Scottish Berkeley Chess Cardinal Blue Chess Set

• Recognisable historical characters/symbols.
• Striking cardinal red and cream colouring
• Superb detail.
• Stone crushed resin chess pieces.
• Matched with a stunning Spanish blue erable board.

Scotland has weathered many invasions, giving it a fascinating and complex history. Hadrian's Wall was erected in the 1st century AD after the Romans invaded Britain and the Normans then came and conquered in 1066 with many Anglo-Saxons settling in Scotland. As a result, English ways were adopted, feudalism established and nobleman evolved from chiefs of the clans. Scotland thrived as towns began to grow and trade increased.

Margaret, heiress to the throne died in 1920. Claiming a right to bestow the crown, Edward I of England appointed John de Baliol. Unfortunately when Edward needed John's help against the French, John entered into an alliance with the French. Edward, suitably enraged, invaded Scotland and made himself King. The Scots were unsurprisingly not impressed and under the command of William Wallace revolted and successfully outed the King at Stirling Bridge. Wallace was unfortunately captured and brutally executed shortly afterwards.

Following in Wallace's footsteps, Robert the Bruce fought against the English at Bannockburn in 1314. It wasn't until 1328 that Edward III recognised Scotland's independence. King James IV of Scotland then came to the throne and on his death it went to his baby daughter, Mary Stuart. Mary had a hard life, being driven out of Scotland by John Knox, returning only to be captured and imprisoned. Escaping and fleeing to England, she was then captured and executed at the hand of Queen Elizabeth 1. It was Mary's son, James VII, that eventually took the throne on the death of Queen Elizabeth I and at last England and Scotland were united under one Monarch. The long-fought rivalry between the two great nations formally ended in 1707 with the agreement of the Act of Union.

Berkeley Chess have expertly captured the rich and varied history of Scotland in this majestic chess set. At Regency Chess, we have matched it with a stunning blue arable Spanish-made board, creating this truly enviable chess set.

The King: King Robert the Bruce
The Queen: Mary Queen of Scots
The Bishop: John Knox
The Knight: Sir William Wallace
The Rook: Scottish Tower House
The Pawn: Scottish Thistle