Lewis trilogy by peter may share book recommendations. Made from walrus ivory some time between ad 1150 and 1200, the lewis chessmen are iconic artefacts from the early medieval period. Forensic research, historic analysis and excellent pictures show. Here is a beautifullydesigned, great little book on the lewis isle chessmen and a slice in time of the cultural histories of ireland and greater scandinavia. The isle of lewis is a land of strange beauty, harsh living and i. I found the first instalment, the blackhouse, interesting and atmospheric but flawed in terms of character development, but thought book two, the lewis man, was excellent. Lewis trilogy by peter may 3 primary works 4 total works fin macleod, a detective inspector in edinburgh, returns to his birthplace, the isle of lewis, in the outer hebrides of scotland, in the lewis. They continue to fascinate academics from various disciplines.
Like the other two, the book is a combination of a crime story and a growing up. The unmasked in the books title refers to new controversies about their origin. Loved reading this brief book on the lewis chessmen. Irving finkel and the chamber of lewis chessmen i curators corner season 2 episode 9. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. Ever since the ivory pieces were discovered sometime before 1831 on the isle of lewis.
In 2014 six of the british museums collection will be moved and displayed in. This concise book provides a guide to the history of these chess pieces including the story of their discovery in 1831. The lewis chessmen bones of contention books and arts. The lewis chessmen are also key to the plot of the ya fantasy novel the sleeping army, as well as the uk animated tv series noggin the nog. The lewis chessmen were found on the isle of lewis in mysterious. The lewis chessmen by james robinson 2004, paperback for. You will be entranced by the island and the people. The lewis chessmen are the most important chess pieces in history. Pdf download the lewis chessmen free unquote books. The hoard found on the isle of lewis included 78 chess pieces, 14 plain discs that could have been used for another tabletop game and one buckle. Discovered in 1831 on the isle of lewis but dating back to the 12th century, the.
The lewis chessmen and the enigma of the hoard book. Carved from walrus ivory a few are also made from whale teeth the 78 chess pieces were most likely made in trondheim, norway between 1150 and 1200 ad. In this episode of masterworks, immerse yourself in the fantastical tale of the lewis chessmen and discover the latest member of this famous band of brothers. The 93 lewis chessmen, bought by the british museum and by what is now the national museum of scotland in the mid nineteenth century, were made in. A fascinating little book which sheds new light on the origins of the famous isle of lewis chessmen. Lewis chesmen or uig chessmen, named after the island or the bay where they were found, are a group of distinctive 12thcentury chess pieces, along with other game pieces, most of which are carved from walrus ivory. One of the most famous treasures to have come out of the ground in scotland is a hoard of ivory chessmen and other gaming pieces found in the isle of lewis. The chess pieces are part of the hoard found on the isle of lewis on the west coast of scotland and are remarkable examples of medieval ivory carving. David caldwell was formerly keeper of scotland in europe for national museums scotland. Unmasked, published in 2010 and reprinted five times. The ornamentations of the lewis chessmen are distinctively scandinavian, but which nordic country is responsible for their creation remains unknown. Chess fans saw a red queen brought to life in harry pott. The 93 lewis chessmen, bought by the british museum and by what is now the national museum of scotland in the mid nineteenth century, were made in twelfthcentury scandinavia, from ivory and whales teeth. This publication by the british museum press is the definitive work on the lewis chessmen.
A bishop that probably predates the lewis chessmen was in the collection of jeanjoseph. Click download or read online button to get the lewis chessmen book now. The lewis chessmen download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Peter mays the chessmen is the final book of the lewis trilogy, staring fin macleod an ex police officer previously acting as detective inspector. They may be some of the few complete, surviving medieval chess sets. Their iconic cultural status is undisputed, and they are found everywhere, from the covers of books, records, to movies such as harry potter and the philosophers stone or kingdom of heaven.
