The Berkeley Chess Scottish Russet Palisander Chess Set

• Stone crushed resin chess pieces.
• Striking russet and cream colouring
• Superb detail.
• Recognisable historical characters/symbols.
• Matched with stunning 21.7 Black Anegre and Palisander deluxe board.

Scotland, with its fascinating and complex history, has endured many invasions, many times but thanks to her extraordinary growth, she has still managed to contribute to culture and society.

After the Romans invaded Britain in the 1st century AD, Hadrian’s Wall was erected. In 1066, the Normans invaded and conquered, resulting in many Anglo-Saxons settling in Scotland and adopting English ways. Feudalism was established and chiefs of clan became noblemen. Because the Towns grew, trade increased and Scotland flourished !

When Margaret, heiress to the throne died in 1920, Edward I of England claimed the right to bestow the crown to John de Baliol. Unfortunately, the favour was not returned when Edward needed John’s help against the French, John entered into an alliance with the French instead. A naturally enraged Edward invaded Scotland and declared himself King. The Scots did not take too kindly to this and under the command of William Wallace, the Scots hit back and successfully outed the King at Stirling Bridge. Soon after however, Wallace was captured and brutally executed.

Fighting against the English at Bannockburn in 1314, Robert the Bruce followed in Wallace’s footsteps, but it wasn’t until some 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 bequeathing also a very hard life. She was driven out by John Knox, returning to Scotland only to be captured and imprisoned. Having escaped and fled to England, she was subsequently captured and executed on the order of Queen Elizabeth I.

Mary’s son, James VII, took the throne on the death of Queen Elizabeth I, finally uniting England and Scotland under one Monarch. The centuries old rivalry between the two nations formally ceased in 1707 with the agreement of the Act of Union.

Berkeley Chess have captured the rich and varied history of Scotland in this majestic chess set and we have matched it with a beautiful high gloss black anegre and palisander deluxe board made in Spain to create this 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

The chess board in this set has been expertly crafted by Rechapados Ferrer in Spain using precision laser cutting techniques and stunning wooden veneers combined with expert lacquering and finishing. The underside of the board is finished in a satin veneer that is a different colour from the playing surface of the board. The veneers used for the underside may vary in colour from batch to batch.