The Game and Playe of the Chesse

By (author) William Caxton Edited by Jenny Adams

Book cover: The Game and Playe of the Chesse

Extent: 164 pages

Publisher: Medieval Institute Publications

Subjects: Medieval Studies

Series: TEAMS Middle English Texts Series

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(May 2009)

ISBN: 9781580441308

7.01 x 10 inches

Price: $14.95

In stock

PDF (Published)

(May 2009)

ISBN: 9781580444439

Price: $12.00

Despite its title, Caxton’s Game and Playe of the Chesse does not, in fact, have much to say about a game or about playing it … Instead, the work uses the chessboard and its pieces to allegorize a political community whose citizens contribute to the common good. Readers first meet the king, queen, bishops (imagined as judges), knights, and rooks, here depicted as the king’s emissaries. They are then introduced to the eight different pawns, who represent trades that range from farmers to messengers … Paired with each profession is a list of moral codes … These pairings reinforce the idea of a kingdom organized around professional ties and associations, ties that are in turn regulated by moral law. – from the Introduction

Acknowledgments Introduction The Game and Playe of the Chesse 1. Preface and Table of Contents 2. Book One 3. Book Two 4. Book Three 5. Book Four Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Bibliography Glossary, Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Game and Playe of the Chesse
1. Preface and Table of Contents
2. Book One
3. Book Two
4. Book Three
5. Book Four
Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes
Bibliography
Glossary

  • By (author) William Caxton
  • Edited by Jenny Adams