The Game of the Chesse (Caxton, facsimile)

tThe holy apostle and doctor of the people, Saint Paul, says in his epistle: "All that is written is written for our instruction original: "doctryne" and for our learning." Therefore, many noble scholars have endeavored to write and compile many notable works and histories so that they might come to the knowledge and understanding of those who are ignorant—of whom the number is infinite. Accordingly, Solomon says the same: that the number of fools is infinite.

Among all other good works, it is a work of very special recommendation to inform and help those who are not learned—and cannot discern wisdom from folly—to understand wisdom and virtue. Among these scholars, there was an excellent Doctor of Divinity in the Kingdom of France, of the Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem The Knights Hospitaller, a medieval Catholic military order, who shared this intent and has made a book of chess "moralized" A "moralized" book uses a subject, like chess, as an allegory to teach social and moral lessons..

This book came into my hands at the time I was living in Bruges, in the County of Flanders. When I had read and examined it, it seemed to me very necessary to have it available in English. To avoid idleness, and so that those who have not seen the book—nor understand French or Latin—could read it, I decided to translate it into our mother tongue.

When I had completed the translation, I had a certain number of them printed, which were immediately dispatched original: "depesshed"; meaning sold or sent off quickly and sold. Therefore, because this book is full of wholesome wisdom and is necessary for every social standing and rank original: "astate and degree", I have purposed to print it again, showing within it the figures of such persons...