Viking Chess & Hnefatafl — The Jarl's Compendium

This is one of those pieces I made and genuinely couldn't stop looking at. A fully hand-carved Viking games set — board, pieces, and box — all made to order in my South Wales workshop. No two are the same. No shortcuts. No flat-pack.

Whether you want a single game or the full Jarl's Compendium with everything from Hnefatafl to horn shot glasses, this is the kind of gift that gets handed down.

Choose Your Set

• The Compendium — £250
  Hand-carved hardwood board, carved Chess set, carved Hnefatafl set, and Draughts — all housed in a carved wooden box. Everything in one beautiful package.
• The Jarl's Compendium — £450
  The full works. A fully customised carved oak box, Hnefatafl bone dice set, handmade dominoes, four horn shot glasses with carved initials, matching drinks coasters, and a set of 15th century playing cards — the first ever standardised card set in history. There is nothing else like this. An extraordinary piece for someone extraordinary.

Designed by Paul at Bushman Survival and crafted to his specification.

About Hnefatafl

Tafl games (pronounced tavl), also known as Hnefatafl, are ancient Northern European strategy board games — two armies of uneven numbers, one defending a king at the centre, one attacking from the edges. They were played across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Britain, and Ireland, and dominated the Viking Age before chess arrived in the 12th century. The original rules are lost to history. Reconstructed variants bring this brilliant game back to life.

Perfect For

• Extraordinary gifts for people who have everything
• Viking and Norse reenactment
• Tabletop gaming enthusiasts
• Display pieces and heirlooms
• LARP and living history events

All made to order. Message me if you'd like a custom design or carving on your set.

✔ Fully hand-carved — no two sets identical
✔ Hardwood board, pieces, and carved box
✔ Two options — £250 or £450
✔ Custom carving available on request
✔ Handmade in South Wales