The Game of Chess Moralized

...ges. And thus he fell asleep, as if he were in a state where he should forget life and death; and when he returned to himself, he thought to find this way? in which there are several various reasons. And from this deed—and the three are similar—treatises can be made in diverse ways, as you will see contained in the chapters that follow hereafter. Concerning the form of the King: and the things which belong to him.

A rectangular manuscript illumination is set within a frame of blue, red, and gold lines. On the left, a king is seated on a wide, ornate throne with armrests shaped like animal heads. He wears a crown and long robes, holding a golden scepter in his right hand and a red globus cruciger (orb) in his left. Facing him are four men dressed in long, flowing surcoats; the first man is kneeling with his hands joined in a gesture of prayer or supplication, while the three behind him stand in a similar posture of respect. The background features a delicate diamond-grid pattern.

We shall begin first with the King: his appearance must be such, for he must be seated upon the throne of his majesty, dressed and arrayed in purple—which is royal attire—and have the crown upon his head, holding in his right hand a royal scepter, and in his left hand an apple original: "pomme"; in this context, it refers to the globus cruciger or royal orb, a symbol of sovereign power over the world. or a round ball; for it is demonstrated by the crown, first of all, that he holds dignity and lordship over all others.

King, crown, scepter, apple (orb), purple, majesty, dignity, lordship