I stumbled across this game by accident and just had to bring it into the shop. It’s one of the oldest known games out there—dating back as early as AD 400! The coolest part? The Vikings carried it with them to the lands they conquered, so you’re basically playing a piece of history.
The game itself is a mix of strategy and rugged charm, perfect for anyone who’s into history, strategy games, or just thinks Vikings are awesome (and really, who doesn’t?). I’ve only got a limited number and when they're gone, they're gone, so if you want to snag one of these ancient treasures, don't wait!
Hnefatafl, also known as Viking chess or The King's Table, is a two-player board game that's been played for over 1,600 years and is considered one of the oldest games in history. The game is played on an 11x11 grid and involves unequal forces, with the defenders (12 soldiers and a king) trying to protect the king from the attackers (24 soldiers). The defenders start the game in a cross formation in the center of the board, while the attackers are positioned around the edges. The goal is for the attackers to capture the king, or for the king to escape to one of the four corner squares. The game's rules are designed to simulate a siege, where the outnumbered defenders must protect their king using strategy and cunning.
The Viking Game must rank as one of history’s greatest board games. It was at its most popular during the Dark Ages in Northern Europe, a period of scant records and shifting populations. Like so much of the Dark Ages, our knowledge of Hnefatafl (sometimes abbreviated to tafl) is patchy; a mystery now half solved as a result of archaeological research. Our Hnefatafl game pieces are based on designs inspired by the famous Lewis chess pieces.
The Hnefatafl Game was popular in the Viking homelands in Scandinavia as early as AD400 and was carried by the Vikings to the lands they conquered. Over the centuries the game developed and different versions of the board have been found by archaeologists in sites from Ireland to Ukraine.
Occasionally referred to in manuscripts, the game was known as Hnefatafl which means literally ‘King’s table’. The study of these manuscripts and examination of the various types of board and pieces has enabled researchers to work out how the game was probably played. There is no doubt, however, that many versions of the rules existed at different places and at different times.
The Hnefatafl Game was last recorded as being played in Wales in 1587 and in Lapland in 1723. Its decline began in the 11th century as chess grew in popularity, and it soon lingered on only in remote county districts.
There are 39 Viking game pieces in the set, made of resin and designed to replicate hand carved walrus ivory in Viking style. The Viking game board is made of thick linen fabric with a printed played area.