The Book of Chess

They spoke of the king
who was also well-known in the land,
as has been described by many
who had seen him themselves.
This much is known to us.
Yet we know well that they possess
much wisdom and steadfastness,
and we are well-informed
that more is reported of him:
that the king committed
many evils that are openly known,
because in his prideful spirit
he persisted in all his misdeeds. original: "missetat"; refers to the king's lawless and cruel actions.
And though they gave him counsel
and were merciful toward him,
no other could break his [wicked] habits.
Therefore, we should not live wickedly,
but gladly give ourselves to justice.
For he used such words
as he had heard from us,
which sustain the people everywhere
and do not toss them about like a ball A metaphor for instability; without justice, a people is as unstable as a ball being thrown around.
where one is good to the other.
So it is now in the land
concerning such news of you.
"You are a seeker," original: "suocher"; in medieval German, this term often refers to a philosopher or a "searcher for truth."
the master The "master" here is Xerxes (Philometer), the philosopher credited in medieval legend with inventing chess. took these words
and thought that he would show him
openly that he was
a rich seeker [of wisdom],
as the people had said
and as had been established before.
Now he took counsel with himself

how he might teach the people,
for he had what he desired:
[a way] to escape death. Xerxes feared that if he corrected the king directly, he would be executed, just like the previous counselors.
And he thought that he possessed
both wisdom and goodness.
He revealed his mind to the king
with courtly things,
and with skill original: "finge"; related to the ability to devise or fashion something skillfully. brought it about
that the king became somewhat gentle.
That would be the salvation of him and his people.
So he thought on it again and again.
At last, it came to his mind
that he would invent this very game original: "spil"; referring to the game of Chess (Schachzabel).
and announce it to the court immediately.
The lords from everywhere—
who were there in countless numbers,
as they are in a king's court:
dukes, counts, and their children,
free knights, and squires,
many of noble lineage—
they all learned the game.
And it was a pastime for them there,
for they passed many an hour with it.
It seemed to them a clever discovery,
and it pleased them greatly,
more than the gambling games of old. original: "ludere"; refers to games of chance or dice-playing, which were often seen as sinful compared to the intellectual nature of chess.
The king had it there with him,
and each took it up according to his manner
and placed the pieces as best he could
when the game was set out.
And so it came to the master...