The presence of bishops among the Lewis chessmen is not only significant in terms of dating the pieces, but also about Norman self-representation and art.
Although it is not certain whether the Lewis bishops are the first chess bishops, the bishop likely appeared as a chess piece only in the twelfth century. The Lewis bishops are the oldest discovered so far.
Although he is seated beneath the king and queen in his role as leaper, his presence symbolises the power relations of feudal society: workers, warriors or knights (aristocracy and monarchs), and priests (church).
The power struggles and the (military) involvement of bishops were epidemic in Latin Europe in this period. The active role of warrior-bishops was a result of the growing self-confidence, power and numbers of (wealthy) bishoprics and bishops.
The murder of Thomas Becket (archbishop of Canterbury) in 1170 was another incident that stressed the political involvement of bishops in worldly affairs.
The appearance of the warrior-bishop on the chessboard came not out of the blue. Chess is a secular war game and was one of the most prestigious games among the aristocracy in the twelfth century.
The Church’s attitude toward chess became increasingly relaxed at the end of the twelfth century, after a long period of disapproval. One interesting question remains, however. Why did the bishop make its first appearance on a Norwegian chessboard?
The Bayeux tapestry and the foundation of Norman kingdoms and settlements throughout Europe give some indications. The Bayeux Tapestry, commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux (1036-1097) around 1075, depicts the Norman Odo as a warrior, adviser, and close ally of King William the Conqueror (1028-1087).
This epic depicts the bishop in a secular aristocratic setting, seated and fighting alongside the king and his entourage. Another picture, almost 50 years later, shows King Henry V (1086-1125) and Maude or Matilda (1102 –1167) at their 1125 marriage, accompanied on the left and right by bishops.
The political situation in Norway after 1153, the year of the foundation of the bishopric of Nidaros (Trondheim), also led to bishops’ involvement in worldly affairs.
The prestige of bishops and the Church was at its peak as a result of the crusades, the reform of the Church, the dominant political and cultural role and function and the appearance of new and powerful monastic orders and abbeys.
The bishop was omnipresent, on the battlefield, in politics and in religious affairs. This background could have inspired Norwegian aristocrats, kings or bishops to commission chessboards with bishops.
(Source: J. Robinson, The Lewis Chessmen, London 2009).