More Irish Chess

      "During the 14th and 15th centuries, when Chess was the noble game of the land, Dr. Hyde states that it was also much played both in Wales and Ireland, and that in the latter country some of their best estates depended upon it, and that it was a cnstomary ngreement between two noble families that one should engage the other every year at this game. These statements are, however, doubted by Mr. Barrington, who says that neither of these countries were much civilized before the time of Henry VIII. ; and with resect to both Ireland and Wales he apprehends that
they have no term for this game in their respective languages.
     For my own part I can see nothing impossible in what Dr. Hyde relates, as no very high degree of civilization is necessary ; and from the certain antiquity of the game in Scotland and Ireland, I should incline to think his accounts may be correct. Mr. Barrington's not having found their words for Chess is no proof, as the game might pass by its foreign name. So, although Chess appears to have been known in our country in the time of Canute, I am not aware that there is any word for the game to be found in our Saxon dictionaries."

                           from Chess Player
                           by Kling and Horwitz
                           Published in London by R. Hastings, 1852