MINIATURIST, Spanish
(active 1280s)

Book of Chess, Dice and Tables by Alfonso X the Wise, folio 97v

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.

At the end of the manuscript, the Game of Astronomical Tables is described. The full-page miniature on folio 97v depicts King Alfonso X, seated on a bench, and six other figures playing a game of astronomical tables for seven players. In this game, the number 'seven' is central. It is played by seven players, each setting seven stakes. Each player has seven game pieces, and a seven-sided die is used to play. The board is seven-sided, and each side has seven places for the game pieces. The game integrated the astrological signs and the day's planetary positions.