Decisions, decisions
Jan. 5th, 2010 09:10 pmFrom what my admittedly spotty research has turned up, it looks like there isn't much evidence for tafl from before the 9th century.
I build my garb and accoutrements around my showpieces: a belt set with reproduction plaques from the Sutton Hoo burial and a necklace based on one from Desborough, both late 7th century finds.
Hrm.
I can decorate the board with motifs taken from 7th century jewelry and metalwork and have it be suitable for my overall 'look,' if my persona were somehow able to acquire a board for a game which may not yet have existed.
Or I can decorate the board with motifs taken from 9th-10th century manuscripts and metalwork.
If I were not considering the Pentathlon, I would use the 7th century motifs. Which means that's what I should do. I'll document the discrepancy between the game and the decorations and let it go; I'm the one who gets to play with this toy, after all, so it may as well be to my taste.
I build my garb and accoutrements around my showpieces: a belt set with reproduction plaques from the Sutton Hoo burial and a necklace based on one from Desborough, both late 7th century finds.
Hrm.
I can decorate the board with motifs taken from 7th century jewelry and metalwork and have it be suitable for my overall 'look,' if my persona were somehow able to acquire a board for a game which may not yet have existed.
Or I can decorate the board with motifs taken from 9th-10th century manuscripts and metalwork.
If I were not considering the Pentathlon, I would use the 7th century motifs. Which means that's what I should do. I'll document the discrepancy between the game and the decorations and let it go; I'm the one who gets to play with this toy, after all, so it may as well be to my taste.