Scottish Berkeley Chess Metal and Palisander Chess Set

• Stone and metal crushed resin chess pieces.
• Recognisable historical characters/symbols.
• Superb detail.
• Unique metallic colouring
• Matched with fabulous 21.7 Deluxe Black Anegre and Palisander board.

Scotland has a complex and fascinating history, having faced invasion many times. Extraordinary growth over the centuries has also contributed to her culture and society.

Hadrian's Wall was constructed as a defensive fortification after the Romans invaded Britain in the 1st century AD. 1066 saw the onslaught of the Normans, resulting in many Anglo-Saxons settling in Scotland and adopting English ways. Feudalism and nobility were established and because the towns grew, trade increased and Scotland prospered!

In 1920, with the death of Margaret who was heiress to the throne, Edward I of England announced the right to bestow the crown to John de Baliol. Unfortunately, this favour was not returned when John pledged allegiance to the French instead of standing by Edward. So Edward, naturally aggrieved, invaded Scotland and declared himself King. The Scots were not impressed by this and under the command of William Wallace they retaliated and successfully disposed the King at Stirling Bridge. Wallace was captured and brutally executed shortly afterwards.

In 1314 fighting against the English at Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce followed in Wallace's footsteps. It was 14 years later that Edward III acknowledged Scotland's independence. Following the succession and eventual death of King James IV of Scotland, his baby daughter, Mary Stuart inherited the throne and by association, a very hard life. Originally driven out of Scotland by John Knox, she returned only to be captured and imprisoned. In the end, despite having escaped and fleeing to England, Mary Stuart was captured and executed on the order of Queen Elizabeth 1.

It was Mary's son, James VII, who finally united England and Scotland under one Monarch when he took the throne on the death of Queen Elizabeth I. in 1707 the centuries-long rivalry between the two nations formally ceased, with the agreement of the Act of Union.

Berkeley Chess have captured the rich and varied history of Scotland in this majestic chess set. We have matched it with a wonderful high gloss deluxe Spanish black anegre and palisander board creating a truly stunning 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