"the
Human Chess Game " of Marostica
Historical show
The story of the ChessGame dates back to 1454 when Marostica
belonged to the Venetian Republic.
It happened that two nobleman, Rinaldo D'Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara,
fell in love with the beautiful Lionora, daughter of Taddeo Parisio,
who was the Lord of the Marostica's castle.
As was the custom in that time, they challenged each other to a duel
to win the hand of Lionora.
The Lord, not wanting to make an enemy of either suiter or loose them
in a duel, forbade the encounter in conformity with Venetian Law.
He decided the two rivals should play a chess game: Lionora would take
the winner as her husband. He furthermore decided that the loser would
in any case join his family, marrying Oldrada, his younger sister. The
game should take place on the square in front of the Lower Castle on
a feast-day with armed living personcarrying the noble ensigns of Withes
and Blacks, in the presenceof the Lord, his noble daugther, the Lords
of Angarano and Vallonara, the noble court and the entire population.
Ha also decided the challenge should be honoured by an exibition of
armed man, foot-spkliers and knights, with fireworks and dances and
sounds.
So the armed men enter the field: we see archers and halberdiers, fool-soldiers
and knights, then the Lord and his noble court with an anxious Lionora,
who is secretely in love with one of the two rivals; the her faithful
nurse, noblemen and their ladies, the herold, the master of arms, falconers,
pageboys, maidens, standard holders, musicians, farmers and their wives;
the Whites and Blacks with their kings and queens, rooks and knights,
bishops and pawns: and the two suiters, who decide the moves.
Then tribulation for the victory, fireworks and music according to the
Lord's orders.
As lady Lionora had secretly informad the population, should the winner
be her beloved, the Lower Castle would be illuminated by whitelight,
so that everybody could share their joy.
This event is repeated today just like the first time, in a framework
of sumptuous costumes, multi-colour abnners, martial parades, exquisite
elegance.
A note of unique courtesy pervades everything; it inspires the whole
re-evocation of this ancient story which, from the darkness of remote
times, still lives today as a miracle of fantasy.
The orders are still given to characters and cast today in the dialect
of the "Serenissima Republic of Venezia".
The Human Chess Game will be played on the square of Marostica every
second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of September of the even years.
We have available the "Human Chess Game " videotape (duration
70 minutes)
DVD cost 20.00 Euro plus postage and handling, payable by PayPal.
