Background
In 1324, Kilkenny businesswoman Alice Kyteler was accused of witchcraft after several of her husbands mysteriously died. The local bishop, Richard Ledrede, believed that his diocese was full of heretics and sorcerers. He was determined to assert his authority over the region, and relentlessly pursued Kyteler. The case led to the execution of Petronilla de Meath, the first person in the British Isles to be burned at the stake for witchcraft. Alice Kyteler herself is believed to have escaped to Britain.
The case is among the most famous of stories from Medieval Ireland, and I have been interested in it from a young age. After a visit to Kilkenny's Medieval Museum last year (which I highly recommend!), I was inspired to design these chess pieces. I've spent this week carving the designs into wood. They are made of poplar stained with black.
My design philosophy was to create a fairly abstract set of pieces. Since this is an event from many centuries ago, we have little idea about the appearances of the different figures in the story. Yet their personalities are clear from the accounts of the time. This inspired me to create simple pieces that illustrated the personalities involved.
I also thought that chess would be a good medium to depict the political struggle of the time. Much like chess, both sides sought to place their opponents' leader in an untenable position.
The Pieces
Here is the complete black side
The Pawns
The pawns have two points on their tops. These could represent the pointed ears of a black cat or the horns of a demon.
The Rooks
These represent Petronilla de Meath, Alice's servant. Both Alice and her son William escaped the Bishop's wrath, likely because of their wealth, while Petronilla was executed as a heretic. Several years later, the roof of St. Canice's Cathedral collapsed under its own weight, and some superstitions claim this was an act of revenge by Petronilla.
I have depicted her wearing a round cap. She wears her hair in a plait. This piece was especially difficult to research, as there isn't much information on the dress of poor servants.
The Knights
The knights are the most traditional pieces in this set in terms of design. I have sculpted them as horses. They represent the agents of Seneschal Arnold le Poer, who argued against Bishop Ledrede's prosecution of Alice. Le Poer even had Ledrede imprisoned, but nothing would stop him.
The Bishops
Ledrede's witnesses claimed the devil had sent Alice Kyteler a Familiar in the form of a shadowy man named Robin Artison. He was said to also appear in the form of a black cat.
The design of the bishops is very similar to the pawns. Again, the two points on Artison's head could represent horns or cat ears.
The Queen
The "Queen" in this set is William Outlaw, Alice's son from her first marriage. He was accused of taking the riches of Alice's murdered husbands. Owing to his friendship with Arnold le Poer and his wealth, he escaped execution. He was instead ordered to perform penance and feed the poor. Outlaw also purchased a new lead roof for Canice's Cathedral as a display of repentance.
He is depicted wearing a conical helmet in the Norman style.
The King
The "King" of the black pieces is Alice Kyteler, a Kilkenny merchant of Flemish ancestry. She was married four times, and each of her husbands died of strange illnesses. This led to the Bishop's suspicion that she was a witch.
Some historians believe she may really have poisoned her husbands, so that William could financially benefit. She escaped to England, and there is no further mention of her after the trial.
In this set, Kyteler is depicted wearing a stereotypical "witch's hat".
I'm still working on the white pieces, which will represent Bishop Ledrede and his followers. Hopefully I'll have them completed soon.
