![]() ![]() The walrus ivory from which this piece is made and its intricate workmanship suggest that it belonged to somebody with wealth, who also had the leisure time to play the game. Tablemen were made from a variety of materials including bone, wood and even leather. This has led to the interpretation of this counter as a representation of the biblical Samson tearing down the gates of the city of Gaza, as told in Judges, chapter 16, verses 1-3. A complete set of pieces found along with their board in Gloucester in 1983 is typical in that while some show aspects of courtly life such as feasting and hunting, the majority have mythological and religious scenes. It is likely that this piece was one of a full set of counters, especially as its border is raised to allow pieces to be stacked without damaging the design in the centre. The castle gates, one in the foreground of the counter and the other between the knightâs legs, have fallen from their hinges. A structure can be seen within the castle which is also constructed from stone blocks and its arched windows allow us a view of two figures inside. The doorway shown in the wall has a round arch typical of this style of architecture. The castle itself is of Norman style, with mortared stone blocks forming the walls and topped with battlements. The knight is wearing the Norman mail coat and conical helmet with nosepiece that we are familiar with from the Bayeux tapestry. It shows an enlarged figure of a knight standing on the drawbridge of what seems to be a castle. This object is called a tableman and is a counter from a game called tabula or Tables, similar to backgammon, where each side had 15 counters and raced to remove them from the board.
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