This first chapter of the first treatise original: "tractate"; a formal written work on a subject shows under what king the game of Chess was found and made. Chapter One original: "Capitulo primo"

A woodcut illustration framed by a black border. On the right, a man in a short tunic and boots holds a large axe over his right shoulder; a small mark resembling the letter 'y' is visible on the axe blade. He stands over a pile of dismembered human remains, including a torso and a severed head wearing a crown. On the left, three men in long robes and elaborate headgear (one wearing a crown) look on. In the background, four large birds are shown, with three in flight and one on the ground near the remains. A small cluster of buildings and a single tree are visible in the far distance.

Among all the evil qualities original: "condicions" and signs that may be in a man, the first and the greatest is this: when he does not fear nor dread displeasing and making God angry through sin, and the people angry by living in a disorderly way original: "disordonatly". This is true when he does not care original: "retcheth" nor pay attention to those who rebuke original: "repreue" him and his vices, but instead kills them.

He acts in such a way as the Emperor Nero did, who had his master Seneca killed because he could not bear to be rebuked and taught by him. In a similar way, there was once a king in Babylon who was named...