playing cards questions??

[eejit101]

Historical Figures in the Deck
The original French cards actually were actually named and designed after popular historical figures. It should be noted that today's cards no longer hold any strong relation to these people. Representations have changed due to copying, differing artist renditions, and company branding that little remains linking them to this history.

♥ Hearts

• King of Hearts - Charlemagne
• Queen of Hearts - Judith (from the ApocryphalBook of Judith)
• Jack of Hearts - La Hire (common name given to Etienne de Vignoles, a famous French warrior)

♦ Diamonds

• King of Diamonds - Julius Caesar
• Queen of Diamonds - Rachel (from the Old Testament)
• Jack of Diamonds - Hector of Troy (alternately Roland of France - Hector may also be a reference to Sir Hector from the King Arthur legends)

♣ Clubs

• King of Clubs - Alexander the Great
• Queen of Clubs - Argine - The only unknown of the group. Since Argine is not a historical figure, it is suggested that it is simply an anagram for Regina which is Latin for "queen"
• Jack of Clubs - Lancelot

♠ Spades

• King of Spades - King David (did you read your Bible?)
• Queen of Spades - Pallas (aka Minerva or Athena, the goddess of war and reason)
• Jack of Spades - Hogier the Dane (a paladin of Charlemagne)