One of the most striking women that played a large role in the spread and popularization of chess was Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204). Thanks to her grandfather William IX of Aquitaine, Eleanor, who spent her childhood surrounded by games, pros, art , and music carried a lightheartedness that she spread through all of her travels. During her life, Eleanor helped spread chess through France and England and not only popularized the game, but as Yalom suggests, her illustrious reign may have even helped enhance the prestige of the queen on the board(105). Eleanor's strength as she ruled with both her husbands as well as on her own is very reminiscent of the extreme powers held by the chess queen on the current board.
During Eleanor's reign both men and women were expected to play the game of chess. Children were trained early in the game of chess as it was expected of any well-born lady as well as any young gentlemen. It is very interesting, as Yalom points out, that no misogynistic distinctions were drawn between the sexes in chess (95). For young men, the game was meant to introduce military tactics. As the boys grew into men the ability became a sign of wisdom, as displayed in The Son of Roland where only the "wisest and the oldest" of the knights played the game of chess. The game was so integral in life at this time that even royal prisoners, if allowed nothing else, were at least allowed a chess partner. Soldiers even played the game in their spare time between the seasons war.
Chess, however popular during this time, was not beloved by all. The Christian church frowned upon the playing of this game because of the violence it was beginning to spread, especially among the commoners and in gambling houses. Most of the attempts to ban chess stayed within the church though, and even then, the monks still played the game (Yalom 103). Even Jewish rabbi's frowned upon the game of chess and some even declared that professional chess players could not be trusted in court (Yalom 104). Just as the monks ignored the Archbishops bans on chess, the rabbi's pronouncement against chess fell on deaf ears. The game was even played on Jews on the Sabbath, without any stakes of course (Yalom 104). Besides the few religious denouncements of chess, the game continued to gain extreme popularity during Eleanor's rule.
Eleanor did more than just spread the game of chess, she helped turn it into a language for lovers as well. The unique Aquitainean examination of love between the sexes became a hot topic in liteature all over Europe. Chess was not only military strategy game for boys or social expectation for girls, it was more. The chess board became the playing field for love and sex (Yalom 124). An entirely new language of love arose out of the game of chess during this era. Some of the literature directly related to the sexual conquests of men and women, while others alluded to the sanctity of marriage, especially between a king and his queen. Some literature focused more on jest and the fun of the chase of a suitor. The troubadour's spirit was truly expressed through the game of chess.
Eleanor's upbringing in Aquitaine greatly impacted her outlook on life and the way in which she spread the troubadour spirit and the game of chess through Europe. The game of chess was widely accepted by all and even expected of nobles during her rule. Even though many religious clerics denounced the game, chess still spread like wild fire thanks to Eleanor. The game of chess wasn't the only thing Eleanor helped spread, the language of love transcribed through chess is arguably one of her most appealing contributions to the game.
Bibliography:
Yalom, Marilyn. The Birth of the Chess Queen. New York: Harper Collins, 2004.
Comments