On the shelves February 2009

Blackrock Editions is proud to present a new edition of this outstanding word game by Mr. Emile Lombard.

In this new edition, we tried to recreate the spirit its creator initially gave it.

To win a game of Jarnac, you will of course need to find words, you will need to show some tactical sense, but above all you will have to stay focused and to control your emotions!

Jarnac can be played in 6 different languages (French, English, German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish).

The game rules

.. ....... ....... ........ ....... ......

The "coup de Jarnac!"

A piece of history...

The "coup de Jarnac" comes from the judicial and armed duel that took place in Saint-Germain between Jarnac and La Chateigneraie, one of Henri II favourites. Even though La Chateigneraie was very close to Guy de Chabot, lord of Jarnac, he allowed himself to make a malicious gossip: he told Francis I that Jarnac had prided himself on being on friendly terms with Magdeleine de Puy-Guyon, his mother-in-law. The king then questioned Jarnac about it, and the young Lord gave the following answer:

"With all due respect, Your Highness, La Chateigneraie lied."

This denial went public and the two men asked Francis I for his permission to fight in a close field. The prince didn't grant them such permission. It's only during the first year of Henri II's reign that the duel was allowed.

Jarnac had learnt a very special move, which he never missed, and he used it against La Chateigneraie during the fight (July 10, 1547). His opponent was wounded at the back of the knee and subsequently died.

This move was all the more unexpected since La Chateigneraie, sure of his opponent's weakness, had prepared a fabulous meal to treat his friends on the day of the fight. The circumstances of this famous duel gave the meaning of an unexpected but fair and decisive move to the "coup de Jarnac".