This item isle of lewis chessmen full size complete set of chess set game pieces vintage and collectors. After 180 years, the lewis chessmen continue to fascinate and capture the imagination of people around the world. Eleven chessman are in the national museum of scotland. Lewis trilogy book 3 ok, but definitely not as good as book 2 of this series. This concise book provides a guide to the history of these chess pieces including the story of their discovery in 1831, followed by skulduggery, deception and controversy as they were sold off to various parties including the british museum, where most of them. By martin hannan the pieces were carved from walrus ivory and whale teeth. The chessmen is the final installment of peter mays lewis trilogy the other two being the blackhouse. This slim volume describes the mysterious and strangely beautiful chessmen of lewis island, found near uig, scotland in april 1831. He was the lead author in nms enterprises the lewis chessmen. They were then brought by raiders or merchants to lewis. Where the lewis chessmen were originally made remains an enduring mystery due to the fact that viking. The trilogy takes place on a remote island in scotland the isle of lewis where its inhabitants must constantly fight the elements for survival. The enduring mystery of the lewis chessmen history.
The lewis chessmen are a rare 12thcentury set of chess pieces carved in walrus ivory and whales teeth. Buy a cheap copy of the chessmen book by peter may. The project focuses on the things we have made, from flint to mobile phone. Lewis chessmen the lewis chessmen were found under mysterious circumstances on the isle of lewis in the outer hebrides, scotland, in 1831. The 93 lewis chessmen, bought by the british museum and by what is now. The hoard was discovered in 1831 on the isle of lewis in the outer hebrides, scotland. Nancy marie browns new book is a scholarly but highly entertaining investigation of the provenance of the famous chess pieces known as the lewis chessmen found at uist, the isle of lewis, hebrides, scotland. Isle of lewis chessmen full size complete set of chess set game pieces vintage and collectors 4. The lewis chessmen were found hidden on the isle of lewis, scotland, in the early nineteenth century. The chessmen is the last of the lewis trilogy by peter may. I recommend this book to folks with an interest in knowing much more about the lewis chessmen. The lewis chessmen unmasked by david caldwell goodreads.
This book uses new research to look at the hoards origins and discovery. Lewis chessmen king and queen bookends national museums. Written in beautiful and brutal prose, may takes us again to the harsh isle of lewis, a remote island in the outer hebrides of scotland steeped in gaelic culture. Read them in order, your time and money will not be wasted. Book two of the lewis trilogy and one can certainly not claim hes been running out of steam at this point. Probably made in norway around ad 11501200, they consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, standing warders and pawns. Discovered in 1831 on lewis in the outer hebrides of scotland, they may constitute some of the. The lewis chessmen or uig chessmen, named after the island or the bay where they were. Fin macleod, now head of security on a privately owned lewis estate, is charged with investigating a spate of illegal gamehunting taking place on the island. Her book is a social history that romps through the evolution of chess, walrus hunting in the far north, viking marauding from the mediterranean to the caspian seas, and recent discoveries of. However, the kindle edition fails the illustrations. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Carved from walrus tusks, the lewis chessmen have been described as the greatest chessmen of the european middle ages.
The lewis chessmen, or uig chessmen, are 78 12thcentury chess pieces, most of which are carved in walrus ivory. History and surface condition of the lewis chessmen in the. It has more information than the british museum book store. Origins of lewis chessmen questioned in new book the. He is the millionselling author of the lewis trilogy, the enzo files and the china thrillers. Also the illustrations, helpfully numbered as figures, should be hotlinked to the text. The final book in the series is called the chessmen, and its plot centers on a character who handcarves replicas of the chessmen from driftwood. They are symbols of scotland and particularly the outer hebrides, and are among the most popular and important archaeological finds in. The lewis chessmen were found on the isle of lewis in mysterious circumstances. Isle of lewis chessmen full size complete set of chess. The lewis chessmen and the enigma of the hoard by neil. Lewis chessmen collections national museums scotland shop.
They were found in the vicinity of uig on the isle of lewis, outer hebrides, in mysterious circumstances some time before 11th. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Peter may gives them a place of honor in the gripping third volume in his trilogy of crime novels set on the isle of lewis, the northernmost of the outer hebrides islands off the northwest coast of scotland. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The chessmen is the final novel in peter mays crime trilogy set on the isle of lewis, in scotlands remote western isles. The chessmen the final of a brilliant storyline spread over the three books.
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