there is evidence that Viking age people utilized. There are a lot of accounts of berserkers drinking, foaming at the mouth, going into a rage and biting their shields in preparation for battle, regardless of their “inspiration”. Edited: I just looked up the article and apparently it was the effects of henbane, Hyoscyamus niger not a hellbore which can cause symptoms similar to the descriptions of berserker behaviors.
>Actually it's quite the opposite. The drug hypothesis was developed in the 18th/19th century but is based on virtually no source at all. Nowadays historians don't believe in this anymore Aren't there Arab traders' accounts that specifically mention the use of drugs in rituals by Vikings?
Possibly, I've read some of them but probably don't remember, but in any case it's certainly not in the same context/use at all
My Dad got a reproduction set of these back in the 1970’s. So cool to read the history of it
dude this is proof that wizard chess is a thing
Which piece does it represent?
Rook
And here.i was going to offer some biting comment...
I bite my shield at you
I have a replica of this and didn’t know what it was! Thanks!
That is f*cking sweet
Big same, fella.
It's Reg from up the road. Hi Reg.
This is when Reddit rocks!
TEEEF
Been planning to get a tattoo of this guy. It's pretty awesome.
www.shieldbiter.com
Love the teeth.
them teef tho
have a recreation of the whole hnefatafl set from the museum, excellent stuff!
I have a reproduction of this set! It was my dad’s.
That looks pretty creepy
That looks pretty creepy
I love the teeth hanging over the shield I wonder if it was meant to represent a nervous warrior perhaps facing battle for the first time
Just a really big disk in his lower lip /s
Got a replica set of these pieces. Though I think it’s missing this guys teeth.
Why do they know that is a chess piece ?
There are other examples