Historically called the
BISHOP

ELEPHANT
WISE MAN
ARCHER
RUNNER
MESSENGER
FOOL or JESTER
OFFICER
HUNTER

 

The Bishop - Value 6 - moves along an unobstructed path any number of squares diagonally. As can be seen in the diagram, a Bishop only occupies squares of its starting colour.

 

• GREAT CHESS optional power.
  The Bishop may also retire his own Soldiers (Pawns) by moving to their square - and retiring them from the game.

 

The Catholic Church was very powerful in most parts of Medieval Europe and this made the Bishop powerful as well. Not only that, but the church received a ‘tithe’ of 10 percent from all the people. This made some Bishops very rich. Medieval warrior bishops often lead their own knights and infantry into battle, particularly during the crusades, and they personally led medieval armies to protect their worldly realms. Since it was forbidden to spill christian blood, some warrior bishops used blunt clubbing weapons like the mace to circumvent this prohibition.