Summary
QUESTIONWhy is there a one-eyed King (the King of Diamonds) and two one-eyed Jacks (Hearts and Spades) in a pack of playing cards? Why do only three Kings hold swords? THE English or international style of playing cards are derived from designs produced in Rouen, France, in the 16th century. These are beautifully executed pictures of court personages with the typical court costumes of the time.
A pack of cards designed by Pierre Marechal around 1565 is preserved in the museum at Rouen and is the likely source of today's packs.See the full content of this document
Extract
The King of Swords
In Marechal's original paintings, the Jacks of Spades and Hearts and the King of Diamonds are pictured from the rear with their heads turned back over their shoulders so they're seen in profile, showing only one eye.
These designs were badly copied by unskilled artisans in England who produced the distortions from whic...See the full content of this document
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