MINIATURIST, Spanish
(active 1280s)

Book of Chess, Dice and Tables by Alfonso X the Wise, folio 88v

1283
Manuscript (T-I-6), parchment, 404 x 274 mm
Real Biblioteca de San Lorenzo, El Escorial

This manuscript was begun and completed in the city of Seville in 1283. It is a compendium of games composed of three parts: chess (folios 1r-63v), representing intellect; dice (folios 65r-71v), representing chance; and tables (folios 72r-79v), representing a combination of both. At the end of the manuscript (folios 81r-97v), new games such as alquerque, tables, and astronomical board are also included.

The full-page miniature on folio 88v features four figures from diverse social classes playing a four-player version of chess.

The four-seasons chess uses a standard chess board and splits the usual two forces into four, giving each player four pieces and four pawns. It is unusual in that the pawns are split, with two going in each direction from the corner where their player starts. A cross is marked on the board to help reinforce this.