Sir Frederick Madden states in p. 280: Snorr Sturleson relates an
anecdote of King Canute, which would prove that monarch to have
been a great lover of the game. About the year 1028, whilst
engaged in his warfare against the Kings of Norway and Sweden,
Canute rode over to Roskild, to visit Earl Ulfr, the husband of
his sister. An entertainment was prepared for their guest, but
the King was out of spirits and did not enjoy it. They attempted
to restore his cheerfulness by conversation, but without success.
At length, the Earl challenged the King to play at chess, which
was accepted, and, the chess table being brought, they sat down to
their game. After they had played awhile, the King made a false
move, in consequence of which Ulfr captured one of his opponent's
Knights. But the King would not allow it, and replacing his piece,
bade the Earl play differently. On this, the Earl (who was of a
hasty disposition) waxing angry, overturned the chess board and
left the room. The King called after him, saying, Ulfr, thou coward,
dost thou thus flee? The Earl returned to the door, and said: You
would have taken a longer flight in the river Helga, had I not come
to your assistance, when the Swedes beat you like a dog--you did not
then call me a coward. He then retired, and some days afterwards
was murdered by the King's orders. This anecdote is corroborated
(so far as the chess is concerned) by a passage in the anonymous
history of the monastery of Ramsey, composed probably about the
time of Henry I, where we are told, that Bishop Etheric coming
one night at a late hour on urgent business to King Canute,
found the monarch and his courtiers amusing themselves at the
games of dice and chess.
In the year 1157 the Kingdom of Denmark was divided between three
Monarchs: Svend, Valdemar, and Canute the Fifth. This took place
after many years of contest, between Svend on the one hand, and
Valdemar and Canute on the other. Each King was to rule over a
third of the realm, and each swore before the altar to preserve
the contract inviolate. But it did not last long. Canute asked his
brother monarchs to spend a few days of festivity with him at
Roskilde. Svend came with a crowd of soldiers. One evening
Valdemar sat at the chess board where the battle waxed warm.
His adversary was a nobleman, and Canute sat by Valdemar's side
watching the game. All at once, Canute observing some suspicious
consultations between Svend and one of his Captains, and feeling
a presentiment of evil, threw his arms round Valdemar's neck and
kissed him. Why so merry, cousin? asked the latter without
removing his eyes from the chess board. You will soon see, replied
Canute in an apprehensive tone. Just then the armed soldiery of
Svend rushed into the apartment, slew Canute and severely wounded
Valdemar. The last named having strapped his mantle about his arm
to serve for a shield, extinguished the lights, and fought like
a lion. He succeeded in making his escape and is known in history
as the powerful Valdemar the Great.
A century later chess again makes its appearance upon the historic
stage of Denmark. At that time, Eric Plovpenning or Ploughpenny as
he was called, ruled wisely and well over the fierce and war loving
people of that country. In the summer of 1250 he was on his way to
defend the town of Rendsborg against the attack of some German
bands, when he received an invitation from his brother Abel to
visit him in Slesvig. The unsuspecting and open hearted Eric
accepted. After dinner, on the 9th of August, the same day of his
arrival, he retired to a little pleasure house near the water to
enjoy a quiet game of chess with a knight whose name was Henrik
Kerkwerder. As they were playing the black-hearted Abel entered
the room, marched up to the chess table, accompanied by several
of his followers, and began to overwhelm the King with abuse. At
length, the unfortunate Eric was thrown into chains and was basely
murdered that very night.
The American Chess Monthly gives the following anecdote, but does
not state its source.